Question of the British Virgin Islands : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

  • Author: UN General Assembly (39th sess. : 1984-1985)
  • Document source:
  • Date:
    5 December 1984
 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Question of the British Virgin Islands

  The General Assembly, Having considered the question of the British Virgin Islands, Having examined the relevant chapters of the report 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, Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and all other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to the British Virgin Islands, including in particular its resolution 38/44 of 7 December 1983, Taking into account the statement of the representative of the administering Power relating to the Territory, in which he said that his Government would fully respect the wishes of the people of the British Virgin Islands in determining the future political status of the Territory, Conscious of the need to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of the Territory, Noting with appreciation the continued active participation of the administering Power in the work of the Special Committee in regard to the British Virgin Islands, thereby enabling it to conduct a more informed and meaningful examination of the situation in the Territory, with a view to accelerating the process of decolonization for the purpose of the full implementation of the Declaration, Reaffirming the responsibility of the administering Power for the economic and social development of the Territory, Taking note of the fact that the economy of the Territory has continued to grow, particularly in the real estate, construction, tourist and banking industries, although at a slower pace, due to the world recession, Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territory and bearing in mind the necessity of diversifying and strengthening further its economy as a matter of priority in order to promote economic stability, Recalling the recommendation of the United Nations visiting mission dispatched to the British Virgin Islands in 1976 that the administering Power should facilitate the participation of the Territory as an associate member in various organizations of the United Nations system as part of the overall strategy of accelerating the decolonization process, Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories and expressing its satisfaction at the willingness of the administering Power to receive visiting missions in the Territories under its administration,

1. Approves the chapter of the report 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 relating to the British Virgin Islands;

2. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

3. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy exercise by the people of the Territory of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution

1514 (XV), which fully applies to the British Virgin Islands;

4. Reiterates that it is the responsibility of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, to create such conditions in the Territory as will enable the people of the British Virgin Islands to exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to self- determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), as well as all other relevant resolutions of the Assembly;

5. Reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands themselves to determine their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration, takes note of the general elections held in the Territory on 11 November 1983 and reaffirms the importance of fostering an awareness among the people of the Territory of the possibilities open to them in the exercise of their right to self-determination;

6. Notes the continuing commitment of the territorial Government to the goal of economic diversification, particularly in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and small industries, and reiterates its call upon the administering Power, in consultation with the local authorities, to intensify its efforts in this regard;

7. Urges the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to safeguard the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to the enjoyment of their natural resources by taking effective measures to ensure their right to own and dispose of those resources and to establish and maintain control of their future development;

8. Urges the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank, to take or intensify measures to accelerate progress in the social and economic life of the British Virgin Islands and, in that regard, notes with appreciation the contribution which the United Nations Development Programme continues to make to the development of the Territory;

9. Notes with satisfaction the admission of the British Virgin Islands as an associate member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and its subsidiary body, the Caribbean Development and Co-operation Committee, as well as of various other international and regional organizations, and calls upon the administering Power to facilitate further the participation of the British Virgin Islands in those organizations;

10. Considers that the possibility of sending a further visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands at an appropriate time should be kept under review;

11. Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth session.

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