* Iran: Total trade has grown more than 25 000% since 1993, and last year stood at R5,7-billion. Main South African exports include cereals, iron, steel and machinery including nuclear equipment. Main imports are oil.
Amnesty International says Iranian authorities detain thousands of political prisoners, and often punishes offenders by public flogging, amputations and executions. In one instance last September a bride and her sister were sentenced to 85 and 75 lashes respectively for dancing with men at a wedding, and another 127 guests were sentenced to lashes or fines.
* Saudi Arabia: Total trade was R1,3- billion last year, 277% higher than in 1993. Oil and its by-products are the main imports, while South Africa’s main exports are fruit and nuts.
The Saudi Arabians also believe in public floggings and amputations, while political prisoners have alleged ill-treatment including beating the soles of feet and electric shocks, particularly around the genitals. Trade unions and opposition parties are banned, while human rights activists are harassed.
* Malaysia: Trade was R2,1-billion last year, compared to R609-million in 1993. South Africa’s exports include precious stones and cereals, and Malaysia is selling us animal and vegetable fat and rubber.
White collar criminals, drug offenders, rapists, kidnappers and robbers can all expect to be caned as part of their punishment in Malaysia. Under the country’s Internal Security Act, the government can detain anyone suspected of threatening national security for up to two years, without charge or trial.
* Indonesia: Total trade has risen 319% in three years to R1,3-billion last year. Main exports here are rubber, coffee and tea. We sell them wood, iron and steel.
Amnesty says Indonesian authorities restrict civil liberties and harass government critics and human rights activists, banning publications that might contain criticism. It has cracked down on dissidents in East Timor who are seeking independence and arrested scores of activists. Torture and other ill-treatment of suspects is common.
* India: Trade has jumped nearly 800% in three years, to R2,3-billion last year. We import hides, skins, and textiles. India buys South Africa’s iron and steel, wood and chemicals.
Detainees, either criminal or political, can expect to be tortured as the Indian police and military strive to extract information and confessions – beatings, hanging by the wrists or ankles and electric shocks are not unusual. For women prisoners, rape by their guards is common.
* China: Trade last year with this country was R3,6-billion, R2-billion more than in 1993. China’s main exports here are cheap shoes and electrical goods. They buy South African ores, vehicles and copper.
Seven years after Tiananmen Square, China looks no more favourably on basic human rights, detaining thousands of political prisoners a year and routinely torturing them. The rights of the accused to adequate defence are severely limited, and many of those prisoners that aren’t shot eke out their sentence in “labour” camps.