Abstract

ALMADA E SANTOS, Aurora. The UN and the General Assembly resolutions (1960). Relações Internacionais [online]. 2011, n.30, pp.61-69. ISSN 1645-9199.

Started in 1956, the United Nations diplomatic pressure upon Portugal in order to recognize the right to self-determination and independence of its colonies were enhanced in the General Assembly XV^th session that took place in 1960. Supported by the new approach adopted by the United Nations in what concerned non-self-governing territories, such enhancement was owed to the admission of new states in the Organization. The majority presented by the Afro-Asian countries promoted the adoption of generic principles regarding the self-determination of dependent peoples, the definition of the concept of non-self-governing territories, and the application of such definition to Portuguese colonies. Provided with those new premises the United Nations rejected the technical approach that was until then the distinct mark of its relationship with Portuguese State. Portuguese colonialism began to be viewed by the light of those premises adopted in the General Assembly, which exceeded the Charter dispositions concerning non-self-governing territories.

Keywords : United Nations Organization; self-determination; independence; Portuguese colonialism.

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