UNGA Resolution 1514 (XV) 1960 — Declaration on Decolonisation
Summary
Landmark UNGA resolution establishing the right of all colonial peoples to self-determination and independence. Declared that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights. Paragraph 6 preserves the territorial integrity of states but paragraph 2 affirms self-determination as a universal right. This resolution is considered a key element of customary international law on self-determination.
Relevance to the diaspora
Tamil diaspora legal advocates invoke UNGA 1514 to contextualise the Tamil claim to self-determination, arguing that the Tamil people constitute a distinct people whose right to political self-determination has been denied through structural discrimination; the tension between paragraphs 2 and 6 is the central doctrinal dispute.
Key provisions
- Para 1 — alien subjugation is contrary to fundamental human rights
- Para 2 — all peoples have the right to self-determination
- Para 4 — all armed action against dependent peoples shall cease
- Para 6 — territorial integrity and sovereignty shall be respected
Primary source
https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/declaration-granting-independence-colonial-countries-and-peoplesRelated entries
- → UNGA Resolution 2625 (XXV) 1970 — Friendly Relations Declaration (UN)
- → ICCPR Article 1 — Right of Self-Determination (UN)
- → ICJ Advisory Opinion on Kosovo — Accordance with International Law of Declaration of Independence (2010) (UN)
- → UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) 2007 (UN)
Where this law is used in the archive
No dossier, desk or evidence pack currently relies on this entry. It is indexed and sourced, but not yet load-bearing anywhere in the archive.