World attention has been drawn in recent years to the intensification of organized militant action by Africans against the white ruling powers of southern Africa. The incidents have been sporadic, inadequately organized and equipped, doomed to fail from the outset. Nevertheless the governments have responded with comprehensive legislative and executive action to maintain “law and order” — undoubtedly a legitimate responsibility of any government, but one presumably to be reached by means that accord with norms of justice and the rule of law. Thirty-six men from South West Africa are currently being tried in South Africa for some allegedly terrorist activities on the basis of a law reflective more of a government that intends to maintain power by any means than one that is cognizant of standards of justice with which it, as much as any individual, should comply.