DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Bandung Declaration

Bandung, Indonesia, 1955

 

 

 

The Asian-African Conference, a.k.a. Bandung Conference, convened April 18-24, 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia. The following countries participated:

Afghanistan, Liberia, Cambodia, Libya, People’s Republic of China, Nepal, Egypt, Philippines, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Gold Coast, Sudan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, Jordan, Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam, Laos, State of Viet-Nam, Lebanon, Yemen

 

The conference resulted in a declaration covering the following eight areas:

 

A. Economic co-operation. B. Cultural co-operation. C. Human rights and self-determination. D. Problems of dependent peoples. E. Other problems. F. Promotion of world peace and co-operation. G. Declaration on the promotion of world peace and co-operation.

The text of points C., D. and G. is copied below.

 

C. Human Rights and Self Determination

1. The Asian-African Conference declared its full support of the fundamental principles of Human Rights as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and took note of the universal declaration of Human Rights as a common stan­dard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.

The Conference declared its full support of the principle of self-determination of peoples and nations as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and took note of the United Nations resolutions on the rights of peoples and nations to self-determination, which is a pre­requisite of the full enjoyment of all fundament­al Human Rights.

2. The Asian-African Conference deplored the policies and practices of racial segregation and discrimination which form the basis of govern­ment and human relations in large regions of Africa and in other parts of the world. Such conduct is not only a gross violation of human rights, but also a denial of the fundamental values of civilisation and the dignity of man.

 

The Conference extended its warm sympathy and support for the courageous stand taken by the victims of racial discrimination, especially by the peoples of African and Indian and Pakistani origin in South Africa; applauded all those who sustain their cause; reaffirmed the determination of Asian-African peoples to eradicate every trace of racialism that might exist in their own coun­tries; and pledged to use its full moral influence to guard against the danger of falling victims to the same evil in their struggle to eradicate it.

 

D. Problems of Dependent Peoples

1. The Asian-African Conference discussed the problems of dependent peoples and colonial­ism and the evils arising from the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and ex­ploitation.

The Conference is agreed:

a. in declaring that colonialism in all its manifestations is an evil which should speedily be brought to an end;

b. in affirming that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and ex­ploitation constitutes a denial of funda­mental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and cooperation;

c. in declaring its support of the cause of free­dom and independence for all such peoples; and

d. in calling upon the powers concerned to grant freedom and independence to such peoples.

 

2. In view of the unsettled situation of North Africa and of the persisting denial to the peoples of North Africa of their right to self-determination, the Asian-African Conference declared its support of the rights of the people of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to self-determination and independence and urged the French Government to bring about a peaceful settlement of the issue without delay.

 

G. Declaration on the promotion of world peace and co-operation.

The Asian-African Conference gave anxious thought to the question of world peace and co-operation. It viewed with deep concern the present state of international tension with its danger of an atomic world war. The problem of peace is correlative with the problem of international security. In this connection, all States should co-operate, especially through the United Nations, in bringing about the reduction of armaments and the elimination of nuclear weapons under effective international control. In this way, international peace can be promoted and

nuclear energy may be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. This would help answer the needs particularly of Asia and Africa, for what they urgently require are social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. Freedom and peace are interdependent. The right of self-determination must be enjoyed by all peoples, and freedom and independence must be granted, with the least possible delay, to those who are still dependent peoples. Indeed, all nations should have the right freely to choose their own political and economic systems and their own way of life, in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Free from mistrust and fear, and with confi­dence and goodwill towards each other, nations should practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors and develop friendly cooperation on the basis of the following principles:

1. Respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

2. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.

3. Recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small.

4. Abstention from intervention or interference in the internal affairs of another country.

5. Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

6. a. Abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defence to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers.

    b. Abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries.

7. Refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country.

8. Settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties’ own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

9. Promotion of mutual interests and cooperation.

10. Respect for justice and international obligations.

The Asian and African Conference declares its conviction that friendly cooperation in accordance with these principles would effectively contribute to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security, while cooperation in the economic, social and cultural fields would help bring about the common prosperity and well-being of all.

 

Webpage address: http://franke.uchicago.edu/Final_Communique_Bandung_1955.pdf

 

Print Format: Bandung Declaration.docx

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.