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Self Determination: principle & the law

The General Assembly,

Recalling the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, and its resolutions 1654 (XVI) of 27 November 1961, 1810 (XVII) of 17 December 1962 and 1956 (XVIII) of 11 December 1963,

Recalling also its resolutions 1805 (XVII) of 14 December 1962 and 1899 (XVIII) of 13 November 1963 by which it assigned to the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples tasks relating to South West Africa, and its resolution 1970 (XVIII) of 16 December 1963 by which it entrusted to the Special Committee additional functions relating to information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations,

Having considered the reports prepared by the Special Committee for the years 196412 and 1965,

Noting with deep regret that five years after the adoption of the Declaration many Territories are still under colonial domination,

Deploring the negative attitude of certain colonial Powers, and in particular the unacceptable attitude of the Governments of Portugal and South Africa, which refuse to recognize the right of colonial peoples to independence,

Concerned about the policy of colonial Powers to circumvent the rights of colonial peoples through the pro-motion of the systematic influx of foreign immigrants and the dislocation, deportation and transfer of the indigenous inhabitants,

Noting the action taken and envisaged by the Special Committee regarding the list of Territories to which the Declaration is applicable,

Deploring further the attitude of certain States which, despite the resolutions of the General Assembly and of the Special Committee, continue to co-operate with the Governments of Portugal and South Africa and even to provide them with aid which is being used by the two Governments to intensify the repression of the op-pressed African populations,

Fully aware that the continuation of colonial rule and the practice of apartheid as well as all forms of racial discrimination threaten international peace and security and constitute a crime against humanity,.

Having adopted resolutions on specific Territories considered by the Special Committee,

1. Reaffirms its resolutions 1514 (XV), 1654 (XVI), 1810 (XVII) and 1956 (XVIII) ;

2. Notes with appreciation the work accomplished by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and congratulates it on the efforts it has made to implement the Declaration ;

3. Approves the reports of the Special Committee and again invites the administering Powers to implement the recommendations contained therein ;

4. Deeply regrets the refusal of certain colonial Powers to co-operate with the Special Committee and their continued disregard of the resolutions of the General Assembly ;

5. Calls upon the colonial Powers to discontinue their policy of violating the rights of colonial peoples through the systematic influx of foreign immigrants and the dislocation, deportation and transfer of the indigenous inhabitants;

6. Requests the Special Committee to continue to perform its task and to continue to seek the best means for the immediate and full application of resolution 1514 (XV) to all Territories which have not yet attained independence;

7. Approves the programme of work envisaged by the Special Committee during 1966, including the possibility of holding a series of meetings in Africa and the sending of visiting groups to Territories, particularly in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean areas;

8. Requests the Special Committee to pay particular attention to the small Territories and' to recommend to the General Assembly the most appropriate ways, as well as the steps to be taken, to enable the populations of those Territories to exercise fully their right to self-determination and independence ;

9. Requests the Special Committee, whenever it considers it appropriate, to recommend a deadline for the accession to independence of each Territory iii accordance with the wishes of the people ;

10. Recognizes the legitimacy of the struggle by the peoples under colonial rule to exercise their right to self-determination and independence and invites all States to provide material and moral assistance to the national liberation movements in colonial Territories ;

11. Requests all States and international institutions, including the specialized agencies of the United Nations, to withhold assistance of any kind to the Governments of Portugal and South Africa until they renounce their policy of colonial domination and racial discrimination;

12. Requests the colonial Powers to dismantle the military bases installed in colonial Territories and to refrain from establishing new ones;

13. Requests the Special Committee to apprise the Security Council of developments in any Territory examined by it which may threaten international peace and security and to make suggestions which might assist the Council in considering appropriate measures under the Charter of the United Nations;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to promote the large-scale dissemination of the Declaration and of the work of the Special Committee, in order that world opinion may be sufficiently informed of the serious threat to peace posed by colonialism and apartheid, and calls upon all administering Powers to co-operate with the Secretary-General in his efforts ;

15. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide the Special Committee with all the facilities and personnel necessary for the implementation of its mandate.