General Assembly Resolutions
(1975-1982)
Record of
General Assembly Votes on East Timor
(1975-1982)
General Assembly resolution 3485
(XXX)
12 December 1975
(The resolution was adopted by 72 votes to 10, with 43 abstentions)
Question of Timor
The General Assembly,
Recognizing the inalienable right of all people to self-determination and independence in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Having examined 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 People relating do the question of Timor,
Having heard the statements of the representatives of Portugal, as the administering
Power, concerning developments in Portuguese Timor and the implementation with regard to
that Territory of the relevant provisions of the Charter and the Declaration, as well as
those of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 15 December 1960,
Bearing in mind the responsibility of the administering Power to undertake all efforts to
create conditions enabling the people of Portuguese Timor to exercise freely their right
to self- determination, freedom and independence and to determine their future political
status in accordance with the principles of the Charter and the Declaration, in an
atmosphere of peace and order,
Mindful that all States should, in conformity with Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter,
refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or national independence of any State, or from taking any action
inconsistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter,
Deeply concerned at the critical situation resulting from the military intervention of the
armed forces of Indonesia in Portuguese Timor,
Calls upon all States to respect the inalienable right of the people of Portuguese Timor
to self-determination, freedom and independence and to determine their future political
status in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the
Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
Calls upon the administering Power to continue to make every effort to find a solution by
peaceful means through talks between the Government of Portugal and the political parties
representing the people of Portuguese Timor,
Appeals to all the parties in Portuguese Timor to respond positively to efforts to find a
peaceful solution through talks between then and the Government of Portugal in the hope
that such talks will bring an end to the strife in that Territory and lead towards the
orderly exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Portuguese Timor,
Strongly deplores the military intervention of the armed forces of Indonesia in Portuguese
Timor,
Calls upon the Government of Indonesia to desist from further violation of the territorial
integrity of Portuguese Timor and to withdraw without delay its armed forces from the
territory in order to enable the people of the Territory freely to exercise their right to
self-determination and independence,
Draws the attention of the Security Council in conformity with Article 11, paragraph 3, of
the Charter, to the critical situation in the Territory of Timor and recommends that it
take urgent action to protect the territorial integrity of Portuguese Timor and the
inalienable right of its People to self-determination,
Calls upon all States to respect the unity and territorial integrity of Portuguese Timor,
Requests the Government of Portugal to continue its cooperation with the Special Committee
on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and requests the Committee to send a
fact-finding mission to the Territory as soon as possible, in consultation with the
political parties in Portuguese Timor and the Government of Portugal.
Resolution 31/53
1 December 1976
(The resolution was adopted by 68 votes to 20, with 49 abstentions)
The General Assembly
Recognizing the inalienable right of all people to self-determination and independence in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Recalling its resolution 3485 (XXX) of 12 December 1975 and Security Council resolutions
384 (1975) of 22 December 1975 and 389 (1976) of 22 April 1976,
Having examined 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 the Territory,
Bearing in mind the part regarding the question of East Timor of the Political Declaration
adopted by the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries,
held at Colombo from 16 to 19 August 1976,
Having heard the statement of the representative of Portugal, Having also heard the
statement of the representative of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente,
Mindful that all States should, in conformity with Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter
of the United Nations, refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of
force against the territorial integrity or national independence of any State, or in any
other manner inconsistent with the purposes of theUnited Nations,
Deeply concerned at the critical situation resulting from the military intervention of the
armed forces of Indonesia in East Timor,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the People of East Timor to self-determination and
independence and the legitimacy of their struggle to achieve that right,
Reaffirms its resolution 3485 (XXX) and Security Council resolutions 384 (1975) and 389
(1976),
Affirms the principles stated in the part regarding the question of East Timor of the
Political Declaration adopted by the Fifth Conference of Heads of State or Government of
Non-Aligned Countries,
Strongly deplores the persistent refusal of the Government of Indonesia to comply with the
provisions of General Assembly resolution 3485 (XXX) and Security Council resolutions 384
(1975) and 389 (1976).
Rejects the claim that East Timor has been integrated into Indonesia, in as much as the
people of the Territory have not been able to exercise freely their right to self
determination and independence,
Calls upon the Government of Indonesia to withdraw all its forces from the Territory,
Draws the attention of the Security Council, in conformity with Article 11, paragraph 3,
of the Charter of the United Nations, to the critical situation in the Territory of East
Timor and recommends that it should take all effective steps for the immediate
implementation of its resolutions 384 (1975) and 389 (1976) with a view to securing the
full exercise by the people of East Timor of their right to self-determination and
independence,
Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to keep the
situation in the territory under active consideration, to follow the implementation of the
present resolution, to dispatch to the Territory as soon as possible a visiting mission
with a view to the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to report to the General Assembly at
its thirty-second session,
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-second session an item entitled
"Question of East Timor".
