Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples is a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution that was adopted on December 14, 1960, with the aim of promoting the decolonization of colonial territories and granting independence to colonial countries and peoples. The resolution was sponsored by Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cuba, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Mali, Philippines, and United Arab Republic, among others, and was supported by Nikita Khrushchev, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Kwame Nkrumah. The resolution was a significant milestone in the history of the United Nations and was influenced by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Bandung Conference.

● Introduction

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was a response to the growing demand for self-determination and independence from colonial powers such as United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Portugal. The resolution was influenced by the Cold War and the Soviet Union's support for national liberation movements in Africa and Asia, as well as the United States' commitment to containment and democratization. Key figures such as Dag Hammarskjöld, Trygve Halvdan Lie, and U Thant played important roles in shaping the resolution, which was also influenced by the Asian-African Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.

● Background

The background to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was marked by the Scramble for Africa, the Berlin Conference, and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which had divided the world into colonial empires and spheres of influence. The League of Nations and the Mandate system had failed to prevent the exploitation and oppression of colonized peoples, and the United Nations was established to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. The General Assembly had already adopted several resolutions on decolonization, including the Resolution 66 (I), which had called for the granting of independence to trust territories, and the Resolution 545 (VI), which had condemned colonialism and imperialism.

● Provisions and Principles

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples sets out several key provisions and principles, including the right to self-determination, the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of economic development, social progress, and human rights, and calls for the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, and disease. The resolution is based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Geneva Conventions, and has been influenced by the thought of Mahatma Gandhi, Ho Chi Minh, and Patrice Lumumba.

● Adoption and Implementation

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1960, with 89 votes in favor, 0 against, and 9 abstentions. The resolution was implemented through the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization, which was established in 1961 to monitor the decolonization process and provide technical assistance to colonial territories. The committee was chaired by Rafael María de Nogales Méndez and included representatives from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, China, and France, among others. The implementation of the resolution was also influenced by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the World Health Organization.

● Impact and Legacy

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples has had a significant impact on the history of decolonization and the development of international law. The resolution has been cited in numerous United Nations resolutions and international treaties, including the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The resolution has also influenced the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights. Key figures such as Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, and Kenneth Kaunda have praised the resolution as a milestone in the struggle for independence and self-determination.

● Key Provisions and Articles

The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples includes several key provisions and articles, including Article 1, which states that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation is a denial of fundamental human rights, and Article 2, which calls for the immediate and unconditional independence of colonial countries and peoples. The resolution also includes Article 3, which emphasizes the importance of self-determination and national sovereignty, and Article 4, which condemns colonialism and imperialism as crimes against humanity. The resolution has been influenced by the thought of Frantz Fanon, Albert Camus, and Jean-Paul Sartre, and has been cited in numerous international court decisions, including the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.