DECLARATION ON PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW FRIENDLY RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION AMONG STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 1815 (XVII) of 18 December 1962, 1966 (XVIII) of 16 December 1963, 2103 (XX) of 20 December 1965, 2181 (XXI) of 12 December 1966, 2327 (XXII) of 18 December 1967, 2463 (XXIII) of 20 December 1968 and 2533 (XXIV) of 8 December 1969, in which it affirmed the importance of the progressive development and codification
of the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and co-operation among States,
Having considered the report of the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly
Relations and Co-operation among States, which met in Geneva from 31 March to 1 May 1970,
Emphasizing the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security and for the development of Friendly relations and Co-operation among States, Deeply convinced that the adoption of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concer
ning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
United Nations would contribute to the strengthening of
world peace and constitute a landmark in the development of international law and of relations among States, in
promoting the rule of law among nations and particularly the universal application of the principles embodied in the Charter,
Considering the desirability of the wide dissemination of
the text of the Declaration,
1. Approves the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution;
2. Expresses its appreciation to the Special Committee on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly
Relations and Co-operation among States for its work
resulting in the elaboration of the Declaration;
3. Recommends that all efforts be made so that the
Declaration becomes generally known.
1883rd plenary meeting, 24 October 1970
ANNEX
DECLARATION ON PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW CONCERNING FRIENDLY RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION AMONG STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS
PREAMBLE
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming in the terms of the Charter of the United
Nations that the maintenance of international peace and security and the development of friendly relations and co-operation between nations are among the fundamental purposes of the United Nations,
Recalling that the peoples of the United Nations are determined to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours,
Bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights and of developing friendly relations among nations
irrespective of their political, economic and social systems or the levels of their development,
Bearing in mind also the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations in the promotion of the rule of law among nations,
Considering that the faithful observance of the principles
of international law concerning friendly relations and co-operation among States and the fulfillment in good faith of the obligations assumed by States, in accordance with the Charter, is of the greatest im
portance for the maintenance
of international peace and security and for the
implementation of the other purposes of the United Nations,
Noting that the great political, economic and social changes and scientific progress which have taken place in the world since the adoption of the Charter give increased importance to these principles and to the need for their more effective application in the conduct of States wherever carried on,
Recalling the established principle that outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not
subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means, and mindful of the fact that consideration is being given in the
United Nations to the question of establishing other appropriate provisions similarly inspired,
Convinced that the strict observance by States of the obligation not to intervene in the affairs of any other
State is an essential condition to ensure that nations live together in peace with one another, since the practice of any form of intervention not only violates the spirit and letter of the Charter, but also leads to the creation of situations which threaten international peace and security,
Recalling the duty of States to refrain in their
international relations from military, political, economic
or any other form of coercion aimed against the political independence or territorial integrity of any State,
Considering it essential that all States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of
force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations,
Considering it equally essential that all States shall
settle their international disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter,
Reaffirming, in accordance with the Charter, the basic importance of sovereign equality and stressing that the purposes of the United Nations can be implemented only if States enjoy sovereign equality and comply fully with the requirements of this principle in their international relations,
Convinced that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a major obstacle to the promotion of international peace and security, Convinced that the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples constitutes a significant contribution to contemporary international law, and that its effective application is of paramount importance for the promotion of friendly relations among States, based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality,
Convinced in consequence that any attempt aimed at the
partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of a State or country or at its
political independence is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter,
Considering the provisions of the Charter as a whole and taking into account the role of relevant resolutions adopted
by the competent organs of the United Nations relating to
the content of the principles,
Considering that the progressive development and
codification of the following principles:
(a) The principle that States shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence
of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations,
(b) The principle that States shall settle their
international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner
that international peace and security and justice are not endangered,
(c) The duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter,
(d) The duty of States to co-operate with one another in accordance with the Charter,
(e) The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,
(f) The principle of sovereign equality of States,
(g) The principle that States shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the Charter,
so as to secure their more effective application within the international community, would promote the realization of
the purposes of the United Nations,
Having considered the principles of international law
relating to friendly relations and co-operation among States,
1. Solemnly proclaims the following principles:
The principle that States shall refrain in their
international ~ relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political indep
endence
of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations
Every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. Such a threat or use of force constitutes a
violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations and shall never be employed as a means of settling international issues.
A war of aggression constitutes a crime against the peace, for which there is responsibility under international law.
In accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, States have the duty to refrain from propaganda for wars of aggression.
Every State has the duty to refrain from the threat or use
of force to violate the existing international boundaries of another State or as a means of solving international disputes, including territorial disputes and problems concerning frontiers of States.
Every State likewise has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate international lines of demarcation, such as armistice lines, established by or pursuant to an international agreement to which it is a
party or which it is otherwise bound to respect. Nothing in the foregoing shall be construed as prejudicing the
positions of the parties concerned with regard to the status and effects of such lines under their special regimes or as affecting their temporary character.
States have a duty to refrain from acts of reprisal
involving the use of force.
Every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples referred to in the elaboration of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of their right to self-determination and freedom and independence.
Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing or encouraging the organization of irregular forces or armed bands including mercenaries, for incursion into the
territory of another State.
Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in acts of civil strife or terrorist acts in another State or acquiescing in organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts, when the acts referred to in
subjectionthe present paragraph involve a threat or use of force.
The territory of a State shall not be the object of military occupation resulting from the use of force in contravention of the provisions of the Charter. The territory of a State shall not be the object of acquisition by another State resulting from the threat or use of force. No territorial