Status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid.

  • Author: UN General Assembly (33rd sess. : 1978-1979)
  • Document source:
  • Date:
    16 December 1978

33. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE*
103. Status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 3068 (XXVIII) of 30 November 1973, by which it adopted and opened for signature and ratification the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, and its resolutions 3380 (XXX) of 10 November 1975, 31/80 of 13 December 1976 and 32/12 of 7 November 1977 as well as Commission on Human Rights resolutions 13 (XXXIII) of 11 March 1977[1] and 7 (XXXIV) of 22 February 1978,[2] Welcoming the Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination,[3] Reaffirming its firm conviction that apartheid constitutes a total negation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and is a gross violation of human rights and a crime against humanity seriously disturbing and threatening international peace and security, Underlining that ratification of and accession to the Convention on a universal basis and implementation of its provisions are necessary for its effectiveness and would be a useful contribution towards implementing the programme for the International Anti-Apartheid Year and achieving the goals of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, Welcoming Security Council resolution 418 (1977) of 4 November 1977 as a useful step towards achieving the purposes of the Convention, Firmly convinced that the legitimate struggle of the oppressed peoples in southern Africa against apartheid, colonialism and racial discrimination and for the effective realization of their inalienable and legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination, and for human rights, thirty years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, demands more than ever all necessary support by the international community, and, in particular, further action by the Security Council,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General[4] on the status of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid;

2. Expresses its satisfaction with the increase in the number of States which have ratified the Convention or acceded thereto;

3. Commends the States parties to the Convention that have submitted their reports under article VII of the Convention and urges other States to do so as soon as possible, taking fully into account the guideline[5] prepared by the Working Group on the Implementation of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid established in accordance with article IX of the Convention;

4. Appeals once again to all States which have not yet become parties to the Convention to ratify it or accede to it without delay;

5. Welcomes the efforts of the Commission on Human Rights to undertake the functions set out in article X of the Convention and invites the Commission to continue its efforts, especially with a view to preparing a list of individuals, organizations, institutions and representatives of States which are alleged to be responsible for crimes enumerated in article H of the Convention, as well as of those against which legal proceedings have been undertaken;

6. Calls upon the competent United Nations organs to provide the Commission on Human Rights, through the Secretary-General, with information relevant to the preparation of the above-mentioned list according to article X of the Convention as well as with information concerning the obstacles which prevent the effective suppression and punishment of the crime of apartheid;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to include in his next annual reports under General Assembly resolution 3380 (XXX) a special section concerning the implementation of the Convention.

86th plenary meeting
16 December 1978


[1] See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, Sixty-second Session, Supplement No. 6 (E/5927), chap. XXI, sect. A. [2] See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1978, Supplement No. 4 (E/1978/34), chap. XXVI, sect. A. [3] Report of the World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, Geneva, 14-25 August 1978 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.79.XIV.2), chap. II. [4] A/33/149. [5] E/CN.4/1286, annex.
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