Measures to achieve the rapid and total elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in general and of the policy of apartheid in particular

XXIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2446. Measures to achieve the rapid and total elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in general and of the policy of apartheid in particular

The General Assembly, Deeply concerned that during the International Year for Human Rights large-scale violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms continue to take place, Gravely concerned about the continuing eviction and detention, imprisonment and murder of nationalists and freedom fighters in southern Africa and in colonial Territories, Noting resolutions III, IV and VIII of 11 May 1968 of the International Conference on Human Rights[1] pledging support for measures to achieve the rapid and total elimination of colonialism and all forms of racial discrimination in general and of apartheid in particular and for the treatment as prisoners of war of captured freedom fighters opposed to the policies of apartheid and colonialism,

1. Condemns the Governments of South Africa and Portugal for their persistent defiant stand towards the United Nations and world opinion in respect of their policies of apartheid and colonialism, respectively;

2. Further condemns the policy of racial discrimination of the illegal minority régime in Southern Rhodesia and deplores the refusal of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as the administering Power, to take effective measures to suppress this illegal régime and to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms to the people of Zimbabwe;

3. Censures the Governments of South Africa and Portugal for assisting and collaborating with the illegal minority régime in Southern Rhodesia;

4. Confirms the views of the International Conference on Human Rights, held at Teheran, which recognized and vigorously supported the legitimacy of the struggle of the peoples and patriotic liberation movements in southern Africa and in colonial Territories, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions;

5. Further confirms the decision taken by the International Conference on Human Rights to recognize the right of freedom fighters in southern Africa and in colonial Territories to be treated, when captured, as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions of 1949;[2]

6. Appeals to all States and organizations dedicated to the ideals of freedom, independence and peace to continue to give political, moral and material assistance to peoples struggling against all forms of racial discrimination and colonialism;

7. Calls upon all States to sever all relations with South Africa, Portugal and the illegal minority régime in Southern Rhodesia and to refrain scrupulously from giving any military or economic assistance to these régimes;

8. Requests the United Nations organs and the specialized agencies concerned to continue to give all appropriate assistance to the patriotic freedom movements in colonial Territories and in southern Africa and to keep this matter under constant review;

9. Further requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with Member States, to prepare a programme for the celebration in 1971 of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.

1748th plenary meeting,
19 December 1968.

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[1] See Final Act of the International Conference on Human Rights (United Nations publication, Sales No.: E.68.XIV.2), pp. 6, 7 and 9. [2] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), Nos. 970-973.