New York, 28 May 2022 (TDI): The UN General Assembly, by its resolution A/RES/54/91 of 6 December 1999, has requested the annual observance of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Each year, this week is observed from 25-31 May. According to the UN Charter, a Non-Self-Governing Territory is defined as a Territory “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.”
In early 1946, the UN member states also named Administering Powers, identified and placed several Non-Governing Territories under their administration, thus, putting them on the UN list. However, decolonization removed most of the territories from this list.
Chapter XI of the UN Charter
In particular, the UN Charter has emphasized the interests of the inhabitants of the Non-Self-Governing territories and regards them as of paramount importance. The dedicated chapter XI of the Charter promotes their well-being as a sacred trust.
According to the context of the Charter, Administering Powers must take adequate measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Consequently, Administering Powers should also control their natural resources, including land, natural resources, and development projects, to protect the people’s property rights.
In addition, the Administering Powers must ensure the educational, social, economic, and political advancement of these peoples. Also, Administering Powers must extend their support in developing self-government and democratic political institutions.
The Administering Powers are also bound to provide feedback and progress reports to the Secretary-General. The status of educational, social, and economic strategies are included in it.
Subsequently, the Charter urges all the member states to provide moral and material assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.
History
Considering 72 terrorists as non-self-governing, eight countries, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are listed in the UN. Among them, eight became independent states in the coming decade.
After that, Administering Powers terminate transmission of information for 21 Non-Self-Governing Territories by taking unilateral decisions. In the case of Hawaii, Alaska, and Greenland, the General Assembly accepted the cessation information.
Later on, the General Assembly updated and published 64 Territories in 1963 to apply the 1960 Declaration on Decolonization. Territories under Spain and Namibia fell under Territories whose information was transferred.
In contrast, Territories under Southern Rhodesia and Portugal were deemed under the “no information shared with the Council” Category.
In 1965, Oman and French Somaliland were added to it. In 1972, the Comoro Islands became a part of the list, and New Caledonia in 1986. Between the time From 1960 to 2002, fifty-four Territories attained self-governed status.
Currently, only seventeen Non-Self-Governing Territories remain on the list. Since the creation of the UN in 1945, 80+ former colonies have gained independence.
