A/RES/60/117 A-B
Noting with appreciation the contribution to the development of some
Territories by specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations
system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, the Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific, as well as regional institutions such as the
Caribbean Development Bank, the Caribbean Community, the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States, the Pacific Islands Forum and the agencies of the Council
of Regional Organizations in the Pacific,
Aware that the Human Rights Committee, as part of its mandate under the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 13 reviews the status of the selfdetermination process of small island Territories under examination by the Special
Committee,
Recalling the ongoing efforts of the Special Committee in carrying out a
critical review of its work with the aim of making appropriate and constructive
recommendations and decisions to attain its objectives in accordance with its
mandate,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the peoples of the Territories to self1.
determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with
General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting
of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;
Reaffirms also that, in the process of decolonization, there is no
2.
alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human
right, as recognized under the relevant human rights conventions;
Reaffirms further that it is ultimately for the peoples of the Territories
3.
themselves to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of
the General Assembly, and in that connection reiterates its long-standing call for the
administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial Governments, to promote
political education in the Territories in order to foster an awareness among the
people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political
status options, based on the principles clearly defined in General Assembly
resolution 1541 (XV);
Requests the administering Powers to transmit regularly to the Secretary4.
General information called for under Article 73 e of the Charter;
5.
Stresses the importance 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 being apprised of the views and wishes of the
peoples of the Territories and enhancing its understanding of their conditions,
including the nature and scope of the existing political and constitutional
arrangements between the Non-Self-Governing Territories and their respective
administering Powers;
Reaffirms the responsibility of the administering Powers under the
6.
Charter to promote the economic and social development and to preserve the
cultural identity of the Territories, and recommends that priority continue to be
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4
See resolution 2200 (XXI), annex.