Chapter III. Selected decisions, recommendations and reports of a legal character by the United Nations and related inter-governmental organizations

SELECTED DECISIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS OF A LEGAL CHARACTER BY THE UNITED NATIONS AND RELATED INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

A. Decisions, recommendations and reports of a legal character by the United Nations

United Nations General Assembly—twenty-first session

1. NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS: REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE EIGHTEEN-NATION COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT (AGENDA ITEM 26)

   Resolution [2153(XXI)] adopted by the General Assembly

   2153 (XXI). Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons

   The General Assembly,

   Having discussed the report of the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,x

   Noting that it has not yet been possible to reach agreement on an international treaty to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons,

   Viewing with apprehension the possibility that such a situation may lead not only to an increase of nuclear arsenals and to a spread of nuclear weapons over the world but also to an increase in the number of nuclear-weapon Powers,

   Believing that if such a situation persists it may lead to the aggravation of tensions between States and the risk of a nuclear war,

   Believing further that the remaining differences between all concerned should be resolved quickly so as to prevent any further delay in the conclusion of an international treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,

   Convinced, therefore, that it is imperative to make further efforts to bring to a conclusion a treaty which reflects the mandate given by the General Assembly in its resolution 2028 (XX) of 19 November 1965 and which is acceptable to all concerned and satisfactory to the international community,

1. Reaffirms its resolution 2028 (XX);

2. Urges all States to take all the necessary steps conducive to the earliest conclusion of a treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons;

   1 Official Records of the Disarmament Commission, Supplement for 1966, document DC/228.

3. Calls upon all nuclear-weapon Powers to refrain from the use, or the threat of use, of nuclear weapons against States which may conclude treaties of the nature defined in paragraph 2 (e) of General Assembly resolution 2028 (XX);

4. Requests the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament to consider urgently the proposal that the nuclear-weapon Powers should give an assurance that they will not use, or threaten to use, nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States without nuclear weapons on their territories, and any other proposals that have been or may be made for the solution of this problem;

5. Calls upon all States to adhere strictly to the principles laid down in its resolution 2028 (XX) for the negotiation of the above-mentioned treaty;

6. Calls upon the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament to give high priority to the question of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in accordance with the mandate contained in General Assembly resolution 2028 (XX);

7. Transmits the records of the First Committee relating to the discussion of the item entitled "Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons", together with all other relevant documents, to the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament;

   8- Requests the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament to submit to the General Assembly at an early date a report on the results of its work on the question of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

   1469th plenary meeting 17 November 1966

   B

   The General Assembly,

   Recalling previous resolutions on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Considering that the further spread of nuclear weapons would endanger the peace and security of all States,

   Convinced that the emergence of additional nuclear-weapon Powers would provoke an uncontrollable nuclear arms race,

   Reiterating that the prevention of further proliferation of nuclear weapons is a matter of the highest priority demanding the unceasing attention of both nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon Powers,

   Believing that a conference of non-nuclear-weapon Powers would contribute to the conclusion of arrangements designed to safeguard the security of those States,

1. Decides to convene a conference of non-nuclear-weapon States to meet not later than July 1968 to consider the following and other related questions:

   "(a) How can the security of the non-nuclear States best be assured?

   "(&) How may non-nuclear Powers co-operate among themselves in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons?

   "(c) How can nuclear devices be used for exclusively peaceful purposes?";

2. Requests the President of the General Assembly immediately to set up a preparatory committee, widely representative of the non-nuclear-weapon States, to make appropriate arrangements for convening the conference and to consider the question of the association of nuclear States with the work of the conference and report thereon to the General Assembly at its twenty-second session.

   1469th plenary meeting 17 November 1966

   64

2. QUESTION OF GENERAL AND COMPLETE DISARMAMENT: REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE EIGHTEEN-NATION COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT (AGENDA ITEM 27)

   Resolution [2162B (XXI)] adopted by the General Assembly

   2162B (XXI) Question of general and complete disarmament

   The General Assembly,

   Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law, Considering that weapons of mass destruction constitute a danger to all mankind and are incompatible with the accepted norms of civilization,

   Affirming that the strict observance of the rules of international law on the conduct of warfare is in the interest of maintaining these standards of civilization,

   Recalling that the Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, of 17 June 1925,2

   has been signed and adopted and is recognized by many States,

   Noting that the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament has the task of seeking an agreement on the cessation of the development and production of chemical and bacteriological weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and on the elimination of all such weapons from national arsenals, as called for in the draft proposals on general and complete disarmament now before the Conference,

1. Calls for strict observance by all States of the principles and objectives of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925, and condemns all actions contrary to those objectives;

2. Invites all States to accede to the Geneva Protocol of 17 June 1925.

   1484th plenary meeting 5 December 1966

3. URGENT NEED FOR SUSPENSION OF NUCLEAR AND THERMONUCLEAR

   TESTS: REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE EIGHTEEN-NATION COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT (AGENDA ITEM 28)

   Resolution [2163 (XXI)] adopted by the General Assembly

   2163 (XXI). Urgent need for suspension of nuclear and thermonuclear tests

   The General Assembly,

   Having considered the question of the cessation of nuclear and thermonuclear weapon tests and the report of the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament,3

   Recalling its resolutions 1762 (XVII) of 6 November 1962,1910 (XVIII) of 27 November

   1963 and 2032 (XX) of 3 December 1965,

   Recalling further the joint memorandum on a comprehensive test ban treaty submitted by Brazil, Burma, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Sweden and the United Arab Republic

   2 League of Nations, Treaty Series, vol. XCTV, 1929, No. 2138.

   3 Official Records of the Disarmament Commission, Supplement for 1966, document DC/228. 65

   and annexed to the report of the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament, 4 and in particular the concrete suggestions contained therein,

   Noting with great concern the fact that all States have not yet adhered to the Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water, signed in Moscow on 5 August 1963,5

   Noting also with great concern that nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere and underground are continuing,

   Taking into account the possibilities of establishing, through international co-operation, an exchange of seismic data so as to create a better scientific basis for national evaluation of seismic events,

   Recognizing the importance of seismology in the verification of the observance of a treaty banning underground nuclear weapon tests,

   Realizing that such a treaty would also constitute an effective measure to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons,

1. Urges all States which have not done so to adhere to the Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water;

2. Calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to suspend nuclear weapon tests in all environments;

3. Expresses the hope that States will contribute to an effective international exchange of seismic data;

4. Requests the Conference of the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament to elaborate without any further delay a treaty banning underground nuclear weapon tests.

   1484th plenary meeting 5 December 1966

4. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER

   SPACE: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE (AGENDA ITEM 30)

   CONCLUSION OF AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE, THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (AGENDA ITEM 89)

   TREATY GOVERNING THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE INCLUDING THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (AGENDA ITEM 91)

   Resolution [2222 (XXI)] adopted by the General Assembly

   2222 (XXI). Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States on the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

   The General Assembly,

   Having considered the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space covering its work during 1966,6 and in particular the work accomplished by the Legal...