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Universal
realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, 1993
Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
UN General Assembly Resolution 48/93
20 December 1993
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming the importance, for the effective guarantee and observance of human
rights, of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and embodied in the International Covenants
on Human Rights, 1/ as well as in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence
to Colonial Countries and Peoples contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14
December 1960,
Welcoming the progressive exercise of the right to self-determination by peoples
under colonial, foreign or alien occupation and their emergence into sovereign statehood
and independence,
Deeply concerned at the continuation of acts or threats of foreign military
intervention and occupation that are threatening to suppress, or have already suppressed,
the right to self-determination of an increasing number of sovereign peoples and nations,
Expressing grave concern that, as a consequence of the persistence of such
actions, millions of people have been and are being uprooted from their homes as refugees
and displaced persons, and emphasizing the urgent need for concerted international action
to alleviate their condition,
Recalling the relevant resolutions regarding the violation of the right of
peoples to self-determination and other human rights as a result of foreign military
intervention, aggression and occupation, adopted by the Commission on Human Rights at its
thirty-sixth, 2/ thirty-seventh, 3/ thirty-eighth, 4/ thirty-ninth, 5/
fortieth, 6/ forty-first, 7/ forty-second, 8/ forty-third, 9/
forty-fourth, 10/ forty-fifth, 11/ forty-sixth, 12/ forty-seventh, 13/
forty-eighth 14/ and forty-ninth 15/ sessions,
Reaffirming its resolutions 35/35 B of 14 November 1980, 36/10 of 28 October
1981, 37/42 of 3 December 1982, 38/16 of 22 November 1983, 39/18 of 23 November 1984,
40/24 of 29 November 1985, 41/100 of 4 December 1986, 42/94 of 7 December 1987,
43/105 of
8 December 1988, 44/80 of 8 December 1989, 45/131 of 14 December 1990, 46/88 of 16
December 1991 and 47/83 of 16 December 1992,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the right of peoples to
self-determination, 16/
1. Reaffirms that the universal realization of the right of all peoples,
including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination, to self-determination is a
fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights and for
the preservation and promotion of such rights;
2. Declares its firm opposition to acts of foreign military intervention,
aggression and occupation, since these have resulted in the suppression of the right of
peoples to self-determination and other human rights in certain parts of the world;
3. Calls upon those States responsible to cease immediately their military
intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories and all acts of
repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment, particularly the brutal and
inhuman methods reportedly employed for the execution of those acts against the peoples
concerned;
4. Deplores the plight of the millions of refugees and displaced persons who
have been uprooted as a result of the aforementioned acts, and reaffirms their right to
return to their homes voluntarily in safety and honour;
5. Requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue to give special attention
to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self-determination, resulting
from foreign military intervention, aggression or occupation;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report on this question to the General
Assembly at its forty-ninth session under the item entitled "Right of peoples to
self-determination".
1/ Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
2/ See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1980, Supplement
No. 3 and corrigendum (E/1980/13 and Corr.1), chap. XXVI, sect. A.
3/ Ibid., 1981, Supplement No. 5 and corrigendum (E/1981/25 and Corr.1),
chap. XXVIII, sect. A.
4/ Ibid., 1982, Supplement No. 2 and corrigendum (E/1982/12 and Corr.1),
chap. XXVI, sect. A.
5/ Ibid., 1983, Supplement No. 3 and corrigendum (E/1983/13 and Corr.1),
chap. XXVII, sect. A.
6/ Ibid., 1984, Supplement No. 4 and corrigendum (E/1984/14 and Corr.1),
chap. II, sect. A.
7/ Ibid., 1985, Supplement No. 2 (E/1985/22), chap. II, sect. A.
8/ Ibid., 1986, Supplement No. 2 (E/1986/22), chap. II, sect. A.
9/ Ibid., 1987, Supplement No. 5 and corrigenda (E/1987/18 and Corr.1 and
2), chap. II, sect. A.
10/ Ibid., 1988, Supplement No. 2 and corrigendum (E/1988/12 and Corr.1),
chap. II, sect. A.
11/ Ibid., 1989, Supplement No. 2 (E/1989/20), chap. II, sect. A.
12/ Ibid., 1990, Supplement No. 2 and corrigendum (E/1990/22 and Corr.1),
chap. II, sect. A.
13/ Ibid., 1991, Supplement No. 2 (E/1991/22), chap. II, sect. A.
14/ Ibid., 1992, Supplement No. 2 (E/1992/22), chap. II, sect. A.
15/ Ibid., 1993, Supplement No. 3 (E/1993/23), chap. II, sect. A.
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