United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1747

by the UN General Assembly

1747 (XVI). The question of Southern Rhodesia

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 containing the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples,

Having considered the report on the question of Southern Rhodesia submitted by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to colonial Countries and Peoples,

Considering that the vast majority of the people of Southern Rhodesia have rejected the Constitution of 6 December 1961,

Deploring the denial of equal political rights and liberties to the vast majority of the people of Southern Rhodesia,

Noting with regret that the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has not yet taken steps to transfer all powers to the people of Southern Rhodesia, as required under paragraph 5 of resolution 1514 (XV),

Having further considered the evidence submitted by the petitioners before the Special Committee,

1. Approves the conclusions 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 on Southern Rhodesia, and affirms that the Territory of Southern Rhodesia is a Non-Self-Governing Territory within the meaning of Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations;

2. Requests the Administering Authority:

(a) To undertake urgently the convening of a constitutional conference, in which there shall be full participation of representatives of all political parties, for the purpose of formulating a constitution for Southern Rhodesia, in place of the Constitution of 6 December 1961, which would ensure the rights of the majority of the people, on the basis of "one man, one vote", in conformity with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration on the Granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, embodied in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

(b) To take immediate steps to restore all rights of the non-European population and remove all restraints and restrictions in law and in practice on the exercise of the freedom of political activity including all laws, ordinances and regulations which directly or indirectly sanction any policy or practice based on racial discrimination;

(c) To grant amnesty to, and ensure the immediate release of, all political prisoners;

3. Requests the Special Committee to continue its constructive efforts towards the earliest implementation of resolution 1514 (XV) with regard to Southern Rhodesia in order to ensure its emergence as an independent African State.

1121st plenary meeting,

28 June 1962