A/RES/56/154 GA

United Nations A/RES/56/154 General Assembly Distr.: General 13 February 2002 Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 119 (b) 01 48694 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Third Committee (A/56/583/Add.2)] 56/154. Respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States in electoral processes as an important element for the promotion and protection of human rights The General Assembly, Reaffirming the purpose of the United Nations to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self- determination of peoples and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace, Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Recalling also its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, by which it approved the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming the right to self-determination, by virtue of which all peoples can freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, Recognizing that the principles enshrined in Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of any State, should be respected in the holding of elections, Recognizing also the richness and diversity of democratic political systems and models of free and fair electoral processes in the world, based on national and regional particularities and various backgrounds, Stressing the responsibility of States in ensuring ways and means to facilitate full and effective popular participation in their electoral processes, Recognizing the contribution made by the United Nations of electoral assistance provided to numerous States upon their request, Reaffirming the solemn commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all in accordance with the Charter, other instruments relating to human rights, and international law, A/RES/56/154 2 Welcoming the commitment of all Member States, expressed in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,1 to work collectively for more inclusive political processes allowing genuine participation by all citizens in all countries, 1. Reaffirms that all peoples have the right to self-determination, by virtue of which they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and that every State has the duty to respect that right, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations; 2. Reiterates that periodic, fair and free elections are important elements for the promotion and protection of human rights; 3. Reaffirms the right of peoples to determine methods and to establish institutions regarding electoral processes and that, consequently, States should ensure the necessary mechanisms and means to facilitate full and effective popular participation in those processes; 4. Also reaffirms that free development of the national electoral process in each State should be fully honoured in a manner that fully respects the principles established in the Charter and in the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations;2 5. Further reaffirms that United Nations electoral assistance is provided at the specific request of the Member State concerned; 6. Calls upon all States to refrain from financing political parties or other organizations in any other State in a way that is contrary to the principles of the Charter and that undermines the legitimacy of its electoral processes; 7. Condemns any act of armed aggression or threat or use of force against peoples, their elected Governments or their legitimate leaders; 8. Reaffirms that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government and that this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. 88th plenary meeting 19 December 2001 _______________ 1 See resolution 55/2. 2 Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.

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