What is the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (CSPA)?

The International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (CSPA) is an international treaty, adopted by the United Nations in 1973, that seeks to criminalize and punish the system of racial segregation known as “apartheid.” Apartheid was the system used by the government of South Africa between 1948 and 1994, which discriminated against non-whites and oppressed them with institutionalized racism. The CSPA makes it a crime to practice, support, or encourage apartheid, and calls on all parties to criminalize it. Article 1 of the CSPA defines apartheid as “inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them.” It goes on to list specific examples of acts that constitute apartheid, including denial of the right to vote, to an education, or to health care, based on race or ethnicity. The CSPA is legally binding on all countries which have agreed to it, including Oregon. This means that any conduct related to the crime of apartheid that takes place in Oregon, or anywhere else in the world, is punishable under the laws of the CSPA. Furthermore, any country that is a party to the CSPA is obligated to take measures to investigate and prosecute acts of apartheid that occur in its jurisdiction.

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