Declaration on the Enhancement of the Effectiveness of the Principle of Refraining from the Threat or Use of Force in International Relations
General Assembly resolution 42/22

New York, 18 November 1987
  • Introductory Note
  • Procedural History
  • Documents
  • Photo
F o r t h c o m i n g
Introductory note to be published

The General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Enhancement of the Effectiveness of the Principle of Refraining from the Threat or Use of Force in International Relations, on 18 November 1987, as an annex to resolution 42/22.

The elaboration of the Declaration began on 28 September 1976, when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requested, by letter to the Secretary-General, that an item entitled “Conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations” be included in the provisional agenda of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly. On 4 October 1976, the General Assembly decided to include the item on the agenda of its thirty-first session. On 19 December 1977, the General Assembly decided to establish a Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations for the purpose of, inter alia, drafting a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The Special Committee held nine sessions between 1978 and 1986. In 1987, at its tenth and final session, the Special Committee adopted a draft declaration on the enhancement of the effectiveness of the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations, which was then adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 42/22.

The Declaration consists of three parts. It proclaims 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. It calls on States to take steps, inter alia, to settle peacefully international disputes, achieve general and complete disarmament, and prevent the danger of any armed conflicts. Finally, the Declaration calls upon the competent organs of the United Nations to make full use of the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations in the field of the maintenance of international peace and security.


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On 28 September 1976, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics requested, by letter to the Secretary-General, that the item entitled “Conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations” be included in the provisional agenda of the thirty-first session of the General Assembly, and attached a draft treaty with provisions to this effect (A/31/243). On 4 October 1976, the General Assembly decided to include the item on the agenda of its thirty-first session and allocated it to the First Committee of the General Assembly, on the understanding that it would refer the matter, at the appropriate stage, to the Sixth Committee for examination of its legal implications (A/31/PV.16).

On 25 October 1976, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics submitted a draft resolution (A/C.1/31/L.3) to the First Committee on the conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations; the draft resolution was adopted four days later by the Committee (A/31/305). On the recommendation of the First Committee, the General Assembly adopted resolution 31/9 of 8 November 1976 by which it took note of the draft world treaty and invited Member States to examine it further, alongside other proposals and statements made during the consideration of the matter in the Committee. By resolution 31/9, the General Assembly also requested Member States to communicate to the Secretary-General their views and suggestions on the matter no later than 1 June 1977 and requested the Secretary-General to report to the Assembly at its thirty-second session on the communications received under an item of its agenda entitled “Conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations”.

At the thirty-second session of the General Assembly, in 1977, the item was allocated to the Sixth Committee. The Committee had before it the report of the Secretary-General submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 31/9 (A/32/181 and A/32/181/Add.1), as well as a draft resolution (A/C.6/32/L.18) submitted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by which, as revised (A/C.6/32/L.18/Rev.1), it proposed to establish a Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations with a mandate to consider proposals and suggestions submitted by any State for the purpose of drafting a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes or such other recommendations as the Special Committee deemed appropriate. On 12 December 1977, the Sixth Committee adopted the revised draft resolution and recommended that the General Assembly adopt its proposal (A/32/466). On 19 December 1977, the General Assembly adopted resolution 32/150 by which it accordingly decided to establish a Special Committee, composed of thirty-five Member States, to consider proposals and suggestions submitted by any State, with the goal of drafting a treaty on this topic, and decided to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-third session an item entitled “Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations”.

