A/RES/63/108 A–B Aware that the Human Rights Committee, as part of its mandate under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 5 reviews the status of the selfdetermination process, including in 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, Recognizing that the annual background working papers prepared by the Secretariat on developments in each of the small Territories, 6 as well as the substantive documentation and information furnished by experts, scholars, nongovernmental organizations and other sources, have provided important inputs to update the present resolution, 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; Also reaffirms 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; Further reaffirms 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 and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for 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) and other relevant resolutions and decisions; 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 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 given, in consultation with the territorial Governments concerned, to the strengthening and diversification of their respective economies; Requests the Territories and the administering Powers to take all measures 7. necessary to protect and conserve the environment of the Territories against any _______________ 5 6 4 See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. A/AC.109/2008/2-4, 6, 7, 10 and Corr.1, 11, 12 and 15-17.