The UN-supervised independence transition begins

President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act after sustained Japanese American advocacy. It provided an apology and authorized payments to eligible surviving victims of wartime...

The federal government announced a settlement negotiated with the National Association of Japanese Canadians. It acknowledged wartime injustices and included individual compensation and resources...

Brazil's Constitution made racism a crime not subject to bail or a limitation period and recognized land rights of qualifying quilombola communities in transitional Article 68. These provisions...

The High Court invalidated Queensland legislation intended to extinguish rights in the Torres Strait islands. The decision allowed the Meriam plaintiffs' land claim to continue. Antidiscrimination law...

Brazil sanctioned Law 7,716, defining offences based on prejudice of race or colour, including discriminatory exclusion from employment and access to services. It supplied criminal-law mechanisms...

The International Labour Conference adopted Convention 169 in Geneva. It addressed Indigenous and tribal peoples' institutions, cultures, land and participation, including consultation through...

The OAU's ad hoc committee adopted the Harare Declaration, developed through ANC diplomacy. It set out a route towards negotiations and a nonracial democracy, including removal of obstacles to free...

Desmond Tutu led a large anti-apartheid march in Cape Town, with an estimated 30,000 participants. Demands included freedom for Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners. Public mobilization...

Voting for a constituent assembly began and continued through 11 November under UN supervision. The elected body would prepare the constitution for independence. Participation in this process...

Delegates from a broad range of organizations gathered at the University of the Witwatersrand for the Conference for a Democratic Future. The conference endorsed the Harare Declaration. It expressed...