SPECIAL MEETING IN OBSERVANCE OF WEEK OF SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLES OF COLONIAL TERRITORIES TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS ON 22 MAY
Press Release
GA/COL/2978
SPECIAL MEETING IN OBSERVANCE OF WEEK OF SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLES OF COLONIAL TERRITORIES TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS ON 22 MAY
19980515 The following statement was issued today by the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (Cuba):The Special Committee will hold a special meeting on Friday, 22 May, in observance of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of All Colonial Territories Fighting for Freedom, Independence and Human Rights. In 1972, the General Assembly decided to observe annually this Week in connection with Africa Liberation Day. In 1982, the Assembly expanded the scope of the Week of Solidarity to include its support for the peoples of all other dependent Territories. This was done in conformity with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.
The observance of the Week is also in full accord with the principles enshrined in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV). The Declaration has a tremendous impact not only on the work and the membership of the Organization but also on the global political dimensions which have contributed to world peace and progress. The Declaration, as well as the decolonization process which has followed it, has been the most important achievement of the United Nations in the last four decades. While reviewing the past achievements in the field of decolonization with a sense of pride, the Special Committee continues to believe that the remaining Non-Self Governing Territories on its list deserve the utmost attention by the international community.
The General Assembly, by announcing the Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism by the year 2000, has once again confirmed the urgency of the implementation of the Declaration. The Special Committee has also devoted particular attention to the peculiarities of the remaining Territories such as their lack of resource, remoteness and vulnerability to naturel phenomena. I sincerely hope that all governments, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations will attend this meeting in order to renew the commitment of the international community to the Non-Self-Governing Territories and to fully implement the Declaration in order to achieve freedom and equality for all peoples of the world.
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