A/RES/721(VIII) GA

6 General Assembly-Eighth Session 4. Takes note of the report 2 of the United Nations Good Offices Commission, and in particular its con- clusion that "in view of the response of the Govern- ment of the Union of South Africa, it has been unable to carry out its task to arrange and assist in negotia- tions between the Governments concerned" ; 5. Expresses its regret that the Government of the Union of South Africa: (a) Has refused to make use of the Commission's good offices or to utilize any of the alternative pro- cedures for the settlement of the problem recommended by the four previous resolutions of the General As- sembly; ( b) Has continued to implement the provisions of the Group Areas Act in spite of the provisions of three previous resolutions; ( c) Is proceeding with further legislation contrary to the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the Immigrants Regulation Amend- ment Bill which seeks to prohibit the entry into South Africa of wives and children of South African nationals of Indian origin ; 6. Considers that these actions of the Government of the Union of South Africa are not in keeping with its obligations and responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations; 7. Decides to continue the United Nations Good Offices Commission and urges the Government of the Union of South Africa to co-operate with that Com- mission; 8. Requests the Commission to report to the Gen- eral Assembly at its next regular session the extent of progress achieved, together with its own views on the problem and any proposals which, in its opinion, may lead to a peaceful settlement of it; 9. Again calls upon the Government of the Union of South Africa to refrain from implementing the provisions of the Group Areas Act; 10. Decides to include this item in the provisional agenda of the ninth session of the General Assembly. 457th plenary meeting, 11 November 1953. 720 (VIIl). Report of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pal- estine Refugees in the Near East A The General Assembly, Recal,ling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 Decem- ber 1948, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, 393 (V) of 2 December 1950, 513 (VI) of 26 January 1952 and 614 (VII) of 6 November 1952, Having examined the report 3 of the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pales- tine Refugees in the Near East and the special report 4 of the Director and the Advisory Commission of that Agency, Noting that programme agreements envisaging the commitment of approximately $120 million have been signed by UNRWA with the governments of several Near Eastern countries, pursuant to the plan endorsed 2 See document A/2473. 3 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Eighth Session, Supplement No. 12. 4 See document A/2470/ Add. 1. by the General Assembly in resolution 513 (VI), but that expectations as regards the execution of the proj- ects programme have not bee1:1 realized, Noting also that the situation of the refugees con- tinues to be a matter of grave concern, I. Decides, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III), or to the provi- sions of paragraph 4 of resolution 393 (V), that the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East shall be extended until 30 June 1955, and that its programme shall be again subject to review at the ninth session of the General Assembly; 2. Authorizes the Agency to adopt a budget for relief amounting to $24.8 million for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1954, subject to such adjustments as may be attributable to refugee employment on projects, or as may be necessary to maintain adequate standards, and to adopt a provisional budget for relief of $18 million for the fiscal year ending 30 June 1955; 3. Considers that the projects fund previously au- thorized by the General Assembly in paragraph 2 of resolution 513 (VI) should be maintained at $200 mil- lion until 30 June 1955, and urges UNRWA and the governments of the Near Eastern countries concerned to continue to seek acceptable projects to enable the fund to be utilized for the purposes for which it is intended; 4. Requests the Negotiating Committee for Extra- Budgetary Funds to seek the funds required to meet the current needs of the relief programmes and to invite governments to take into account the need for the additional pledges which will be required to meet the total programme now established at $292.8 mil- lion. B The General Assembly, 458th plenary meeting, 27 November 1953. Having noted that the present memb~rship of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, established pursuant to paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949, is composed of representatives of Egypt, France, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of Amer- ica, Noting further that it is in the general interest that other contributing countries join the Advisory Com- mission, Authorizes the Advisory Commission to increase its membership by not more than two additional members. 458th plenary meeting, 27 November 1953. 721 (VIII). The· question of race conftict in South Africa resulting from the policies of apartheid of the Government of the Union of South Africa The General, Assembly, Hooing considered the report 5 of the United Na- tions Commission on the Racial Situation in the Union 5 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Eighth Ses- sion, Supplement No. 16, document A/2505. Resolutions adopted on the reports of the A.d Hoe Political Committee 7 of South Africa established by resolution 616 A (VII) tions intended to achieve the maintenance of inter- of 5 December 1952, national peace and security, and especially upon re- Noting with concern that the Commission, in its spect for an observance of human rights and funda- study of the racial policies of the Government of the mental freedoms for all and on the establishment and Union of South Africa, has concluded that these pal- maintenance of conditions of economic and social well- icies and their consequences are contrary to the Char- being in all countries"; and that "in a multi-racial ter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, society harmony and respect for human rights and Noting that the Commission had also concluded freedoms and the peaceful development of a unified that: community are best assured when patterns of legisla- (a) "It is highly unlikely, and indeed improbable, tion and practice are directed towards ensuring the that the policy of apartheid will ever be willingly ac- equality before the law of all persons regardless of cepted by the masses subjected to discrimination", and race, creed or colour, and when economic, social, cul- tural and political participation of all racial groups ( b) That the continuance of this policy would make is on a basis of equality"; peaceful solutions increasingly difficult and endanger friendly relations among nations, 2. Expresses appreciation of the work of the Noting further that the Commission considers it de- United Nations Commission on the Racial Situation sirable that the United Nations should request the in the Union of South Africa; Government of the Union of South Africa to recon- 3. Decides that should any of the members of the sider the components of its policy towards various Commission be unable to continue their membership, ethnic groups, the member or members concerned shall, if the Gen- Considering that, in the Commission's own opinion eral Assembly is not sitting, be replaced by a person the time available was too short for a thorough study or persons appointed by the present President of the of all the aspects of the problems assigned to it, General Assembly in consultation with the Secretary- Considering also the Commission's view that one of General; the difficulties encountered by it was the lack of co- 4. Requests the Commission: operation from the Government of the Union of South Af · d · (a) To continue its study of the development of the nca an ' m particular, its refusal to permit the racial situation in the Union of South Africa: Commission to enter its territory, 1. Reaffirms its resolutions 103 (I) of 19 Novem- (i) With reference to the various implications of ber 1946, 377 A (V), section E, of 3 November 1950 ( 1 _ 1 _) the situation for the populations affected; and 616 B (VII) of 5 December 1952, particularly In relation to the provisions of the Charter the passages in those resolutions which state respec- and, in particular, to Article 14; tively that "it is in the higher interests of humanity ( b) To suggest measures which would help to al- to put an immediate end to religious and so-called leviate the situation and promote a peaceful settle- racial persecution and discrimination"· that "endur- ment; ing peace will not be secured solely b; collective se- 5 I · curity arrangements against breaches of international . nv1tes the Government of the Union of South peace and ac.ts of aggression, but that a genuine and Afri~a to extend its full co-operation to the Com- lasting peace depends also upon the observance of all mlsswn; the Principles and Purposes established in the Charter 6. Requests the Commission to report to the Gen- of the United Nations, upon the implementation of the eral Assembly at its ninth session. resolutions of the Security Council, the General As- 469th plenary meeting, sembly and other principal organs of the United Na- 8 December 1953.

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