35/20. Question of Belize

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of Belize,

Having examined the relevant chapters of the report 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,6

Recalling its resolutions 3432 (XXX) of 8 December 1975, 31/50 of 1 December 1976, 32/32 of 28 November 1977, 33/36 of 13 December 1978 and 34/38 of 21 November 1979,

Having heard the statements of the representatives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland7 and Guatemala,8

Having also heard the statement of the representative of Belize,9

Recalling that the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Havana from 3 to 9 September 1979, reiterated its unconditional support for the Belizean people’s inalienable right to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity and condemned all pressure or threats to prevent the full exercise of that right,10

Reaffirming the principles established in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, set out in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, in particular that all peoples have the right to self-determination, by virtue of which right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development,

Welcoming the fact that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 34/38, negotiations have recently taken place between the Government of Guatemala and the Government of the United Kingdom in close consultation with the Government of Belize and that the respective positions of both sides were clarified with a view to continuing the process of negotiations,

Noting with regret, however, that despite their efforts and good faith it has not yet proved possible for the parties concerned to agree upon a settlement of their differences,

Convinced that the differences that exist between the United Kingdom and Guatemala do not in any way derogate from the inalienable right of the people of Belize to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity and that the continuing inability of the parties to resolve such differences should no longer delay the early and secure exercise of that right,

Recognizing the special responsibility of the United Kingdom, as the administering Power, to take immediate steps to enable the people of Belize to exercise freely and without fear their right to the secure and full independence of all their territory.

1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Belize to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity, and urges all States to render all practical assistance necessary for the secure and early exercise of that right;

2. Declares that Belize should become an independent State before the conclusion of the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly;

3. Calls upon the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to convene a constitutional conference to prepare for the independence of Belize;

4. Calls upon the parties concerned to respect the principle that the threat or use of force should not be applied to prevent the people of Belize from exercising their inalienable right to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity;

5. Urges the Government of the United Kingdom, acting in close consultation with the Government of Belize and the Government of Guatemala to continue their efforts to reach agreement without prejudice to the exercise by the people of Belize of their inalienable rights and in furtherance of the peace and stability of the region and, in this connexion, to consult as appropriate with other specially interested States in the region;

6. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom, as the responsible administering Power, to continue to ensure the security and territorial integrity of Belize;

7. Requests the relevant organs of the United Nations to take such actions as may be appropriate and as may be requested by the administering Power and the Government of Belize in order to facilitate the attainment of independence by Belize and to guarantee its security and territorial integrity thereafter;

8. Welcomes the declared intention of the Government of Belize to apply for membership in the United Nations upon attainment of independence,11 in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations;

9. Calls upon Guatemala and independent Belize to work out arrangements for post-independence co-operation on matters of mutual concern;

10. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to remain seized of the question and to assist the people of Belize in the early exercise of their inalienable rights.

57th Plenary Meeting
11 November 1980

Back to Menu