apartheid
What to know
Apartheid refers to a system of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression designed to establish and maintain domination by one racial group over another. It is characterized by laws, policies, and practices that intentionally deny equal rights and freedoms to targeted populations. The United Nations General Assembly designated apartheid as a crime against humanity in 1966, and the 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid codified its definition under international law.
Acts that constitute apartheid include murder, torture, inhumane treatment, arbitrary detention, or forced displacement of members of a racial group; the deliberate creation of living conditions intended to cause physical destruction; and the enactment of discriminatory laws that restrict political, social, economic, and cultural participation. Additional examples include the segregation of populations into separate residential areas, the prohibition of interracial marriage, and the persecution of those who oppose racial domination.
The term apartheid originated in South Africa, where, from 1948 to 1994, the government enforced a system of racial segregation, privileging white citizens while denying Black South Africans fundamental rights. Under apartheid, legislation such as the Population Registration Act classified citizens by race; interracial marriage and relationships were criminalized; and separate facilities were established for healthcare, education, and transportation. Black South Africans were prohibited from voting or holding political office and were forcibly relocated to designated rural areas called “homelands.” The system of laws restricted movement and work opportunities, further entrenching racial and economic inequality.
Many aspects of South African apartheid parallel the racial segregation laws in the United States, commonly known as Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial separation between Black and white Americans from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Both systems relied on structural racism, though one key difference is that Black people were a majority population in South Africa but a minority in the United States.
It is important to note that apartheid has a specific legal definition under international law. While many forms of discrimination or systemic bias exist worldwide, not all meet the legal threshold for apartheid. Consulting credible research, human rights documentation, and legal experts can help ensure accurate use of the term. Clearly outlining which policies or actions meet that definition helps prevent overgeneralization and maintains factual precision.
Assessing how your newsroom and others report on apartheid or similar systems of racial domination can help reveal coverage disparities across regions. Recognizing these differences helps prevent ideological bias and promotes consistency in applying international legal standards. Governments may at times accuse certain countries of crimes against humanity while overlooking others; grounding coverage in verified reports from human rights organizations supports neutrality and accuracy.
In today’s reporting landscape, journalists covering Israel and Palestine may face decisions about whether and how to reference apartheid. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and numerous organizations—including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B’Tselem, and a United Nations report—have described Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as meeting the legal definition of apartheid. The ICJ’s 2024 ruling cited actions such as the establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, appropriation of Palestinian natural resources, forced displacement, and violence against civilians, as well as unequal legal systems governing Israelis and Palestinians. These include the detention of Palestinians without charge, restrictions on movement, segregated roads and license plates, and the 440-mile barrier that cuts through Palestinian territory, separating it from Israel. The siege of Gaza and restrictions on goods and movement have also been identified as contributing factors.
The Israeli government and its allies dispute these findings, rejecting the characterization of its policies as apartheid. When reporting on these or similar denials, centering factual evidence and clearly attributing sources ensures balanced and transparent coverage. Avoid repeating unverified or misleading claims, and clarify whether your newsroom—or other independent bodies—has verified or refuted those assertions. Doing so provides audiences with essential context and helps prevent the spread of misinformation while maintaining integrity and accuracy in reporting.
Additional resources
- A history of apartheid in South Africa (South African History online)
- Apartheid in Israel: An analysis of Israel’s laws and policies and the responsibilities of US academic and other institutions (University Network for Human Rights, Cornell Law School, Boston University School of Law)
- End of Apartheid in South Africa? Not in economic terms (The New York Times)
Summary
Apartheid refers to a system of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression designed to establish and maintain domination by one racial group over another. It is characterized by laws, policies, and practices that intentionally deny equal rights and freedoms to targeted populations. It is important to note that apartheid has a specific legal definition under international law. While many forms of discrimination or systemic bias exist worldwide, not all meet the legal threshold for apartheid. Consulting credible research, human rights documentation, and legal experts can help ensure accurate use of the term.