At the first session of the Special Committee, in 1978, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics introduced the draft world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations. The draft treaty served as the basis for a preliminary discussion in the Special Committee. The Special Committee decided to establish an open-ended Working Group whose mandate would be the same as that entrusted to the Special Committee itself (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations, A/33/41). At the thirty-third session of the General Assembly, following the recommendation of the Sixth Committee (A/33/418), the Assembly adopted resolution 33/96 of 16 December 1978 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it decided, inter alia, that the Special Committee should continue its work and invited Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its second session, in 1979, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter on the basis of comments received from Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 33/96 (A/AC.193/1), and a working paper submitted by five Western European States. The Working Group submitted its report to the Special Committee (A/34/41). At the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, in 1979, the Sixth Committee considered the report of the Special Committee and the report of the Secretary-General received in accordance with resolution 31/9 containing observations from Member States (A/34/410). Following the recommendation of the Sixth Committee (A/34/642), the General Assembly adopted resolution 34/13 of 9 November 1979 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it decided, inter alia, that the Committee should continue its work and invited Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its third session, in 1980, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter on the basis of comments received from Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 34/13 (A/AC.193/2 and Corr.1) as well as a working paper submitted by ten of the non-aligned countries (A/35/41). At the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly, in 1980, following a recommendation of the Sixth Committee (A/35/623), the Assembly adopted resolution 35/50 of 4 December 1980 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee and the fact that the Committee was unable to consider in detail the new proposals submitted to it during its last session, it decided, inter alia, that the Special Committee should continue its work with a view to ensuring a successful completion of its mandate. By the same resolution, the General Assembly also reiterated its invitation to Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its fourth session, in 1981, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter on the basis of the comments and suggestions submitted by Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/50 (A/AC.193/3 and Add.1-3), affording particular attention to the working papers introduced at its 1979 and 1980 sessions, as well as a revised version of the working paper introduced in 1980 (A/36/41). At the thirty-sixth session of the General Assembly, following the recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/36/649), the Assembly adopted resolution 36/31 of 13 November 1981 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it decided, inter alia, that the Committee should continue to work towards a successful completion of its mandate and reiterated the invitation to Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its fifth session, in 1982, the Special Committee continued its discussions of the matter on the basis of comments received by Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 36/31 (A/AC.193/4 and Add.1-3, Add.3/Corr.1 and Add.4) and an informal working paper submitted by its Chairman. This working paper introduced for further consideration among delegations the main elements of the principle of the non-use of force in international relations: manifestations, scope and dimensions of the threat or use of force; general prohibition of the threat or use of force; consequences of the threat or use of force; legitimate use of force; peaceful settlement of disputes; role of the United Nations; and disarmament and confidence-building measures (A/37/41). At the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, following the recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/37/721), the Assembly adopted resolution 37/105 of 16 December 1982, by which it took note, inter alia, of the report of the Special Committee and a statement made by the Chairman of the Special Committee at is session in 1982. The General Assembly requested the Special Committee to begin at its forthcoming session the elaboration of the formulas contained in the informal working paper, taking into account the proposals submitted to it and, in particular, the efforts undertaken at its 1982 session. Finally, the General Assembly reiterated the invitation to Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its sixth session, in 1983, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter on the basis of the comments and suggestions received by Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 37/105 (A/AC.193/5 and Add.1). The Working Group of the Special Committee continued its work with a particular focus on the working paper that had been submitted by the Chairman of the Special Committee in the 1982 session (A/38/41). At the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly, in 1983, following the recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/38/666), the Assembly adopted resolution 38/133 of 19 December 1983 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it decided, inter alia, that the Committee should continue its work and requested it to continue, at its 1984 session, with the elaboration of the main elements of the principle of non-use of force in international relations on the basis of the informal working paper. Finally, the General Assembly reiterated the invitation to Member States to submit comments in accordance with resolution 31/9.

At its seventh session, in 1984, the Special Committee continued its discussions of the matter (A/39/41) on the basis of the comments and suggestions received by the Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 38/133 (A/AC.193/6 and Add.1). At the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly, following a recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/39/776), the Assembly adopted resolution 39/81 of 13 December 1984 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it requested, inter alia, the Special Committee to speed up, at the Committee’s 1985 session, the elaboration of the seven principles contained in the informal working paper, taking duly into account the efforts undertaken at its 1982 to 1984 sessions. The Assembly also requested the Special Committee to concentrate its work in the framework the Committee’s working group.

At its eighth session, in 1985, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter (A/40/41) on the basis of the comments and suggestions received by Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/81 (A/AC.193/7). At the fortieth session of the General Assembly, following the recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/40/1001), the Assembly adopted resolution 40/70 of 11 December 1985 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee and taking into account the suggestions of Member States introduced in the Sixth Committee on the preparation at the present stage of a declaration on the non-use of force in international relations, it decided, inter alia, that the Special Committee should continue its work with the goal of drafting a world treaty on the matter and, at the earliest possible date, as an intermediate stage, drafting a declaration on the non-use of force as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes or such other recommendations as the Special Committee deemed appropriate. The General Assembly further invited the Special Committee, in drafting the declaration, to take into consideration the results of work done in the preparation of the informal working paper containing the main elements of the principle of non-use of force in international relations, as well as suggestions submitted to it and the efforts undertaken at its previous sessions.

At its ninth session, in 1986, the Special Committee continued its consideration of the matter (A/41/41) on the basis of the comments and suggestions received by Member States in accordance with General Assembly resolution 40/70 (A/AC.193/8). At the forty-first session of the General Assembly, following the recommendation of its Sixth Committee (A/41/860), the Assembly adopted resolution 41/76 of 3 December 1986 by which, taking note of the report of the Special Committee, it decided, inter alia, that the Committee should complete a draft declaration on the enhancement of the effectiveness of the principle of non-use of force in international relations. By the same resolution, the General Assembly further invited the Special Committee to submit its final report containing a draft declaration to the Assembly at its forty-second session.

