U.N. COMMITTEE COMMEMORATES DECOLONISATION DECLARATION

PRESS RELEASE
GA/COL/3301
15 DECEMBER 2016
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Marking Fifty-Sixth Anniversary of Decolonization Declaration, Special Committee Calls on Member States to Help End Colonial Rule

The following statement was issued today on behalf 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 on the fifty-sixth anniversary of the Declaration:

Fourteen December two thousand sixteen marked the fifty-sixth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was adopted as General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960.

Since the adoption of the resolution by the General Assembly in 1960, the decolonization agenda has made significant headways throughout the world.  More than 50 of the current Member States of the United Nations in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific achieved independence with the effort of their people — by fighting, protesting, and negotiating — and with the support of the Organization.

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This anniversary serves also as a reminder that the task of decolonization is still unfinished.  As the eradication of colonialism continues to be one of the priorities of the United Nations, further concerted and unwavering action is required, including continuing dialogue among the Special Committee on Decolonization, the administering Powers and the Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining on the list of the United Nations.  The peoples of these Territories are looking forward to the actions of the United Nations, on a case-by-case basis, to put an end to their colonial situation.

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As part of its unfailing commitment to the cause of decolonization, this year, the Special Committee has revived the celebration of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories by organizing a series of activities to bring global attention to the Territories.

Furthermore, the Special Committee welcomes the expression of interest recently made by some Member States to join this subsidiary organ; these requests show their commitment to the cause of the decolonization and contributing to strengthen the work of the Special Committee.

The Special Committee invites all concerned to observe this anniversary with a common sense of purpose.  The Special Committee further reaffirms its determination to continue to take all steps necessary to ensure the effective and full implementation of the Declaration.  The United Nations helped liberate the peoples under colonial rule in the past.  The Special Committee, therefore, calls upon Member States to value the principles and actions of the United Nations to be on the right side of history by reaffirming its support for the Declaration and the eradication of the scourge of colonialism.