| 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational
preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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