Declaration on non-use of force adopted, views on terrorism conference sought.

Declaration on Non-Use of Force adopted, Views on terrorism conference sought

A declaration on the non-use of force in international relations was adopted without vote by the General Assembly on 18 November. The 33-article document sets out principles elaborated over the course of a number of years in a special committee reporting to the Assembly's Sixth (Legal) Committee.

In 1987, the world body adopted 15 texts covering a wide variety of legal issues. Among other things, it condemned as criminal all acts, methods and practices of terroism wherever and by whomever committed, including those which jeopardized friendly relations among States and their security. States were called upon to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in terrorist acts in other States, or acquiescing in activities within their territory directed towards the commission of such acts.

The world body also condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, and against missions and representatives to international intergovernmental organizations and officials of such organizations, emphasizing that such acts could never be justified. States were urged to take measures to ensure effectively the protection, security and safety of all diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.

Declaration

The Declaration on the Enhancement of the Effectiveness of the Principle of Refraining from the Threat or Use of Force in International Relations -- a major achievement of the forty-second Assembly -- states that:

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 United Nations purposes. Such a threat or use of force constituted a violation of international law and the Charter and entailed international responsibility.

States should fulfil their obligations under international law to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in paramilitary, terrorist or subversive acts, including acts of mercenaries, in other States, or acquiescing in organized activities within their territory directed towards the commission of such acts.

The principle of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations is universal in character and binding regardless of each State's political, economic, social or cultural system or...