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

UN General Assembly, Question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa, A/RES/1016, UN General Assembly, 30 January 1957, https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/unga/1957/en/5589 [accessed 14 June 2025]
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XI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SPECIAL POLITICAL COMMITTEE
1016. Question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa

The General Assembly, Recalling its previous resolutions on the question of race conflict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa, Recalling in particular paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 917 (X) of 6 December 1955 calling upon the Government of the Union of South Africa to observe its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, Noting that resolution 616 B (VII) of 5 December 1952 declared, inter alia, that governmental policies which are designed to perpetuate or increase discrimination are inconsistent with the Charter, Further noting that resolutions 395 (V) of 2 December 1950, 511 (VI) of 12 January 1952 and 616 A (VII) of 5 December 1952 have successively affirmed that a policy of "racial segregation" (apartheid) is necessarily based on doctrines of racial discrimination, Convinced 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 practices are directed towards ensuring a legal order that will ensure equality before the law and the elimination of discrimination between all persons regardless of race, creed or colour, Convinced also that a conciliatory approach in accordance with the principles of the Charter is necessary for progress towards a solution of this problem,

1. Deplores that the Government of the Union of South Africa has not yet observed its obligations under the Charter and has pressed forward with discriminatory measures which would make the future observance of those obligations more difficult;

2. Affirms its conviction that perseverance in such discriminatory policies is inconsistent not only with the Charter but with the forces of progress and international co-operation in implementing the ideals of equality, freedom and justice;

3. Calls upon the Government of the Union of South Africa to reconsider its position and revise its policies in the light of its obligations and responsibilities under the Charter and in the light of the principles subscribed to and the progress achieved in other contemporary multi-racial societies;

4. Invites the Government of the Union of South Africa to co-operate in a constructive approach to this question, more particularly by its presence in the United Nations;

5. Requests the Secretary-General, as appropriate, to communicate with the Government of the Union of South Africa to carry forward the purposes of the present resolution.

648th plenary meeting,
30 January 1957.
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