The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 1973 declaring apartheid as a

The UN declared apartheid a crime against humanity in 1973. This meant apartheid was as serious as genocide or slavery. The declaration increased international pressure on South Africa.

Apartheid was never legal under international law. It was racial discrimination but the UN classification went further. South Africa claimed it was domestic policy, but the world rejected this argument.

This UN resolution isolated South Africa diplomatically. It helped justify sanctions and the global anti-apartheid movement.