DOCUMENT: UN1514XV.TXT
U N I T E D N A T I O N S
DECLARATION ON THE GRANTING OF INDEPENDENCE TO
COLONIAL COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
on 14 December 1960
(Resolution 1514(XV)
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
MINDFUL of the determination proclaimed by the peoples of the
world in the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human
person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large
and small and to promote social progress and better standards of
life in larger freedom,
CONSCIOUS of the need for the creation of conditions of
stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based
on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-
determination of all peoples, and of universal respect for, and
observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
RECOGNIZING the passionate yearning for freedom in all
dependent peoples and the decisive role of such peoples in the
attainment of their independence,
AWARE of the increasing conflicts resulting from the denial
of or impediments in the way of the freedom of such peoples, which
constitute a serious threat to world peace,
CONSIDERING the important role of the United Nations in
assisting the movement for independence in trust and non-self-
governing territories,
RECOGNIZING that the peoples of the world ardently desire the
end of colonialism in all its manifestations,
CONVINCED that the continued existence of colonialism
prevents the development of international economic co-operation,
impedes the social, cultural and economic development of dependent
peoples and militates against the United Nations ideal of
universal peace,
AFFIRMING that peoples may, for their own ends, freely
dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to
any obligations arising out of international economic co-
operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and
international law,
BELIEVING that the process of liberation is irresistible and
irreversible and that, in order to avoid serious crises, an end
must be put to colonialism and all practices of segregation and
discrimination associated therewith,
WELCOMING the emergence in recent years of a large number of
dependent territories into freedom and independence, and
recognizing the increasingly powerful trends towards freedom in
such territories which have not yet attained independence,
CONVINCED that all peoples have an inalienable right to
complete freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the
integrity of their national territory,
SOLEMNLY PROCLAIMS the necessity of bringing to a speedy and
unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;
And to this end
DECLARES that:
1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation,
domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental
human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and
is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.
2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by
virtue of that right they freely determine their political status
and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational
preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying
independence.
4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds
directed against dependent peoples shall cease in order to enable
them to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete
independence, and the integrity of their national territory shall
be respected.
5. Immediate steps shall be taken, in trust and non-self-
governing territories or all other territories which have not yet
attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of
those territories, without any conditions or reservations, in
accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without
any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable
them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.
6. Any attempt aimed at partial or total disruption of the
national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is
incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of
the United Nations.
7. All States shall observe faithfully and strictly the
provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the present Declaration on the
basis of equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of all
States and respect for the sovereign rights of all peoples and
their territorial integrity.
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