UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 2625 (XXV).

DECLARATION ON PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW FRIENDLY RELATIONS AND COOPERATION AMONG STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 1815 (XVII) of 18 ecember 1!"#, 1!"" (XVIII) of 1" ecember 1!"$, #1%$ (XX) of #% ecember 1!"5, #181 (XXI) of 1# ecember 1!"", #$#& (XXII) of 18 ecember 1!"&, #'"$ (XXIII) of #% ecember 1!"8 an( #5$$ (XXIV) of 8 ecember 1!"!, in )hich it affirme( the im*ortance of the *rogressi+e (e+elo*ment an( co(ification of the *rinci*les of international la) concerning frien(ly relations an( co,o*eration among -tates, .a+ing consi(ere( the re*ort of the -*ecial /ommittee on 0rinci*les of International 1a) concerning 2rien(ly Relations an( /o,o*eration among -tates, )hich met in Gene+a from $1 3arch to 1 3ay 1!&%, 4m*hasi5ing the *aramount im*ortance of the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations for the maintenance of international *eace an( security an( for the (e+elo*ment of 2rien(ly relations an( /o,o*eration among -tates, ee*ly con+ince( that the a(o*tion of the eclaration on 0rinci*les of International 1a) concerning 2rien(ly Relations an( /o,o*eration among -tates in accor(ance )ith the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations on the occasion of the t)enty,fifth anni+ersary of the 6nite( 7ations )oul( contribute to the strengthening of )orl( *eace an( constitute a lan(mar8 in the (e+elo*ment of international la) an( of relations among -tates, in *romoting the rule of la) among nations an( *articularly the uni+ersal a**lication of the *rinci*les embo(ie( in the /harter, /onsi(ering the (esirability of the )i(e (issemination of the te9t of the eclaration, 1: A**ro+es the eclaration on 0rinci*les of International 1a) concerning 2rien(ly Relations an( /o,o*eration among -tates in accor(ance )ith the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations, the te9t of )hich is anne9e( to the *resent resolution; #: 49*resses its a**reciation to the -*ecial /ommittee on 0rinci*les of International 1a) concerning 2rien(ly Relations an( /o,o*eration among -tates for its )or8 resulting in the elaboration of the eclaration; $: Recommen(s that all efforts be ma(e so that the generally 8no)n: 188$r( *lenary meeting, #' <ctober 1!&% A774X 4/1ARATI<7 <7 0RI7/I014- <2 I7T4R7ATI<7A1 1A= /<7/4R7I7G 2RI47 1> R41ATI<7- A7 /<,<04RATI<7 A3<7G -TAT4- I7 A//<R A7/4 =IT. T.4 /.ART4R <2 T.4 67IT4 7ATI<70R4A3?14 The General Assembly, eclaration becomes

Reaffirming in the terms of the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations that the maintenance of international *eace an( security an( the (e+elo*ment of frien(ly relations an( co,o*eration bet)een nations are among the fun(amental *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations, Recalling that the *eo*les of the 6nite( 7ations are (etermine( to *ractise tolerance an( li+e together in *eace )ith one another as goo( neighbours, ?earing in min( the im*ortance of maintaining an( strengthening international *eace foun(e( u*on free(om, e@uality, Austice an( res*ect for fun(amental human rights an( of (e+elo*ing frien(ly relations among nations irres*ecti+e of their *olitical, economic an( social systems or the le+els of their (e+elo*ment, ?earing in min( also the *aramount im*ortance of the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations in the *romotion of the rule of la) among nations, /onsi(ering that the faithful obser+ance of the *rinci*les of international la) concerning frien(ly relations an( co,o*eration among -tates an( the fulfillment in goo( faith of the obligations assume( by -tates, in accor(ance )ith the /harter, is of the greatest im*ortance for the maintenance of international *eace an( security an( for the im*lementation of the other *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations, 7oting that the great *olitical, economic an( social changes an( scientific *rogress )hich ha+e ta8en *lace in the )orl( since the a(o*tion of the /harter gi+e increase( im*ortance to these *rinci*les an( to the nee( for their more effecti+e a**lication in the con(uct of -tates )here+er carrie( on, Recalling the establishe( *rinci*le that outer s*ace, inclu(ing the 3oon an( other celestial bo(ies, is not subAect to national a**ro*riation by claim of so+ereignty, by means of use or occu*ation, or by any other means, an( min(ful of the fact that consi(eration is being gi+en in the 6nite( 7ations to the @uestion of establishing other a**ro*riate *ro+isions similarly ins*ire(, /on+ince( that the strict obser+ance by -tates of the obligation not to inter+ene in the affairs of any other -tate is an essential con(ition to ensure that nations li+e together in *eace )ith one another, since the *ractice of any form of inter+ention not only +iolates the s*irit an( letter of the /harter, but also lea(s to the creation of situations )hich threaten international *eace an( security, Recalling the (uty of -tates to refrain in their international relations from military, *olitical, economic or any other form of coercion aime( against the *olitical in(e*en(ence or territorial integrity of any -tate, /onsi(ering it essential that all -tates shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or *olitical in(e*en(ence of any -tate, or in any other manner inconsistent )ith the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations, /onsi(ering it e@ually essential that all -tates shall settle their international (is*utes by *eaceful means in accor(ance )ith the /harter, Reaffirming, in accor(ance )ith the /harter, the basic im*ortance of so+ereign e@uality an( stressing that the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations can be im*lemente( only if -tates enAoy so+ereign e@uality an( com*ly fully )ith the re@uirements of this *rinci*le in their international relations,

