Definition:
A movement in South Africa started-up in 1983 to co-ordinate various groups in the country who campaigned against conscription and encouraged conscientious objection. The ECC had wide support ? students, religious groups, and even the UN. Activities of the ECC were curtailed by the South African Apartheid government in 1988 ? 89, but restrictions were lifted in 1990 as part of the move towards multi-racial government.
Conscription was compulsory for white men, and they were expected to perform military service at regular intervals. Conscripts became members of the South African Defence Force, SADF, or the South African Police, SAP. They were used to enforce the government's stance against liberation movements and anti-apartheid activists, as well as fighting the "communist onslaught" in South West Africa.
A movement in South Africa started-up in 1983 to co-ordinate various groups in the country who campaigned against conscription and encouraged conscientious objection. The ECC had wide support ? students, religious groups, and even the UN. Activities of the ECC were curtailed by the South African Apartheid government in 1988 ? 89, but restrictions were lifted in 1990 as part of the move towards multi-racial government.
Conscription was compulsory for white men, and they were expected to perform military service at regular intervals. Conscripts became members of the South African Defence Force, SADF, or the South African Police, SAP. They were used to enforce the government's stance against liberation movements and anti-apartheid activists, as well as fighting the "communist onslaught" in South West Africa.