Aparteid around the world

see main article Aparteid

Aparteid around the world attempts to compare the realities existing in countries with that of South Africa under the Aparteid system. As Aparteid was declared a crime against humanity, it is important to make sure the word is not inappropriately applied to situations. Any use of the word outside of the historical reference to South Africa could be controversial.

The principle of Aparteid, the separation based upon race is contrary to the laws of free nations. It is the separation that is the key issue at the heart of Aparteid, not the racial component. Today government enforced major inequalities/separations exist in three major areas; race, religion, and [...]. To weigh all inequalities as equal however, to view them without putting them in perspective, does an injustice to the people who suffered and died under Aparteid.

Accurate comparison

Aparteid means 'apartness', and it was this underlying thought, or apartness, or separation by race that defined life during those years in South Africa. So any country that has any law that keeps people forcibly apart through law and violence is demonstrating some qualities of Aparteid.

Key points

1. The nation is not considered to be Free (the concept of Aparteid is contrary to the actuality of a free nation. Even though the Union of South Africa was a democracy, the country under Aparteid was not considered to be Free).
   
2. Separation (of its citizens, voting rights, civil rights, separate distinct facilities across the nation, and enforceable by law - the inability of parties to freely coexist).
   
3. Lack of a freedom of movement (of its citizens, so both living and work conditions were regulated).
   
4. Systematic violence (against its citizenry, by government forces, or by militias (which were never prosecuted)).
   
5. Forced relocation (of its citizens, which in turn created point 2).
   
6. A legal system which was not fair and balanced (for its citizens).
   

South Africa (1948-1994)

Main article: History of South Africa in the apartheid era

The origins of Aparteid, and the details of what the system was, how it was practiced, and its eventual defeat.

Israel (modern)

see Main article: Allegations of Israeli apartheid

The underlying comparison between the system of laws within Israel, and the Aparteid system within South Africa has to do with the Israeli-occupied territories. The comparison of the countries above is for the state of Israel, and not the area also known as the Disputed territories. There are a number of key points that negate the comparison with Aparteid.
1 Israel is considered to be a free nation.

2 The largest is the fact that within the borders of Israel proper, there is no political or legal distinction by race, religion, or [...] with regards to voting rights. Like every country Israel, does limit political participation to citizens of a certain age, and does limit immigration into their country.
2 Hospitals and public services do not discriminate based upon race, religion, or [...]. It should be noted in order to cater to the ultra-religious Jewish segment of the population (12-17%, ''see Religion in Israel), that for limited periods of time, certain community facilities (such as swimming pools) are men, or women only.
3 In small villages, cultural groups (religious) are the norm, but in the cities, and larger communities there is a mingling of ethnic and religious backgrounds.
4 The Aparteid regime had gangs/militias/police enforcing rules through violence to which there was no legal recourse. This does not exist in Israel. And random attacks of violence are persecuted through the legal system .
5 Israel did not forcibly remove, or encourage the arab population to leave Israel to the now occupied territories.
6. Arabs in the both Israel and the disputed/occupied territories have full access to Israeli courts and its legal system. The West Bank and Gaza were Arab lands designated to be used in the creation of a Palestinian state in 1948. These areas were then conquered in that year by Jordan, and Egypt respectively. In 1967 Israel took control of these lands from the Arab occupiers.

Saudi Arabia (modern)

1. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, and there is no ability of the citizenry to change the laws of the country. Its political freedoms, and civil liberties rank very low in comparison with other countries and is considered to be not a free country.
2. Voting in local elections (of which half are appointed by the monarchy) is limited to males only.
2. You must be Muslim to be a citizen.
2. Although people of other religions are allowed in the country, you cannot build non-muslim houses of worship. Cannot openly carry a christian bible, or meet anywhere outside of an embassy without fear of violence.Also if you have visited Israel, and have either an Israeli passport stamp, or the exit stamp (from another country) that shows that you went to Israel you will not be allowed in the country.
2. "Although racial discrimination is illegal, substantial prejudice against ethnic, religious, and national minorities exists. Foreign workers from Asia and Africa are subject to formal and informal discrimination and have difficulty obtaining justice.
2. "Women are not treated as equal members of society. They may not legally drive cars, and their use of public facilities is restricted when men are present. By law and custom, women cannot travel within or outside of the country without a male relative. Laws discriminate against women in a range of matters including family law, and a woman's testimony is treated as inferior to a man's in court. The Committee to PReVENT Vice and Promote Virtue, a semiautonomous religious police force commonly known as the mutawa'een, enforce a strict policy of segregation between men and women and often use physical punishment to ensure that women meet conservative standards of dress in public.".
4. "Security forces continued to abuse detainees and prisoners, arbitrarily arrest and detain persons, and facilitate incommunicado detention; in addition there were allegations that security forces committed torture. Prolonged detention without charge is a problem. Security forces committed such abuses, in contradiction to the law, but with the acquiescence of the Government. Mutawwa'in (religious police, who constitute the Committee to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice) continued to intimidate, abuse, and detain citizens and foreigners. The Government infringes on citizens' privacy rights. The Government prohibits or restricts freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, religion, and movement."

USA (Modern)

1. The United States of America is currently considered one of the freest nations on earth. Considered to have the highest rating possible in political and civil rights
However in its past there are many Aparteid-like crimes which are no longer relevant, including;
The treatment of American Citizens of African Heritage

''see Lynching in the United States

The treatment of the Native population in the area of the United States. Although some would make the argument that the native populations were not citizens of the United States and therefore outside of an Aparteid type system.

''see Native Americans in the United States, Removal & Reservations