/on+ince( that the subAection of *eo*les to alien subAugation, (omination an( e9*loitation constitutes a maAor obstacle to the *romotion of international *eace an( security, /on+ince( that the *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self,(etermination of *eo*les constitutes a significant contribution to contem*orary international la), an( that its effecti+e a**lication is of *aramount im*ortance for the *romotion of frien(ly relations among -tates, base( on res*ect for the *rinci*le of so+ereign e@uality, /on+ince( in conse@uence that any attem*t aime( at the *artial or total (isru*tion of the national unity an( territorial integrity of a -tate or country or at its *olitical in(e*en(ence is incom*atible )ith the *ur*oses an( *rinci*les of the /harter, /onsi(ering the *ro+isions of the /harter as a )hole an( ta8ing into account the role of rele+ant resolutions a(o*te( by the com*etent organs of the 6nite( 7ations relating to the content of the *rinci*les, /onsi(ering that the *rogressi+e (e+elo*ment an( co(ification of the follo)ing *rinci*lesB (a) The *rinci*le that -tates shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or *olitical in(e*en(ence of any -tate, or in any other manner inconsistent )ith the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations, (b) The *rinci*le that -tates shall settle their international (is*utes by *eaceful means in such a manner that international *eace an( security an( Austice are not en(angere(, (c) The (uty not to inter+ene in matters )ithin the (omestic Auris(iction of any -tate, in accor(ance )ith the /harter, (() The (uty of -tates to co,o*erate )ith one another in accor(ance )ith the /harter, (e) The *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self,(etermination of *eo*les, (f) The *rinci*le of so+ereign e@uality of -tates, (g) The *rinci*le that -tates shall fulfil in goo( faith the obligations assume( by them in accor(ance )ith the /harter, so as to secure their more effecti+e a**lication )ithin the international community, )oul( *romote the reali5ation of the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations, .a+ing consi(ere( the *rinci*les of international la) relating to frien(ly relations an( co,o*eration among -tates, 1: -olemnly *roclaims the follo)ing *rinci*lesB The *rinci*le that -tates shall refrain in their international C relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or *olitical in(e*en(ence of any -tate or in any other manner inconsistent )ith the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations

