Treatment of people of Indian origin in the Union of South Africa

VIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE AD HOC POLITICAL COMMITTEE
719. Treatment of people of Indian origin in the Union of South Africa

1. Recalls that at its first, second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh sessions it has given consideration to the question of the treatment of people of Indian origin in the Union of South Africa;

2. Further recalls:

(a) That resolution 44 (I) of 8 December 1946 expressed the opinion that the treatment of Indians in the Union of South Africa should be in conformity with the international obligations under the agreements concluded between the Governments of India and the Union of South Africa and the relevant provisions of the Charter and requested the two Governments to report to the General Assembly on the measures adopted to this effect;

(b) That resolution 265 (III) of 14 May 1949 invited the Governments of India, Pakistan and the Union of South Africa to enter into discussion at a round table conference, taking into consideration the Purposes and Principles of the Charter and the Declaration of Human Rights;

(c) That resolution 395 (V) of 2 December 1950 held that a policy of "racial segregation" (apartheid) was necessarily based on doctrines of racial discrimination; repeated its recommendation that a round table conference be held; and further recommended that, in the event of failure to hold a conference or reach agreement thereat, a commission of three members be set up to assist the parties in carrying through appropriate negotiations;

(d) That resolution 511 (VI) of 12 January 1952 reaffirmed the recommendation of resolution 395 (V) that a three-member commission be established and further requested the Secretary-General, in the event of failure to establish such a commission, to lend his assistance to the Governments concerned and if necessary to appoint an individual who would render any additional assistance deemed advisable;

(e) That resolution 615 (VII) of 5 December 1952 established a three-member United Nations Good Offices Commission to arrange and assist in negotiations between the Governments concerned in order that a satisfactory solution in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights might be achieved;

3. Also recalls that resolutions 395 (V), 511 (VI) and 615 (VII) successively called on the Government of the Union of South Africa to refrain from implementing or enforcing the provisions of the Group Areas Act;

4. Takes note of the report[1] of the United Nations Good Offices Commission, and in particular its conclusion that "in view of the response of the Government of the Union of South Africa, it has been unable to carry out its task to arrange and assist in negotiations between the Governments concerned";

5. Expresses its regret that the Government of the Union of South Africa:

(a) Has refused to make use of the Commission's good offices or to utilize any of the alternative procedures for the settlement of the problem recommended by the four previous resolutions of the General Assembly;

(b) Has continued to implement the provisions of the Group Areas Act in spite of the provisions of three previous resolutions;

(c) Is proceeding with further legislation contrary to the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the Immigrants Regulation Amendment Bill which seeks to prohibit the entry into South Africa of wives and children of South African nationals of Indian origin;

6. Considers that these actions of the Government of the Union of South Africa are not in keeping with its obligations and responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations;

7. Decides to continue the United Nations Good Offices Commission and urges the Government of the Union of South Africa to co-operate with that Commission;

8. Requests the Commission to report to the General Assembly at its next regular session the extent of progress achieved, together with its own views on the problem and any proposals which, in its opinion, may lead to a peaceful settlement of it;

9. Again calls upon the Government of the Union of South Africa to refrain from implementing the provisions of the Group Areas Act;

10. Decides to include this item in the provisional agenda of the ninth session of the General Assembly.