Question of Aden

XX. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE
2023. Question of Aden

The General Assembly, Having considered the chapters of the reports of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to the Territory of Aden, [1] which includes, in addition to Aden, the Eastern and Western Aden Protectorates as well as the Islands of Perim, Kuria Muria, Kamaran and other off-shore islands, Recalling its resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and 1949 (XVIII) of 11 December 1963, and the resolutions adopted by the Special Committee on 9 April 1964, [2] 11 May 1964 [3] and 17 May 1965, [4] Having heard the statements of the petitioners, Having taken note of the declarations of the representative of the administering Power, Deeply concerned at the critical and explosive situation which is threatening peace and security in the area, arising from the policies pursued by the administering Power in the Territory,

1. Approves the chapters of the reports of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to the Territory of Aden and endorses the conclusions and recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Aden;

2. Endorses the resolutions adopted by the Special Committee on 9 April 1964, 11 May 1964 and 17 May 1965;

3. Deplores the refusal of the administering Power to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee;

4. Further deplores the attempts of the administering Power to set up an unrepresentative régime in the Territory, with a view to granting it independence contrary to General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1949 (XVIII), and appeals to all States not to recognize any independence which is not based on the wishes of the people of the Territory freely expressed through elections held under universal adult suffrage;

5. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of the Territory to self-determination and to freedom from colonial rule and recognizes the legitimacy of their efforts to achieve the rights laid down in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;

6. Considers that the maintenance of the military bases in the Territory constitutes a major obstacle to the liberation of the people of the Territory from colonial domination and is prejudicial to the peace and security of the region, and that the immediate and complete removal of these bases is therefore essential;

7. Notes with deep concern that military operations against the people of the Territory are still being carried out by the administering Power;

8. Urges the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland immediately to:

(a) Abolish the state of emergency;

(b) Repeal all laws restricting public freedom;

(c) Cease all repressive actions against the people of the Territory, in particular military operations;

(d) Release all political detainees and allow the return of those people who have been exiled or forbidden to reside in the Territory because of political activities:

9. Reaffirms paragraphs 6 to 11 of resolution 1949 (XVIII) and urges the administering Power to implement them immediately;

10. Appeals to all Member States to render all possible assistance to the people of the Territory in their efforts to attain freedom and independence;

11. Draws the attention of the Security Council to the dangerous situation prevailing in the area as a result of British military action against the people of the Territory;

12. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the specialized agencies and the international relief organizations to offer all possible assistance to the people who are suffering as a result of the military operations in the Territory;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to take such action as he may deem expedient to ensure the implementation of the present resolution, and to report thereon to the Special Committee;

14. Requests the Special Committee to examine again the situation in the Territory and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its twenty-first session;

15. Decides to maintain this item on its agenda.

1368th Plenary meeting,
5 November 1965.

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[1] Ibid., Nineteenth Session, Annexes, annex No. 8 (part I) (A/5800/Rev.1), cbapter VI; ibid., Twentieth Session, Annexes, addendum to agenda item 23 (A/6000/Rev.1), chapter VI. [2] Ibid., Nineteenth Session, Annexes, annex No. 8 (part 1) (A/5800/Rev.1), chapter VI, para. 166. [3] Ibid., para. 202. [4] Ibid., Twentieth Session, Annexes, addendum to agenda item 23 (A/6000/Rev.1), chapter VI, para. 300.