Declaration on non-use of force adopted, views on terrorism conference sought.

Declaration on Non-Use of Force adopted, Views on terrorism conference sought

A declaration on the non-use of force in international relations was adopted without vote by the General Assembly on 18 November. The 33-article document sets out principles elaborated over the course of a number of years in a special committee reporting to the Assembly's Sixth (Legal) Committee.

In 1987, the world body adopted 15 texts covering a wide variety of legal issues. Among other things, it condemned as criminal all acts, methods and practices of terroism wherever and by whomever committed, including those which jeopardized friendly relations among States and their security. States were called upon to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in terrorist acts in other States, or acquiescing in activities within their territory directed towards the commission of such acts.

The world body also condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, and against missions and representatives to international intergovernmental organizations and officials of such organizations, emphasizing that such acts could never be justified. States were urged to take measures to ensure effectively the protection, security and safety of all diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.

Declaration

The Declaration on the Enhancement of the Effectiveness of the Principle of Refraining from the Threat or Use of Force in International Relations -- a major achievement of the forty-second Assembly -- states that:

Every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the United Nations purposes. Such a threat or use of force constituted a violation of international law and the Charter and entailed international responsibility.

States should fulfil their obligations under international law to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in paramilitary, terrorist or subversive acts, including acts of mercenaries, in other States, or acquiescing in organized activities within their territory directed towards the commission of such acts.

The principle of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations is universal in character and binding regardless of each State's political, economic, social or cultural system or relations of alliance.

No consideration of whatever nature may be invoked to warrant resorting to the threat or use of force in violation of the Charter.

All peoples have the right freely to determine, without external interference, their political status and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Neither acquisition nor any occupation of territory resulting from the threat or use of force in contravention of international law will be recognized as legal acquisition or occupation. (For more details, see UN Chronicle 1987, No.2.)

Terrorism

Israel and the United States voted against the resolution on international terrorism, the vote on which was 153 to 2, with 1 abstention (Honduras). Under its other provisions, States were urged to take effective and resolute measures for the speedy and final elimination of international terrorism. The Assembly said that nothing in the resolution could prejudice the right of peoples, particularly those under colonial and racist regimes, or under foreign occupation or other forms of domination, to struggle for self-determination, freedom and independence, or to seek and receive support to that end.

The international community was called on to pay special attention to situations that might give rise to international terrorism, including situations involving colonialism, racism, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as alien domination and occupation.

The Secretary-General was asked to seek views of Member States on ways to combat international terrorism, including the convening of an international conference on the subject.

Other action

In other action, the Assembly asked for continued work on a draft code of crimes against the peace and security of mankind, a draft convention on international bills of exchange and promissory notes, a convention against mercenaries, and principles to protect persons who have been detained or imprisoned.

It also favoured work on principles of international law relating to a new international economic order, development and strengthening of good-neighbourliness between States, and strengthening the process of peaceful settlement of disputes. The Secretary-General was asked to update a 1971 survey of international law.