Page:United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1654(XVI).pdf/1



'''1654 (XVI). The situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples'''.

The General Assembly,

Recalling the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples contained m its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,

Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of that Declaration,

Recalling in particular paragraph 5 of the Declaration providing that:

“Immediate steps shall be taken, in Trust and Non- Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories, without any conditions or reservations, in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom",

Noting with regret that, with a few exceptions, the provisions contained in the aforementioned paragraph of the Declaration have not been carried out,

Noting that, contrary to the provisions of paragraph 4 of the Declaration, armed action and repressive measures continue to be taken in certain areas with increasing ruthlessness against dependent peoples, depriving them of their prerogative to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence,

Deeply concerned that, contrary to the provisions of paragraph 6 of the Declaration, acts aimed at the partial or total disruption of national unity and territorial integrity are still being carried out in certain countries in the process of decolonization,

Convinced that further delay in the application of the Declaration is a continuing source of international conflict and disharmony, seriously impedes international co-operation, and is creating an increasingly dangerous situation in many parts of the world which may threaten international peace and security,

Emphasizing that inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence,

1. Solemnly reiterates and reaffirms the objectives and principles enshrined in the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples contained in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960;

2. Calls upon States concerned to take action with- out further delay with a view to the faithful application and implementation of the Declaration;

3. Decides to establish a Special Committee of seventeen members to be nominated by the President of the General Assembly at the present session;

4. Requests the Special Committee to examine the application of the Declaration, to make suggestions and recommendations on the progress and extent of the implementation of the Declaration, and to report to the General Assembly at its seventeenth session;

5. Directs the Special Committee to carry out its task by employment of all means which it will have at its disposal within the framework of the procedures and modalities which it shall adopt for the proper discharge of its functions;

6. Authorises the Special Committee to meet elsewhere than at United Nations Headquarters, whenever and wherever such meetings may be required for the effective discharge of its functions, in consultation with the appropriate authorities;

7. Invites the authorities concerned to afford the Special Committee their fullest co-operation in carrying out its tasks;

8. Requests the Trusteeship Council, the Committee on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories and the specialized agencies concerned to assist the Special Committee in its work within their respective fields;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Committee with all the facilities and the personnel necessary for the implementation of the present resolution.

1066th plenary meeting, 27 November 1961