4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or *olitical in(e*en(ence of any -tate, or in any other manner inconsistent )ith the *ur*oses of the 6nite( 7ations: -uch a threat or use of force constitutes a +iolation of international la) an( the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations an( shall ne+er be em*loye( as a means of settling international issues: A )ar of aggression constitutes a crime against the *eace, for )hich there is res*onsibility un(er international la): In accor(ance )ith the *ur*oses an( *rinci*les of the 6nite( 7ations, -tates ha+e the (uty to refrain from *ro*agan(a for )ars of aggression: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain from the threat or use of force to +iolate the e9isting international boun(aries of another -tate or as a means of sol+ing international (is*utes, inclu(ing territorial (is*utes an( *roblems concerning frontiers of -tates: 4+ery -tate li8e)ise has the (uty to refrain from the threat or use of force to +iolate international lines of (emarcation, such as armistice lines, establishe( by or *ursuant to an international agreement to )hich it is a *arty or )hich it is other)ise boun( to res*ect: 7othing in the foregoing shall be construe( as *reAu(icing the *ositions of the *arties concerne( )ith regar( to the status an( effects of such lines un(er their s*ecial regimes or as affecting their tem*orary character: -tates ha+e a (uty to refrain from acts of re*risal in+ol+ing the use of force: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain from any forcible action )hich (e*ri+es *eo*les referre( to in the elaboration of the *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self, (etermination of their right to self,(etermination an( free(om an( in(e*en(ence: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain from organi5ing or encouraging the organi5ation of irregular forces or arme( ban(s inclu(ing mercenaries, for incursion into the territory of another -tate: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain from organi5ing, instigating, assisting or *artici*ating in acts of ci+il strife or terrorist acts in another -tate or ac@uiescing in organi5e( acti+ities )ithin its territory (irecte( to)ar(s the commission of such acts, )hen the acts referre( to in the *resent *aragra*h in+ol+e a threat or use of force: The territory of a -tate shall not be the obAect of military occu*ation resulting from the use of force in contra+ention of the *ro+isions of the /harter: The territory of a -tate shall not be the obAect of ac@uisition by another -tate resulting from the threat or use of force: 7o territorial ac@uisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recogni5e( as legal: 7othing in the foregoing shall be construe( as affectingB (a) 0ro+isions of the /harter or any international agreement *rior to the /harter regime an( +ali( un(er international la); or (b) The *o)ers of the -ecurity /ouncil un(er the /harter:

All -tates shall *ursue in goo( faith negotiations for the early conclusion of a uni+ersal treaty on general an( com*lete (isarmament un(er effecti+e international control an( stri+e to a(o*t a**ro*riate measures to re(uce international tensions an( strengthen confi(ence among -tates: All -tates shall com*ly in goo( faith )ith their obligations un(er the generally recogni5e( *rinci*les an( rules of international la) )ith res*ect to the maintenance of international *eace an( security, an( shall en(ea+our to ma8e the 6nite( 7ations security system base( on the /harter more effecti+e: 7othing in the foregoing *aragra*hs shall be construe( as enlarging or (iminishing in any )ay the sco*e of the *ro+isions of the /harter concerning cases in )hich the use of force is la)ful: The *rinci*le that -tates shall settle their international (is*utes by *eaceful means in such a manner that international *eace an( security an( Austice are not en(angere( 4+ery -tate shall settle its international (is*utes )ith other -tates by *eaceful means in such a manner that international *eace an( security an( Austice are not en(angere(: -tates shall accor(ingly see8 early an( Aust settlement of their international (is*utes by negotiation, in@uiry, me(iation, conciliation, arbitration, Au(icial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements or other *eaceful means of their choice: In see8ing such a settlement the *arties shall agree u*on such *eaceful means as may be a**ro*riate to the circumstances an( nature of the (is*ute: The *arties to a (is*ute ha+e the (uty, in the e+ent of failure to reach a solution by any one of the abo+e *eaceful means, to continue to see8 a settlement of the (is*ute by other *eaceful means agree( u*on by them: -tates *arties to an international (is*ute, as )ell as other -tates shall refrain from any action )hich may aggra+ate the -ituation so as to en(anger the maintenance of international *eace an( security, an( shall act in accor(ance )ith the *ur*oses an( *rinci*les of the 6nite( 7ations: International (is*utes shall be settle( on the basis of the -o+ereign e@uality of -tates an( in accor(ance )ith the 0rinci*le of free choice of means: Recourse to, or acce*tance of, a settlement *roce(ure freely agree( to by -tates )ith regar( to e9isting or future (is*utes to )hich they are *arties shall not be regar(e( as incom*atible )ith so+ereign e@uality: 7othing in the foregoing *aragra*hs *reAu(ices or (erogates from the a**licable *ro+isions of the /harter, in *articular those relating to the *acific settlement of international (is*utes: The *rinci*le concerning the (uty not to inter+ene in matters )ithin the (omestic Auris(iction of any -tate, in accor(ance )ith the /harter 7o -tate or grou* of -tates has the right to inter+ene, (irectly or in(irectly, for any reason )hate+er, in the internal or e9ternal affairs of any other -tate: /onse@uently, arme( inter+ention an( all other forms of interference or

