Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights

XXVII. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the third committee
2955. Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights

The General Assembly, Having considered the item entitled "Importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights", Recalling resolution 2787 (XXVI) of 6 December 1971, in which the General Assembly urged the Security Council as well as States Members of the United Nations or members of specialized agencies to take effective steps to ensure the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, Reaffirming the inalienable right of all peoples under colonial and alien domination to self-determination, freedom and independence in accordance with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, and with Assembly resolutions 2649 (XXV) of 30 November 1970 and 2787 (XXVI) of 6 December 1971, Disturbed at the continued reluctance of the colonial and racist Powers, such as Portugal and South Africa, to recognize and to apply the right to self-determination and independence for the peoples of the Territories under their control, Deeply concerned at the negative attitude of certain Member States to the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly on decolonization, racism and self-determination, Strongly deploring the intensification of armed repression and wanton slaughter of peoples under colonial and alien domination and acts of aggression committed by colonialists and alien forces against a number of sovereign States and peoples struggling for their self-determination, which obstruct the full enjoyment of human rights, Noting the urgent need, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, for providing maximum material, humanitarian and moral assistance to the peoples of the liberated areas, colonial territories and territories under alien subjugation,

1. Reaffirms the right of all peoples, notably of those mentioned in General Assembly resolution 2787 (XXVI), to self-determination, freedom and independence, as well as the legitimacy of their struggle for liberation from colonial and alien domination and foreign subjugation by all available means consistent with the Charter and the resolutions elf the United Nations;

2. Strongly condemns all those Governments, particularly the Governments of Portugal and South Africa, which persistently refuse to implement General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and other pertinent resolutions;

3. Strongly condemns the policies of those States members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other Powers which assist Portugal and other racist régimes in Africa and elsewhere in their suppression of peoples' aspirations for, and enjoyment of, human rights;

4. Decides to examine concrete ways and means of extending maximum humanitarian and material assistance to the peoples of the liberated areas, colonial territories and territories under alien subjugation;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session, indicating the present scope and nature of assistance being provided to colonial countries and peoples, as well as those in the liberated areas, from relevant existing voluntary funds and other forms of assistance by relevant organs of the United Nations, the specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, regional intergovernmental organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations after consultation with the Council Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, in order to assist in the examination of areas and of ways and means of further promoting humanitarian and material assistance, account being taken of the need for co-ordination;

6. Invites the aforementioned organizations to cooperate with the Secretary-General in the implementation of paragraph 5 above.

2107th plenary meeting
12 December 1972