The question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa

VII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE AD HOC POLITICAL COMMITTEE
616. The question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa

A

The General Assembly, Having taken note of the communication[1] dated 12 September 1952, addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by the delegations of Afghanistan, Burma, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen, regarding the question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa, Considering that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling that the General Assembly declared in its resolution 103 (I) of 19 November 1946 that it is in the higher interests of humanity to put an end to religious and so-called racial persecution, and called upon all governments to conform both to the letter and to the spirit of the Charter and to take the most prompt and energetic steps to that end, Considering that the General Assembly has held, in its resolutions 395 (V) of 2 December 1950 and 511 (VI) of 12 January 1952, that a polity of "racial segregation" (apartheid) is necessarily based on doctrines of racial discrimination,

1. Establishes a Commission, consisting of three members, to study the racial situation in the Union of South Africa in the light of the Purposes and Principles of the Charter, with due regard to the provision of Article 2, paragraph 7, as well as the provisions of Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3, Article 13, paragraph I b, Article 55 c, and Article 56 of the Charter, and the resolutions of the United Nations on racial persecution and discrimination, and to report its conclusions to the General Assembly at its eighth session;

2. Invites the Government of the Union of South Africa to extend its full co-operation to the Commission;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Commission with the necessary staff and facilities;

4. Decides to retain the question on the provisional agenda of the eighth session of the General Assembly.

401st plenary meeting,
5 December 1952.
At its 411th meeting on 21 December 1952, the General Assembly decided, on the proposal of the President, that the Commission, established under paragraph 1 of the above resolution, should be composed of the following persons: Mr. Ralph Bunche, Mr. Hernàn Santa Cruz and Mr. Jaime Torres Bodet.

B

The General Assembly, Having taken note of the communication[2] dated 12 September 1952, addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by the delegations of Afghanistan, Burma. Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen, regarding the question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa, Considering that one of the purposes of the United Nations is to achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling that the General Assembly declared in its resolution 103 (1) of 19 November 1946 that it is in the higher interests of humanity to put an end to religious and so-called racial persecution, and called upon all governments to conform both to the letter and to the spirit of the Charter and to take the most prompt and energetic steps to that end,

1. Declares that in a multi-racial society harmony and respect for human rights and freedoms and the peaceful development of a unified community are best assured when patterns of legislation and practice are directed towards ensuring equality before the law of all persons regardless of race, creed or colour, and when economic, social, cultural and political participation of all racial groups is on a basis of equality;

2. Affirms that governmental policies of Member States which are not directed towards these goals, but which are designed to perpetuate or increase discrimination, are inconsistent with the pledges of the Members under Article 56 of the Charter;

3. Solemnly calls upon all Member States to bring their policies into conformity with their obligation under the Charter to promote the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

401st plenary meeting,
5 December 1952.


[1] See document A/2183. [2] Ibid.
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