Description

This Declaration calling for the release of Nelson Mandela was part of a campaign launched in response to a petition distributed by the Sunday Post in South Africa in 1980 and supported by the South African Council of Churches. It was endorsed by trade unionists, politicians, academics and artists, including actors Peggy Ashcroft, Miriam Karlin and Glenda Jackson. It was presented at a ceremony in the House of Commons held on 1 April 1981 to a group of MPs for onward presentation to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and to H.E. J V Ghebo, Ghana's UN ambassador, for presentation to the UN Secretary General.