Question of South West Africa

XVI. RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON THE REPORT OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
1702. Question of South West Africa

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 entitled "Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples", and its resolution 1654 (XVI) of 27 November 1961 establishing a Special Committee of seventeen members on the application of the Declaration, Recalling its resolutions 1568 (XV) of 18 December 1960 and 1596 (XV) of 7 April 1961, Noting with approval the special report of the Committee on South West Africa,[1] Bearing in mind the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the special report of the Committee on South West Africa on the measures to be taken to ensure the institution of the rule of law and such democratic processes, reforms and programmes of assistance as will enable the Mandated Territory of South West Africa to assume the full responsibilities of sovereignty and independence within the shortest possible time, Noting with deep regret that the Government of the Republic of South Africa has prevented the Committee on South West Africa, with threats, from entering the Territory, Noting with increased disquiet the progressive deterioration of the situation in South West Africa as a result of the ruthless intensification of the policy of apartheid, the deep emotional resentments of all African peoples, accompanied by the rapid expansion of South Africa's military forces, and the fact that Europeans, both soldiers and civilians, are being armed and militarily reinforced for the purpose of oppressing the indigenous people, all of which create an increasingly explosive situation which, if allowed to continue, will endanger international peace and security, Considering that the Government of South Africa has persistently failed in its international obligations in administering the Territory of South West Africa on behalf of the international community, Reaffirming that it is the right and duty of the United Nations to discharge fully its obligations towards the international Territory of South West Africa, Convinced that the implementation of resolution 1514 (XV) and the discharge of the responsibility of the United Nations under the Charter towards the international community and the people of South West Africa require the taking of immediate steps by the United Nations,

1. Solemnly proclaims the inalienable right of the people of South West Africa to independence and national sovereignty;

2. Decides to establish a United Nations Special Committee for South West Africa, consisting of representatives of seven Member States nominated by the President of the General Assembly, whose task will be to achieve, in consultation with the Mandatory Power, the following objectives:

(a) A visit to the Territory of South West Africa before 1 May 1962;

(b) The evacuation from the Territory of all military forces of the Republic of South Africa;

(c) The release of all political prisoners without distinction as to party or race;

(d) The repeal of all laws or regulations confining the indigenous inhabitants in reserves and denying them all freedom of movement, expression and association, and of all other laws and regulations which establish and maintain the intolerable system of apartheid;

(e) Preparations for general elections to the Legislative Assembly, based on universal adult suffrage, to be held as soon as possible under the supervision and control of the United Nations;

(f) Advice and assistance to the Government resulting from the general elections, with a view to preparing the Territory for full independence;

(g) Co-ordination of the economic and social assistance with which the specialized agencies will provide the people in order to promote their moral and material welfare;

(h) The return to the Territory of indigenous inhabitants without risk of imprisonment, detention or punishment of any kind because of their political activities in or outside the Territory;

3. Requests the Special Committee to discharge the tasks which were assigned to the Committee on South West Africa by the General Assembly in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 12 of its resolution 749 A (VIII) of 28 November 1953;

4. Urges the Government of South Africa to cooperate fully with the Special Committee and with the United Nations in the execution of the provisions of the present resolution;

5. Decides to call the attention of the Security Council to the present resolution, in the light of paragraph 7 of resolution 1596 (XV) in which the General Assembly drew the attention of the Council to the situation in respect of South West Africa, which, if allowed to continue, would in the Assembly's view endanger international peace and security;

6. Requests all Member States:

(a) To do everything in their power to help the Special Committee to accomplish its task;

(b) To refrain, should the occasion arise, from any act likely to delay or prevent the application of the present resolution;

7. Requests the Special Committee to keep the Security Council, the Secretary-General and the Special Committee on the application of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples informed of its activities and of any difficulties which it may encounter;

8. Requests the Special Committee to study any measures likely to facilitate the execution of the other recommendations of the Committee on South West Africa, and to report to the General Assembly at its seventeenth session;

9. Decides to maintain the question of South West Africa on its agenda as a question demanding urgent and constant attention;

10. Invites the Secretary-General to facilitate the application of the present resolution.

1083rd plenary meeting,
19 December 1961. The President of the General Assembly, in pursuance of the above resolution, appointed the members of the Special Committee established under the terms of Paragraph 2 of that resolution. The Special Committee is composed as follows: BRAZIL, BURMA, MEXICO, NORWAY, PHILIPPINES, SOMALILAND and TOGO.

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[1] Ibid., Supplement No. 12A (A/4926).