At its tenth and final session, in 1987, the Special Committee concluded its consideration of the matter and adopted a draft declaration on the enhancement of the effectiveness of the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations (A/42/41). At the forty-second session of the General Assembly, during the debate of the matter in the Sixth Committee (A/C.6/42.SR.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 50), Italy introduced a joint draft resolution (A/C.6/42/L.4) which recommended that the General Assembly adopt the draft declaration. On 13 November 1987, the Sixth Committee approved this proposal and accordingly recommended that the General Assembly adopt a resolution to this effect (A/42/766). On 18 November 1987, the General Assembly accordingly adopted, without a vote, resolution 42/22.


Text of the resolution

Selected preparatory documents
(in chronological order)

General Assembly, Letter dated 28 September 1976 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic to the Secretary-General (A/31/243)

General Assembly, Verbatim records of plenary meeting No. 16 held on 4 October 1976 (A/31/PV.16)

General Assembly, Draft resolution submitted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the First Committee (A/C.1/31/L.3, 25 October 1976)

Report of the First Committee to the General Assembly (A/31/305, 2 November 1976)

General Assembly resolution 31/9 of 8 November 1976 (Conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force in international relations)

General Assembly, Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly submitted in accordance with Assembly resolution 31/9 of 8 November 1976 (A/32/181 and Add.1, December 1977)

General Assembly, Draft resolution submitted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the Sixth Committee (A/C.6/32/L.18, December 1977)

General Assembly, Revised draft resolution submitted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the Sixth Committee (A/C.6/32/L.18/Rev.1, December 1977)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/32/466, 14 December 1977)

General Assembly resolution 32/150 of 19 December 1977 (Conclusion of a world treaty on the non-use of force international relations)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/33/41, 13 October 1978)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/33/418, 6 December 1978)

General Assembly resolution 33/96 of 16 December 1978 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 33/96 (A/AC.193/1, 12 April 1979)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/34/41, 4 June 1979)

General Assembly, Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly containing observations from Member States (A/34/410, 31 August 1979)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/34/642, 1 November 1979)

General Assembly resolution 34/13 of 9 November 1979 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 34/13   (A/AC.193/2 and Corr.1, 8 May 1980)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/35/41, 23 June 1980)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/35/732, December 1980)

General Assembly resolution 35/50 of 4 December 1980 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/50   (A/AC.193/3 and Add.1-3, April 1981)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/36/41, 27 May 1981)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/36/649, 6 November 1981)

General Assembly resolution 36/31 of 13 November 1981 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 36/31   (A/AC.193/4 and Add.1-3, Add.3/Corr.1 and Add.4, April 1982)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/37/41, 27 July 1982)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/37/721, 13 December 1982)

General Assembly resolution 37/105 of 16 December 1982 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 37/105   (A/AC.193/5 and Add.1, February 1983)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/38/41, 22 April 1983)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/38/666, 8 December 1983)

General Assembly resolution 38/133 of 19 December 1983 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 38/133   (A/AC.193/6 and Add.1, March 1984)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/39/41, 4 April 1984)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/39/776, 7 December 1984)

General Assembly resolution 39/81 of 13 December 1984 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/81   (A/AC.193/7, 1 February 1985)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/40/41, 10 June 1985)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/40/1001, 6 December 1985)

General Assembly resolution 40/70 of 11 December 1985 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Comments and suggestions of Member States received by the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 40/70 (A/AC.193/8, 11 February 1986)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/41/41, 13 March 1986)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/41/860, 21 November 1986)

General Assembly resolution 41/76 of 3 December 1986 (Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations)

General Assembly, Report of the Special Committee on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Non-Use of Force in International Relations to the General Assembly (A/42/41, 20 May 1987)

General Assembly, Summary records of meetings Nos. 17-21 and 50 held in the Sixth Committee from 12 to 23 October and on 17 November 1987 (A/C.6/42/SR.17, A/C.6/42/SR.18, A/C.6/42/SR.19, A/C.6/42/SR.20, A/C.6/42/SR.21 and A/C.6/42/SR.50)

General Assembly, Joint draft resolution submitted by Italy on behalf of Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Egypt to the Sixth Committee (A/C.6/42/L.4, 4 November 1987)

Report of the Sixth Committee to the General Assembly (A/42/766, 16 November 1987)

     
25 October 1976
First Committee of the General Assembly,
United Nations,
New York.
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