Use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination.

1991/7. Use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination

The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations concerning the strict observance of the principles of sovereign equality, political independence, territorial integrity of States and self-determination of peoples, as well as the principle of scrupulously refraining in international relations from the threat or use of force as developed in the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV)), Recognizing that mercenaries are used for activities which violate these principles, Alarmed at the continuing trend of unlawful international activities involving mercenaries in the perpetration of violent actions inimical to the constitutional order of States, Concerned at the menace that the activities of mercenaries represent for all the developing countries in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and, in particular, in Africa, Gravely concerned by the loss of life, the damage to property and the negative effects on the economies of affected States, in the southern African region and elsewhere,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Special Rapporteur (E/CN.4/1991/14);

2. Reaffirms that the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries should be considered as offences of grave concern to all States;

3. Calls upon all States which have not yet done so to consider taking early action to accede to or ratify the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries;

4. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a preliminary report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session under the agenda item "Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights";

5. Also requests the Special Rapporteur to submit his report to the Commission at its forty-eighth session on all further developments concerning the use of mercenaries, wherever this may occur.

38th meeting
22 February 1991
[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]
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