The United Nations (UN) International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories is annually observed across the globe from 25th to 31st May to protect and guarantee the inalienable rights and resources of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, including land.
- This Week also aims to urge administering Powers and States to establish and maintain control over the future development of these resources.
The 2024 International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories was observed from 25th to 31st May 2024.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), by its resolution A/RES/54/91 “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples” of December 1999 called for the annual observance of 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 Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories was observed from 25th to 31st May 2000.
Non-Self-Governing Territories:
i.Chapter XI of the UN Charter defines Non-Self-Governing Territories as territories “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government”.
ii.In 1946, the UN identified territories lacking self-governance, marking them on a list.
- These territories are administered by countries known as administering Powers.
iii.In 1946, 8 Member States – 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 non-self-governing.
- 8 became independent before 1959. Transmission of information by the administering Power was ceased for 21 Non-Self-Governing territories.
- In 1963, the UNGA approved a revised list of 64 territories to which the 1960 Declaration on Decolonization applied.
- The 1960 Declaration on Decolonization was on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
- From 1960 to 2002, 54 territories achieved self-government.
iv.As of May 2024, 17 non-self-governing territories remain on the agenda of the C-24 (Special Committee on Decolonization).
International Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism:
i.Since 1990, on the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the UN has declared 4 consecutive international decades for the eradication of colonialism.
ii.In 2020, the UNGA adopted a resolution A/RES/75/123, declaring 2021-2030 as the 4th International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
- 1990–2000: The first decade for the Eradication of Colonialism
- 2001–2010: The second decade for the Eradication of Colonialism
- 2011–2020: The third decade for the Eradication of Colonialism
- 2021–2030: The fourth decade for the Eradication of Colonialism
