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.

31. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE*
34. 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, Recalling its resolutions 2649 (XXV) of 30 November 1970, 2955 (XXVII) of 12 December 1972, 3070 (XXVIII) of 30 November 1973, 3246 (XXIX) of 29 November 1974 and 3382 (XXX) of 10 November 1975, Recalling also its resolutions 2465 (XXIII) of 20 December 1968, 2548 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969, 2708 (XXV) of 14 December 1970, 3103 (XXVIII) of 12 December 1973 and 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974 on the use and recruitment of mercenaries against national liberation movements and sovereign States, Reaffirming its faith in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Reaffirming the importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, national sovereignty and territorial integrity and of the speedy granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples as imperatives for the enjoyment of human rights, Affirming that bantustanization is incompatible with genuine independence, unity and national sovereignty and would have the effect of perpetuating the power of the white minority and the racist system of apartheid in South Africa, Reaffirming the obligation of all Member States to comply with the principles of the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations regarding the exercise of the right to self-determination by peoples under colonial and alien domination, Welcoming the independence of Seychelles, Reiterating the need to respect the independence and to maintain the territorial integrity of the Comoros, Indignant at the continued violations of the human rights of the peoples still under colonial and foreign domination and alien subjugation, the continuation of the illegal occupation of Namibia and the perpetuation of the racist minority régimes in Zimbabwe and South Africa,

1. Reaffirms the legitimacy of the peoples' struggle for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation from colonial and foreign domination and alien subjugation by all available means, including armed struggle;

2. Calls upon all States to implement fully and faithfully the resolutions of the United Nations regarding the exercise of the right to self-determination by peoples under colonial and alien domination;

3. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the peoples of Namibia and Zimbabwe, of the Palestinian people and of all peoples under alien and colonial domination to self-determination, independence and sovereignty without external interference;

4. Condemns the policy of bantustanization and reiterates its support for the oppressed people of South Africa in their just and legitimate struggle against the racist minority régime, in Pretoria;

5. Condemns any interference in the internal affairs of the Comoros and demands the immediate withdrawal of the French Administration from the Comorian island of Mayotte;

6. Reiterates that the practice of using mercenaries against movements for national liberation and independence constitutes a criminal act and that the mercenaries themselves are criminals, and calls upon the Governments of all countries to enact legislation declaring the recruitment, financing and training of mercenaries in their territory and the transit of mercenaries through their territory to be punishable offences and prohibiting their nationals from serving as mercenaries;

7. Condemns the policies of those members of the North Atlantic Treaty organization and of other countries whose political, economic, military or sporting relations with the racist régimes in southern Africa and elsewhere encourage these régimes to persist in their suppression of the aspirations of peoples for self-determination and independence;

8. Strongly condemns all Governments which do not recognize the right to self-determination and independence of all peoples still under colonial and foreign domination and alien subjugation, notably the peoples of Africa and the Palestinian people;

9. Strongly condemns the massacres of innocent and defenceless people, including women and children, by the racist minority régimes of southern Africa in their desperate attempt to thwart the legitimate demands Of the people;

10. Demands full respect for the basic human rights Of all individuals detained or imprisoned as a result of their struggle for self-determination and independence, and strict respect for article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under which no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,[1] and their immediate release;

11. Notes with appreciation the material and other forms of assistance that peoples under colonial and alien régimes continue to receive from Governments, United Nations agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and calls for a maximization of this assistance;

12. Keenly awaits the conclusion of the following studies by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities:

(a) Historical and current development of the right to self-determination on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and other instruments adopted by United Nations organs, with particular reference to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(b) Implementation of United Nations resolutions relating to the right of peoples under colonial and alien domination to self-determination;

13. Decides to remain seized of this item at its thirty-second session on the basis of reports that Governments, United Nations agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are requested to submit concerning the strengthening of assistance to colonial Territories and peoples under alien domination and foreign subjugation.

83rd plenary meeting
30 November 1976

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[1] Resolution 217 A (III)