attem*te( threats against the *ersonality of the -tate or against its *olitical, economic an( cultural elements, are in +iolation of international la): 7o -tate may use or encourage the use of economic *olitical or any other ty*e of measures to coerce another -tate in or(er to obtain from it the subor(ination of the e9ercise of its so+ereign rights an( to secure from it a(+antages of any 8in(: Also, no -tate shall organi5e, assist, foment, finance, incite or tolerate sub+ersi+e, terrorist or arme( acti+ities (irecte( to)ar(s the +iolent o+erthro) of the regime of another -tate, or interfere in ci+il strife in another -tate: The use of force to (e*ri+e *eo*les of their national i(entity constitutes a +iolation of their inalienable rights an( of the *rinci*le of non,inter+ention: 4+ery -tate has an inalienable right to choose its *olitical, economic, social an( cultural systems, )ithout interference in any form by another -tate: 7othing in the foregoing *aragra*hs shall be construe( as reflecting the rele+ant *ro+isions of the /harter relating to the maintenance of international *eace an( security: The (uty of -tates to co,o*erate )ith one another in accor(ance )ith the /harter -tates ha+e the (uty to co,o*erate )ith one another, irres*ecti+e of the (ifferences in their *olitical, economic an( social systems, in the +arious s*heres of international relations, in or(er to maintain international *eace an( security an( to *romote international economic stability an( *rogress, the general )elfare of nations an( international co,o*eration free from (iscrimination base( on such (ifferences: To this en(B (a) -tates shall co,o*erate )ith other -tates in the maintenance of international *eace an( security; (b) -tates shall co,o*erate in the *romotion of uni+ersal res*ect for, an( obser+ance of, human rights an( fun(amental free(oms for all, an( in the elimination of all forms of racial (iscrimination an( all forms of religious intolerance; (c) -tates shall con(uct their international relations in the economic, social, cultural, technical an( tra(e fiel(s in accor(ance )ith the *rinci*les of so+ereign e@uality an( non,inter+ention; (() -tates 3embers of the 6nite( 7ations ha+e the (uty to ta8e Aoint an( se*arate action in co,o*eration )ith the 6nite( 7ations in accor(ance )ith the rele+ant *ro+isions of the /harter: -tates shoul( co,o*erate in the economic, social an( cultural fiel(s as )ell as in the fiel( of science an( technology an( for the *romotion of international cultural an( e(ucational *rogress: -tates shoul( co,o*erate in the *romotion of economic gro)th throughout the )orl(, es*ecially that of the (e+elo*ing countries: The *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self,(etermination of *eo*les

