23 November 1982

Question of Bermuda

The General Assembly,

Having considered the question of Bermuda,

Having examined the relevant chapters of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,

Recalling its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, and all other resolutions and decisions of the United Nations relating to Bermuda,

Taking into account the statement of the representative of the administering Power relating to the Territory, in which he said that his Government would fully respect the wishes of the people of Bermuda in determining the future constitutional status of the Territory,

Conscious of the need to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration in respect of the Territory,

Noting with appreciation the continued active participation of the administering Power in the work of the Special Committee in regard to Bermuda, thereby enabling it to conduct a more informed and meaningful examination of the situation in the Territory, with a view to accelerating the process of decolonization for the purpose of the full implementation of the Declaration,

Recalling all relevant resolutions of the United Nations relating to military bases and installations in colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories,

Noting that the economy of the Territory continues to depend heavily on tourism and international company business,

Aware of the special circumstances of the geographical location and economic conditions of the Territory and bearing in mind the necessity of diversifying and strengthening further its economy as a matter of priority in order to promote economic stability,

Mindful that United Nations visiting missions provide an effective means of ascertaining the situation in the small Territories, acquiring adequate first-hand information on the situation prevailing in those Territories and

ascertaining the views of the peoples concerning their future political status,

1. Approves the chapter of the report of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to Bermuda;

2. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Bermuda to self-determination and independence in conformity with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

3. Reiterates the view that such factors as territorial size, geographical location, size of population and limited natural resources should in no way delay the speedy exercise by the people of the Territory of their inalienable right as set out in the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), which fully applies to Bermuda;

4. Urges the administering Power, taking into account the freely expressed will and desire of the people of Bermuda, to continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the full and speedy implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);

5. Reiterates that it is the obligation of the administering Power to create such conditions in the Territory as will enable the people of Bermuda to exercise freely and without interference their inalienable right to self-determination and independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and, in that connection, reaffirms the importance of fostering an awareness among the people of Bermuda of the possibilities open to

them in the exercise of that right;

6. Reaffirms that, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), it is ultimately for the people of Bermuda themselves to decide on their future political status;

7. Reaffirms the importance of the need to foster national unity and a national identity and, in that regard, welcomes the steps taken by the local authorities towards the establishment of a human rights commission;

8. Reaffirms its strong conviction that the administering Power must ensure that military bases and installations do not hinder the population of the Territory from exercising its right to self-determination and independence in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter and urges the administering Power to take all necessary measures to comply fully with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations relating to military bases and installations in colonial and Non-Self-Governing Territories;

9. Urges once again the administering Power, in co-operation with the territorial Government, to continue to take all effective measures to guarantee the right of the people of Bermuda to own and dispose of their natural resources and to establish and maintain control of their future development;

10. Strongly urges the administering Power, in consultation with the Government of Bermuda, to make every effort to diversify the economy of Bermuda, including increased efforts to promote agriculture and fisheries;

11. Welcomes the role being played in the Territory by the United

Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, specifically in programmes of agriculture and fisheries, and urges the specialized agencies and all other organizations of the United Nations system to continue to pay special attention to the development needs

of Bermuda;

12. Reiterates its call upon the administering Power, in co-operation with the local authorities, to continue to expedite the process of "bermudianization" in the Territory and, in that connection, urges that particular attention be paid to greater localization of the public service;

13. Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to receive a visiting mission in the Territory at an appropriate time;

14. Requests the Special Committee to continue the examination of this question at its next session, including the possible dispatch of a visiting mission to Bermuda at an appropriate time and in consultation with the administering Power, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session.