Racial discrimination in Non-Self Governing Territories

XVI. RESOLUTION ADOPTED ON THE REPORT OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
1698. Racial discrimination in Non-Self Governing Territories

The General Assembly, Recalling that, in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 entitled "Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples", it expressed the belief that an end must be put to colonialism and all practices of segregation and discrimination associated therewith, Recalling further its resolution 1536 (XV) of 15 December, 1960, Noting with deep concern, from the information contained in the report of the Committee on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories,[1] that racial discrimination persists and that the recommendations of the General Assembly contained in resolution 1536 (XV) have not yet been implemented, Endorsing the view of the Committee that on no grounds whatsoever can the existence of racial discrimination in any aspect of life in the Non-Self-Governing Territories be justified, Considering that racial discrimination and segregation in Non-Self-Governing Territories can be eradicated fully and with the greatest speed by the faithful implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, and that, accordingly, the efforts of the United Nations should be concentrated on that task,

1. Condemns resolutely the policy and practice of racial discrimination and segregation in Non-Self-Governing Territories;

2. Urges the Administering Members to include, among the measures that would contribute to the implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, steps to ensure:

(a) The immediate rescinding or revocation of all laws and regulations which tend to encourage or sanction, directly or indirectly, discriminatory policies and practices based on racial considerations, the adoption of legislative measures making racial discrimination and segregation punishable by law, and the discouragement of such practices based on racial considerations by all other means possible, including administrative measures;

(b) The immediate extension to all inhabitants of the full exercise of basic political rights, in particular the right to vote, and the establishment of equality among the inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to take measures for the immediate and large-scale dissemination of the present resolution in the Non-Self-Governing Territories through all the appropriate media of mass communication, in the principal local languages as well as in the languages of the Administering Members;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General to prepare, not later than September 1962, a report on the implementation of the present resolution for the consideration of the General Assembly and any other body which the Assembly may appoint to assist it in the implementation of resolution 1514 (XV).

1083rd plenary meeting,
19 December 1961.

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[1] Ibid., part two, section VIII.