Question of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Question of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

  The General Assembly, Having considered the question of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Having heard the statements of the representatives of Australia, Having heard the statement of the Chairman of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Council, Recalling its resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, Recalling also its decision 38/412 of 7 December 1983, by which it noted, inter alia, that the administering Power had discussed with the representatives of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands community the question of holding an act of self- determination to determine their future political status, and its decision 38/420 of 7 December 1983, by which it authorized the Secretary-General to appoint and dispatch a United Nations mission to visit the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1984 and requested him to submit a report on the findings of the mission to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session, Having heard the statement of the Chairman of the United Nations Visiting Mission dispatched to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in April 1984 pursuant to General Assembly decision 38/420 and having considered the report of the Visiting Mission, Noting with appreciation the active participation of the administering Power in the work of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in regard to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the co-operation it has extended to the Committee, including the receiving of visiting missions to the Territory in 1974 and 1980,

1. Notes with satisfaction the observations and recommendations of the United Nations Visiting Mission to Observe the Act of Self-Determination in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, 1984;

2. Takes note that the people of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands voted by a substantial majority for integration with Australia;

3. Endorses the view of the Visiting Mission that, in so doing, the people of the Territory have exercised their right to self-determination in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

4. Considers it appropriate that, in view of the decision of the people of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the transmission of information in respect of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands under Article 73 e of the Charter should cease;

5. Takes note of the actions taken by the Government of Australia to transfer ownership of land to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands community and to extend relevant legislation to the community so that it may enjoy the same benefits as those available to the Australian community at large, as well as the Government's assurances that the unique cultural identity, heritage and traditions of the Cocos community will be preserved;

6. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Australia, as the administering Power concerned, and to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Council for the co-operation extended to the United Nations;

7. Expresses its appreciation 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 for the work it has accomplished, in close co-operation with the administering Power, in respect of the Territory.