International Defense and Aid Fund for Southern Africa records

The International Defense and Aid Fund for Southern Africa is a humanitarian organization which has worked consistently for peaceful and constructive solutions to the problems created by racial oppression in Southern Africa. Known in African and U.N. circles as "Defense and Aid" or simply "D&A," the organization was established in 1964. It grew directly out of the ad hoc committees that were formed in both Britain and South Africa in 1952 for the purpose of raising funds for legal defense and humanitarian aid for victims of injustice, including political prisoners, banned persons and their families. A United States committee was established in 1972.

Purpose of Defense and Aid:

The objectives of D&A are:

The primary concern, expressed in clauses (1) and (2) above, is that the needs of those who are victimized by southern Africa's unjust legal systems be met. This means directing funds for the legal defense of detainees and those charged with political offenses; for education courses and reading material for individuals serving prison sentences; and for material assistance to the "banned", the restricted, the families of political prisoners, and, as far as possible, to the hundreds of thousands of people sent to resettlement camps. Funds are raised for these urgent needs both independently and in cooperation with churches, lawyers and humanitarian organizations. Clause (1) is perhaps the most important because fundraising for legal aid for political prisoners is illegal in South Africa.

The secondary concern, expressed in clause (3), is that the world know the truth about what is happening in Southern Africa and understand the full implications of white minority rule in this area. To this end, regular publications (including pamphlets and newsletters) are produced and distributed at public meetings held by the trustees, sponsors, supporters and staff of D&A.

The general purpose of the Defense and Aid Fund has a dual character humanitarian and political in the sense that it is not possible to act humanely in a dehumanizing situation without such actions having some kind of political consequences. But the raison d'être of the Fund is essentially the humanitarian purpose stated above, though the political consequences which may ensue are generally considered desirable. For example, a clear consequence of the humanitarian aid is to strengthen the resistance by reducing sentences and even saving lives on appeal; by exposing torture of political prisoners; and by caring for dependents left without support.

Extracted from IDAF instructional material.