?y +irtue of the *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self,(etermination of *eo*les enshrine( in the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations, all *eo*les ha+e the right freely to (etermine, )ithout e9ternal interference, their *olitical status an( to *ursue their economic, social an( cultural (e+elo*ment, an( e+ery -tate has the (uty to res*ect this right in accor(ance )ith the *ro+isions of the /harter: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to *romote, through Aoint an( se*arate action, reali5ation of the *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self,(etermination of *eo*les, in accor(ance )ith the *ro+isions of the /harter, an( to ren(er assistance to the 6nite( 7ations in carrying out the res*onsibilities entruste( to it by the /harter regar(ing the im*lementation of the *rinci*le, in or(erB (a) To *romote frien(ly relations an( co,o*eration among -tates; an( (b) To bring a s*ee(y en( to colonialism, ha+ing (ue regar( to the freely e9*resse( )ill of the *eo*les concerne(; an( bearing in min( that subAection of *eo*les to alien subAugation, (omination an( e9*loitation constitutes a +iolation of the *rinci*le, as )ell as a (enial of fun(amental human rights, an( is contrary to the /harter: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to *romote through Aoint an( se*arate action uni+ersal res*ect for an( obser+ance of human rights an( fun(amental free(oms in accor(ance )ith the /harter: The establishment of a so+ereign an( in(e*en(ent -tate, the free association or integration )ith an in(e*en(ent -tate or the emergence into any other *olitical status freely (etermine( by a *eo*le constitute mo(es of im*lementing the right of self,(etermination by that *eo*le: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to refrain from any forcible action )hich (e*ri+es *eo*les referre( to abo+e in the elaboration of the *resent *rinci*le of their right to self,(etermination an( free(om an( in(e*en(ence: In their actions against, an( resistance to, such forcible action in *ursuit of the e9ercise of their right to self,(etermination, such *eo*les are entitle( to see8 an( to recei+e su**ort in accor(ance )ith the *ur*oses an( *rinci*les of the /harter: The territory of a colony or other 7on,-elf,Go+erning Territory has, un(er the /harter, a status se*arate an( (istinct from the territory of the -tate a(ministering it; an( such se*arate an( (istinct status un(er the /harter shall e9ist until the *eo*le of the colony or 7on,-elf,Go+erning Territory ha+e e9ercise( their right of self,(etermination in accor(ance )ith the /harter, an( *articularly its *ur*oses an( *rinci*les: 7othing in the foregoing *aragra*hs shall be construe( as authori5ing or encouraging any action )hich )oul( (ismember or im*air, totally or in *art, the territorial integrity or *olitical unity of so+ereign an( in(e*en(ent -tates con(ucting themsel+es in com*liance )ith the *rinci*le of e@ual rights an( self, (etermination of *eo*les as (escribe( abo+e an( thus *ossesse( of a go+ernment re*resenting the )hole *eo*le belonging to the territory )ithout (istinction as to race, cree( or colour: 4+ery -tate shall refrain from any action aime( at the *artial or total (isru*tion of the national unity an( territorial integrity of any other -tate or country:

The *rinci*le of so+ereign e@uality of -tates All -tates enAoy so+ereign e@uality: They ha+e e@ual rights an( (uties an( are e@ual members of the international community, not)ithstan(ing (ifferences of an economic, social, *olitical or other nature: In *articular, so+ereign e@uality inclu(es the follo)ing elementsB (a) -tates are Au(icially e@ual; (b) 4ach -tate enAoys the rights inherent in full so+ereignty; (c) 4ach -tate has the (uty to res*ect the *ersonality of other -tates; (() The territorial integrity an( *olitical in(e*en(ence of the -tate are in+iolable; (e) 4ach -tate has the right freely to choose an( (e+elo* its *olitical, social, economic an( cultural systems; (f) 4ach -tate has the (uty to com*ly fully an( in goo( faith )ith its international obligations an( to li+e in *eace )ith other -tates: The *rinci*le that -tates shall fulfil in goo( faith the obligations assume( by them in accor(ance )ith the /harter,B 4+ery -tate has the (uty to fulfil in goo( faith the obligations assume( by it in accor(ance )ith the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations: 4+ery -tate has the (uty to fulfil in goo( faith its obligations un(er the generally recogni5e( *rinci*les an( rules of international la): 4+ery -tate has the (uty to fulfil in goo( faith its obligations un(er international agreements +ali( un(er the generally recogni5e( *rinci*les an( rules of international la): =here obligations arising un(er international agreements are in conflict )ith the obligations of 3embers of the 6nite( 7ations un(er the /harter of the 6nite( 7ations, the obligations un(er the /harter shall *re+ail: G474RA1 0ART #: eclares thatB

In their inter*retation an( a**lication the abo+e *rinci*les are interrelate( an( each *rinci*le shoul( be construe( in the conte9t of the other *rinci*les: 7othing in this eclaration shall be construe( as *reAu(icing in any manner the *ro+isions of the /harter or the rights an( (uties of 3ember -tates un(er the /harter or the rights of *eo*les un(er the /harter, ta8ing into account the elaboration of these rights in this eclaration:; $: eclares further thatB The *rinci*les of the /harter )hich are embo(ie( in this eclaration constitute basic *rinci*les of international la), an( conse@uently a**eals to all -tates to be gui(e( by these *rinci*les in their international

con(uct an( to (e+elo* their mutual relations on the basis of the strict obser+ance of these *rinci*les: