Territories without self-government
On the basis of Chapters XI, XII and XIII of the Charter and a large number of resolutions , the United Nations keeps a list of sovereign territories without self-government (German for Non-Self-Governing Territories , NSGT ).
A sovereign territory without self-government is defined by the United Nations as a territory that is either not a sovereign state or is not in free association with a sovereign state or is not integrated into a sovereign state.
The list was drawn up in 1946 and included seventeen territories as of July 2017.
Chapter XI of the UN Charter
According to Chapter XI (Articles 73 and 74) of the UN Charter , "Members of the United Nations who have or take responsibility for the administration of sovereign territories whose peoples have not yet achieved full self-government" (administrative powers) are obliged, among other things,
- "To ensure political, economic, social and educational progress, the fair treatment and protection of these peoples against abuse, with due respect for their culture"
- "To develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of these peoples and to support them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, depending on the particular circumstances of each sovereign territory, its population and their respective stage of development"
- "To promote development and development measures, to support research activities and to work with one another and, if necessary, with international specialist organizations in order to achieve the (...) set out social, economic and scientific goals"
Chapters XII and XIII of the UN Charter
Chapters XII and XIII (Articles 75 to 91) of the UN Charter concern the international trust system, which has been suspended since 1994. Therefore, no trust areas are included in the current list .
UN Resolution 9 (I)
In resolution 9 (I), the General Assembly declares, among other things:
- "The United Nations (...) is keenly aware of the problems and political aspirations of the peoples who have not yet attained a full measure of self-government (...)"
"The United Nations (...) are themselves aware of the problems and political aspirations of the peoples who have not yet achieved a full degree of self-government (...) " (na) - “Chapters XI, XII and XIII of the Charter recognize the problems of the non-self-governing peoples as of vital concern to the peace and general welfare of the world community.”
“Chapters XI, XII and XIII of the Charter recognize the problems of the non-self-governed peoples as of crucial importance for the peace and the general well-being of the world community. " (na) - “The General Assembly expects that the realization of the objectives of Chapters XI, XII and XIII will make possible the attainment of the political, economic, social and educational aspirations of non-self-governing peoples.”
“The General Assembly expects the realization of the goals of Chapters XI, XII and XIII will enable the political, economic, social and educational aspirations of non-self-governed peoples to be achieved. " (na)
UN Resolution 1514 (XV)
In resolution 1514 (XV), the General Assembly declares, among other things:
- “All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of this right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development "
- “Immediate steps are to be taken in the trust areas and the areas without self-government as well as in all other areas which have not yet achieved independence, in order to transfer all sovereign powers to the peoples of these areas, without any conditions or reservations, in accordance with their free expressed will and desire, regardless of race, belief or skin color, in order to enable them to enjoy full independence and freedom "
Currently listed territories
The smallest territory in terms of area is Gibraltar, the one with the fewest inhabitants is the Pitcairn Islands. The largest territory in terms of area and number of inhabitants is Western Sahara.
| Territory (t) | Continent (k) | listed | Administrative power | Area in km² approx. |
Inhabitants approx. |
UN data sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 American Virgin Islands
|
America | 1946– |
 United States
|
352 | 104,919 | [1] |
 American Samoa
|
Pacific (Oceania) | 1946– |
United States
|
200 | 60,300 | [2] |
 Anguilla
|
America | 1946– |
 United Kingdom
|
96 | 15,000 | [3] |
 Bermuda
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
53.35 | 65,391 | [4] |
 British Virgin Islands
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
153 | 28,200 | [5] |
 Cayman Islands
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
264 | 63,415 | [6] |
 Falkland Islands (Malwinen)
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
12.173 | 3,200 | [7] |
 French Polynesia
|
Pacific (Oceania) | 2013– 1946–1947 |
 France
|
3,600 | 275.918 | [8th] |
 Gibraltar
|
Europe | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
5.8 | 34.003 | [9] |
 Guam
|
Pacific (Oceania) | 1946– |
United States
|
540 | 163.875 | [10] |
 Montserrat
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
103 | 5,045 | [11] |
|
New Caledonia
|
Pacific (Oceania) | 1986- 1946-1947 |
France
|
18,575 | 268,767 | [12] |
|
Pitcairn (t) ( Pitcairn Islands )  |
Pacific (Oceania) | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
35.5 | 48 | [13] |
|
St. Helena (t) ( St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha )  |
Africa | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
310 | 5,527 | [14] |
 Tokelau
|
Pacific (Oceania) | 1946– |
 New Zealand
|
12.2 | 1,499 | [15] |
 Turks and Caicos Islands
|
America | 1946– |
United Kingdom
|
948.2 | 39,788 | [16] |
 Western Sahara
|
Africa | 1963– | (not clear) | 266,000 | 567,000 | [17] |
particularities
Referendums
- Falkland Islands (Malwinen)
(f1) In areferendumin 2013, almost 100% of the votes cast were aimed at maintaining thestatus quo.
- Gibraltar
(g) In a referendum in 2002, nearly 99% of the votes cast were aimed at maintaining the status quo.
- New Caledonia
(n1) In 2018, 56.40% of the voters votedagainst independencein areferendum.
Resumptions
- French Polynesia
(fp) In 2013, French Polynesia, which had been removed from the list in 1947, was reinstated against its own will on the basis of UN resolution 67/265.
- New Caledonia
(n2) In 1986 New Caledonia, which had been removed from the list in 1947, was reinstated on the basis of UN resolution 41/41.
Conflicts of the administrative powers
Falkland Islands (Malwinen)
(f2) Thereis a conflictbetween theUnited KingdomandArgentinaover sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Argentina uses the nameMalvinas, German:Malwinen).
Western Sahara
(w) In 1976Spaindeclaredthat it wasno longer responsiblefor Western Sahara (thenSpanish Sahara). The United Nationsdoes notrecognize thesovereignty claimedbyMoroccoover Western Sahara. Hence the administrative power is unclear.
Formerly listed territories
Due to UN resolution 1541 (XV), a territory loses its status as a sovereign territory without self-government under Chapter XI of the Charter through the establishment of a sovereign state, through free association with a sovereign state, or through integration into a sovereign state.
As the last UN trust territory under Chapter XII of the Charter, Palau was removed from the list in 1994 .
UN Resolution 1541 (XV)
Until UN resolution 1541 (XV), the administrative powers could decide at their own discretion according to which criteria a territory should be removed from the list. This led, among other things, to the reintroduction of New Caledonia (1986) and French Polynesia (2013) to the list. In 1947, both territories were removed from the list because the administrative power France had not made a report under Article 73 of the UN Charter.
particularities
African year
The year 1960 is designated as the African year , as this was the year when many colonies in Africa gained independence from their colonial powers.
East Timor
As the last territory under Chapter XI of the Charter to date, East Timor was deleted in 2002 . It was originally included on the list as a colony of Portuguese Timor . While it was preparing for independence in 1975, a brief civil war broke out . The Portuguese administration withdrew to the offshore island of Atauro , while the victorious FRETILIN took power. Shortly afterwards, Indonesia began invading the border areas with soldiers. In order to get international support, FRETILIN unilaterally proclaimed independence on November 28, 1975. It was recognized by twelve members of the United Nations, in addition to former Portuguese colonies such as Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe, also by the People's Republic of China (as the only permanent member of the UN Security Council), Cuba, Vietnam and Sweden . However, Portugal, Indonesia, Australia, the United States and the United Nations refused recognition. Nine days later, Indonesia began open invasion. The last Portuguese governor left the colony. In 1976 Indonesia declared the annexation of East Timor, which was only recognized by Australia. Internationally, East Timor was considered a "dependent territory under Portuguese administration" . The FRETILIN joined the armed resistance. In 1999 an independence referendum was held in East Timor , in which the population spoke out in favor of independence. After Indonesian security forces hit the country again with a wave of violence , the United Nations took control of East Timor. The United Nations interim administration for East Timor existed from 1999 to 2002 . On May 20, 2002, East Timor was given independence.
Basics of international law
Chapters XI, XII and XIII of the UN Charter as well as the resolutions relating to these chapters are the foundations of international law.
| UN resolution | date | Official title Official German translation |
Link to document (s) (s1) |
Link to the document (de) (s2) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 (I) | Feb 9, 1946 | Non self-governing peoples | [18] | ||
| 10 (I) | Feb 9, 1946 | Provisional rules of procedure of the Trusteeship Council | [19] | ||
| 63 (I) | Dec 13, 1946 | Approval of Trusteeship Agreements | [20] | ||
| 64 (I) | Dec 14, 1946 | Establishment of the Trusteeship Council | [21] | ||
| 65 (I) | Dec 14, 1946 | Future status of South West Africa | [22] | ||
| 66 (I) | Dec 14, 1946 | Transmission of information under Article 73 e of the Charter | [23] | ||
| 67 (I) | Dec 14, 1946 | Regional conferences of representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories | [24] | ||
| 139 (II) | Nov 1, 1947 | Report of the Trusteeship Council covering its 1st session | [25] | ||
| 140 (II) | Nov 1, 1947 | Proposed Trusteeship Agreement for Nauru | [26] | ||
| 141 (II) | Nov 1, 1947 | Consideration of proposed new trusteeship agreements, if any: question of South West Africa | [27] | ||
| 142 (II) | Nov 3, 1947 | Standard form for the guidance of Members in the preparation of information to be transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter | [28] | ||
| 143 (II) | Nov 3, 1947 | Supplemental documents relating to information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter | [29] | ||
| 144 (II) | Nov 3, 1947 | Voluntary transmission of information regarding the development of self-governing institutions in the Non-Self-Governing Territories | [30] | ||
| 145 (II) | Nov 3, 1947 | Collaboration of the specialized agencies in regard to Article 73 e of the Charter | [31] | ||
| 146 (II) | Nov 3, 1947 | Creation of a special committee on information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter | [32] | ||
| 218 (III) | Nov 3, 1948 | Transmission of information under Article 73e of the Charter | [33] | ||
| 219 (III) | Nov 3, 1948 | Special Committee on information transmitted under Article 73e of the Charter | [34] | ||
| 220 (III) | Nov 3, 1948 | Liaison between the Economic and Social Council and the Special Committee on Information transmitted under Article 73e of the Charter | [35] | ||
| 221 (III) | Nov 3, 1948 | Collaboration of the specialized agencies in regard to Article 73e of the Charter | [36] | ||
| 222 (III) | Nov 3, 1948 | Cessation of the transmission of information under the Article 73e of the Charter | [37] | ||
| 223 (III) | Nov 18, 1948 | Report of the Trusteeship Council covering its 2nd and 3rd sessions | [38] | ||
| 224 (III) | Nov 18, 1948 | Administrative unions affecting trust territories | [39] | ||
| 225 (III) | Nov 18, 1948 | Educational advancement in trust territories | [40] | ||
| 226 (III) | Nov 18, 1948 | Progressive development of Trust Territories | [41] | ||
| 227 (III) | Nov 26, 1948 | Question of South West Africa | [42] | ||
| 320 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Political advancement of Trust Territories | [43] | ||
| 321 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | International Trusteeship system: petitions and visiting missions | [44] | ||
| 322 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Economic advancement in Trust Territories | [45] | ||
| 323 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Social advancement in Trust Territories | [46] | ||
| 324 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Educational advancement in trust territories | [47] | ||
| 325 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Use of the flag of the United Nations in Trust Territories | [48] | ||
| 326 (IV) | Nov 15, 1949 | Administrative unions affecting trust territories | [49] | ||
| 327 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Voluntary transmission of information under part I of the Standard Form concerning the Non-Self-Governing Territories | [50] | ||
| 328 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Equal treatment in matters relating to education in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [51] | ||
| 329 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Language of instruction in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [52] | ||
| 330 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Eradication of illiteracy in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [53] | ||
| 331 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | International collaboration in regard to economic, social and educational conditions in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [54] | ||
| 332 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Establishment of a Special Committee on Information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter | [55] | ||
| 333 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Work of the Special Committee on Information Transmitted under Articke 73 e of the Charter | [56] | ||
| 334 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Territories to which Chapter XI of the Charter applies | [57] | ||
| 335 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Publication of information relating to Non-Self-Governing Territories | [58] | ||
| 336 (IV) | Dec 2, 1949 | Information on technical assistance accorded to Non-Self-Governing Territories | [59] | ||
| 337 (IV) | Dec 6, 1949 | Question of South West Africa: reiteration of previous resolutions and submission of reports | [60] | ||
| 338 (IV) | Dec 6, 1949 | Question of South West Africa: request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice | [61] | ||
| 431 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Report of the Trusteeship Council covering its first special session, its second special session, and its sixth and seventh sessions | [62] | ||
| 432 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | General procedure of the Trusteeship Council | [63] | ||
| 433 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Annual reports of the Trusteeship Council | [64] | ||
| 434 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Organization and methods of functioning of visiting missions | [65] | ||
| 435 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Examination of petitions | [66] | ||
| 436 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Information on the implementation of Trusteeship Council and General Assembly resolutions relating to Trust Territories | [67] | ||
| 437 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Educational advancement in trust territories | [68] | ||
| 438 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Rural economic development of the Trust Territories | [69] | ||
| 439 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Technical assistance for Trust Territories | [70] | ||
| 440 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Abolition of corporal punishment in Trust Territories | [71] | ||
| 441 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | The Ewe problem | [72] | ||
| 442 (V) | Dec 2, 1950 | Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of Somaliland under Italian Administration | [73] | ||
| 443 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Administrative unions affecting trust territories | [74] | ||
| 444 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Technical assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories | [75] | ||
| 445 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Work of the special Committee on information transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter | [76] | ||
| 446 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Information on human rights in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [77] | ||
| 447 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Comparable statistical information relating to the subjects treated under Article 73 e of the Charter | [78] | ||
| 448 (V) | Dec 12, 1950 | Development of self-government in Non-Self-Governing Territories | [79] | ||
| 449 (V) | Dec 13, 1950 | Question of South West Africa | [80] | ||
| 567 (VI) | Jan. 18, 1952 | Future procedure for the continuation of the study of factors which should be taken into account in deciding whether a territory is or is not a territory whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government | [81] | ||
| 1514 (XV) | Dec 14, 1960 | Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples |
[82] | [83] | |
| 1541 (XV) | Dec 15, 1960 | Principles which should guide members in determining whether or not an obligation exists to transmit the information called for under Article 73 e of the Charter | [84] | ||
| 1654 (XVI) | Nov. 27, 1967 | The situation with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples | [85] | ||
| 43/45 | Nov 22, 1988 | Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples | [86] | ||
| 43/46 | Nov 22, 1988 | Dissemination of information on decolonization | [87] | ||
| 43/47 | Nov 22, 1988 | International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism | [88] | ||
| 55/145 | Dec 8, 2000 | Dissemination of information on decolonization | [89] | ||
| 55/146 | Dec 8, 2000 | 2nd International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism | [90] | ||
| 55/147 | Dec 8, 2000 | Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples | [91] | ||
| 61/130 | Dec 14, 2006 | Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples | [92] | ||
| 65/115 AB | Dec 10, 2010 | Questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands (A. General, B. Individual Territories) | [93] | ||
| 65/116 | Dec 10, 2010 | Dissemination of information on decolonization | [94] | ||
| 65/117 | Dec 10, 2010 | Implementation of the declaration on the granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples | [95] | ||
| 65/118 | Dec 10, 2010 | Fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples | [96] | ||
| 65/119 | Dec 10, 2010 | Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism | [97] |
See also
Web links
- The United Nations and Decolonization
- Colonialism and Anti-Colonial Resistance in the Contemporary Pacific
Footnotes
- ↑ Other common terms: territories that have not yet achieved full self-government ; territories whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government ; Territories whose peoples have not yet achieved full self-government
- ↑ a b Resolution 1541 (XV). (PDF) In: un.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017 .
- ^ A b The United Nations and Decolonization. In: un.org. Retrieved March 18, 2020 (English).
- ↑ Charter. In: unric.org. Retrieved on July 30, 2017 (German).
- ^ Resolution 9 (I). In: un.org. Retrieved August 1, 2017 .
- ^ Resolution 1514 (XV). (PDF) In: un.org. Retrieved July 30, 2017 .
- ↑ UN Resolution 1514 (XV), official German translation , accessed on July 30, 2017
- ↑ a b According to United Nations Secretariat 2019 Working Papers on Non-Self-Governing Territories, for Western Sahara according to UNdata (data.un.org), accessed on March 18, 2020
- ↑ Falklands referendum: Voters choose to remain UK territory . In: BBC News . 2013 ( bbc.com [accessed July 7, 2017]).
- ↑ BBC NEWS | Europe | Q&A: Gibraltar's referendum. In: co.uk. news.bbc.co.uk, accessed July 7, 2017 .
- ↑ Tahiti assembly votes against UN decolonization bid . In: Radio New Zealand . 2013 ( co.nz [accessed July 7, 2017]).
- ↑ Resolution 67/265. In: un.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017 .
- ↑ A / RES / 41/41. Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. In: un.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017 .
- ^ A b c The United Nations and Decolonization. In: un.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017 .
- ↑ The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not recognized by the UN. See also the Cyprus conflict .
- ↑ Referred to as "British Honduras" in the list.
- ↑ From 1975 to 1999 East Timor was occupied by Indonesia . For administration between 1999 and 2002, see United Nations Interim Administration for East Timor
- ↑ Focus on the Pacific, No. 12, 2003 , accessed July 30, 2017
- ↑ UN Charter from Chapter XI , accessed on July 31, 2017.