Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, also known as the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514, was a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly during its fifteenth session, that affirmed independence for countries and peoples under colonial rule.
| UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) | |
|---|---|
| Date | 14 December 1960 |
| Meeting no. | 15 |
| Code | A/RES/1514(XV) ([Resolution 1514 (XV) Document]) |
| Subject | Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. |
Voting summary |
|
| Result | Adopted |
The declaration characterized foreign rule as a violation of human rights, affirmed the right to self-determination, and called for an end to colonial rule. Adom Getachew writes, "Within fifteen years, anticolonial nationalists had successfully captured the UN and transformed the General Assembly into a platform for the international politics of decolonization." According to Christian Reus-Smit, the resolution "produced a tectonic shift in international legitimacy", as it "successfully undermined the institution of empire."
It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 14, 1960. 89 countries voted in favour, none voted against, and nine abstained: Australia, Belgium, Dominican Republic, France, Portugal, Spain, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States.
The Declaration is cited by International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.