Question of Belize.

33. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FOURTH COMMITTEE*
36. Question of Belize

The General Assembly, Having considered the question of Belize, Having examined the relevant chapters of the report 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,[1] Recalling its resolutions 3432 (XXX) of 8 December 1975, 31/50 of 1 December 1976 and 32/32 of 28 November 1977, Having heard the statements of the representatives of Guatemala [2]3and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,[3] Having heard the statement of the representative of Belize,[4] Having also heard the statements of the petitioners,[5] Reaffirming the principles established in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, set out in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, in particular that all peoples have the right to self-determination, by virtue of which right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, Recalling that, in the Bogotà Declaration of 6 August 1977, it was agreed that "a solution of the Belize question should be found by the peaceful methods consecrated in the charters of the Organization of American States and the United Nations, and in accordance with respect for its territorial integrity and with the principle of the free self-determination of peoples", Bearing in mind the relevant parts of the Declaration of the Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Belgrade from 25 to 30 July 1978 [6] Reiterating its conviction that the people of Belize should be assisted in a practical manner to exercise freely and without fear their inalienable right to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity, Deeply regretting the continued failure of the parties concerned to conclude an agreement in conformity with the principles established in General Assembly resolutions 3432 (XXX), 31/50 and 32/32, and the resultant delay in the speedy achievement of the secure independence of Belize,

1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Belize to self-determination and independence;

2. Reaffirms that the inviolability and territorial integrity of Belize must be preserved;

3. Urges the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, acting in close consultation with the Government of Belize, and the Government of Guatemala to pursue vigorously their negotiations with a view to settling their differences over Belize, without prejudice to the right of the people of Belize to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity, and furthering the peace and stability of the region, and in this connexion to consult as appropriate with other especially interested States in the area;

4. Requests the Governments concerned to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session on the outcome of the negotiations referred to above;

5. Calls upon the parties involved to refrain from any threats or use of force against the people of Belize or their territory;

6. Recognizes that it is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, as the administering Power, to take all necessary steps to enable the people of Belize to exercise freely and without fear their right to self-determination and to a firm and early independence;

7. Urges all States to respect the right of the people of Belize to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity, and to render all practical assistance necessary for the secure and early exercise of that right;

8. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to remain seized of the question and to assist the people of Belize in the exercise of their inalienable rights.

81st plenary meeting
13 December 1978

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[1] Ibid., vol. I, chap. V, and vol. IV, chap. XXIX [2] Ibid., Thirty-third Session, Fourth Committee, 26th meeting, paras. 45-48, and 30th meeting, paras. 25-28. [3] Ibid., 27th meeting, paras. 13-22, and 30th meeting, paras. 50-54; and ibid., Fourth Committee, Sessional Fascicle, corrigendum [4] Ibid., 29th meeting, paras. 42-57. [5] Ibid., 23rd meeting, paras. 46-52, 56-60 and 62-68. For the full text, see A/C.4/33/L.26, L.27 and L.29. [6] A/33/206, annex I, paras. 120 to 123.