The United Nations (UN)’s International Week of Solidarity with the People of Non-Self-Governing Territories is annually observed across the globe from 25th May to 31st May to highlight the efforts to safeguard and guarantee the rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources, including land.
- The day also aims to establish and maintain control over the future development of those resources.
The 2022 International Week of Solidarity with the People of Non-Self-Governing Territories is observed from 25th May to 31st May 2022.
Background:
i.In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/54/91, declared to annually observe the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories, beginning on 25 May.
ii.The first-ever International Week of Solidarity with the People of Non-Self-Governing Territories was observed in 2000, from 25th May to 31st May 2000.
What are Non-Self-Governing Territories?
The UN charter defines a Non-Self-Governing Territory as a Territory whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.
History:
i.In 1946, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom(UK) and the United States of America(USA) listed 72 Territories under their administration, which they considered as non-self-governing territories.
ii.Out of the 72 territories, 8 became independent before 1959.
iii.In 1963, the UNGA approved a revised list of 64 Territories to which the 1960 Declaration on Decolonization was applied.
iv.Between 1960 and 2002, 54 Territories attained self-government and as of May 2022, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining.
International Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism
i.2022 is a part of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021 – 2030).
ii.In 1990, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the UNGA declared 4 consecutive international decades for the eradication of colonialism (1990 – 2000; 2001 – 2010; 2011 – 2020 and 2021 – 2030)
- The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was adopted by the UN in December 1960.