Resolution 32/34
28 November 1977
(The resolution was adopted by 67 votes to 26, with 47 abstentions)
The General Assembly
Recognizing the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence in
accordanc with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Having examined 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 the Territory,
Having heard the statement of the representatives of Portugal and Indonesia,
Having also heard the statement of the representatives of the Frente Revolucionaria de
Timor Leste Independente,
Mindful that all States should, in conformity with Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter,
refrain in their international relations from the threat of use of forge against the
territorial integrity or national independence of any State, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the purpose of the United Nations,
Deeply concerned at the continuing critical situation in the Territory, resulting from the
persistent refusal on the part of the Government of Indonesia to comply with the
provisions of the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council,
Recalling its resolutions 3484 (XXX) of 12 December 1975 and 31/53 of 12 December 1976 and
Security Council resolutions 304 (1975) of 22 December 1975 and 389 (1976) of 22 April
1976,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the People of East Timor to self-determination and
independence and the legitimacy of their struggle to achieve that right,
Reaffirms its resolution 3485 (XXX) and 31/53 and Security Council resolutions 384 (1975)
and 389 (1976),
Rejects the claim that East Timor has been integrated into Indonesia inasmuch as the
people of the Territory have not been able to exercise freely their right to self
determination and independence,
Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to keep the
Situation in the Territory under active consideration, to follow the implementation of the
present resolution, to dispatch to the Territory as soon as possible a visiting mission
with a view to the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration and to report thereon
to the General Assembly at its thirty-third session,
Requests the Secretary General in consultation with the Chairman of the Special Committee,
in the meantime to send urgently a special representative to East Timor for the purpose of
making a thorough, on-the-spot assessment of the existing situation in the territory and
of establishing contact with the representatives of the Frente Revolucionaria
de Timor Leste Independente and the Government of Indonesia, as well as the Government of
other States concerned, in order to prepare the ground for a visiting mission of the
Special Committee, and to report thereon to the Special Committee,
Draws the attention of the Security Council, in conformity with Article 11, paragraph 3,
of the Charter of the United Nations, to the critical situation in the Territory of East
Timor and recommends that it should take all effective steps for the implementation of its
resolutions 384 (1975) and 389 (1976) with a view to securing the full exercise by the
people of East
Timor of their right to self-determination and independence,
Calls upon the Government of Indonesia and the leadership of the Frente Revolucionaria de
Timor Leste Independente to facilitate the entry into East Timor of the International
Committee of the Red Cross and other relief organisations in order to assist the people of
the territory,
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-third session the item entitled
"Question of East Timor".
Resolution 33/39
13 December 1978
(The resolution was adopted by 59 votes to 31, with 44 abstentions)
The General Assembly,
Recognizing the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Recalling its resolutions 3485 (XXX) of 12 December 1975, 31/53 of 1 December 1976 and
32/34 of 28 November 1977 and Security Council resolutions, 384 (1975) of 22 December 1975
and 389 (1976) of 22 April 1976,
Having examined the chapter of the report of the Special Committee in the Situation with
regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to
Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to the Territory,
Having heard the statement made an the subject of East Timor, including statement by the
representative of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente,
Deeply concerned at the continuing critical situation in the Territory, resulting from the
persistent refusal on the part of the Government of Indonesia to comply with the
provisions of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council,
Bearing in mind the part of the Declaration of the Conference of Ministers for Foreign
Affairs of Non-Aligned Counties, held at Belgrade from 25 to 30 July 1978, relating to
East Timor,
Mindful that all States should, in conformity with Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter,
refrain in their International relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or national independence of any State, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the purpose of the United Nations,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and
independence, and the legitimacy of their struggle to achieve that right,
Reaffirms its resolutions 3485 (XXX), 31/53 and 32/34 and Security Council resolutions 384
(1975) and 389 (1976),
Requests the Special Committee on the situation with regard to the Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to keep the
situation in the Territory under active consideration, to follow the implementation of the
present resolution, to dispatch to the Territory as soon as possible a visiting mission
with a view to the full and speedy implementation of the Declaration and to report thereon
to the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session,
Draws the attention of the Security Council, in conformity with Article 11, paragraph 3,
of the Charter of the United Nations, to the critical situation in the Territory of East
Timor and recommends that it take all effective steps for the implementation of its
resolutions 384 (1975) and 389 (1976) with a view to securing the full exercise by the
people of East Timor of their right to self determination and independence,
Decides to include in the agenda of its thirty-fourth session the item entitled
"Question of East Timor".
Resolution 34/40
21 November 1979
(Votes: For 62; Against 31; Abstentions 45.)
The General Assembly
Recognising the inalienable right of all peoples to self- determination and independence
in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained
in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960.
Bearing in mind the part of the Political Declaration adopted by the Sixth Conference of
Heads of State or Government of Non- Aligned Countries, held in Havana from 3 to 9
September 1979, relating to East Timor.
Having examined 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 the Territory.
Having heard the statements by the representatives of Portugal, as the administering
Power, and of Indonesia.
Having also heard the statements by the petitioners, including the representative of the
Frente Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Independente.
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and
independence in accordance with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV);
Declares that the people of East Timor must be enabled freely to determine their own
future, under the auspices of the United Nations;
Expresses its deepest concern at the suffering of the people of East Timor as a result of
the situation now prevailing in the Territory;
Calls upon all parties concerned to facilitate the entry into the Territory of
international relief aid in order to alleviate the suffering of the people of East Timor;
Requests the United Nations Children's Fund and the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees to render, within their respective fields of competence, all
possible assistance to the people of East Timor, particularly the children and those
seeking to leave for another country for purposes of family reunion;
Requests the Secretary-General to follow the implementation of the present resolution and
to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session;
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-fifth session, the item
entitled 'Question of East Timor'.
Resolution 35/27
11 November 1980
The General Assembly
Recognizing the inalienable right of all people to self-determination and independence, in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in resolution
1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960.
Considering that the International community is celebrating this year the twentieth
anniversary of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV),
Bearing in mind that the Fifth and Sixth Summits of Heads of State or Government of
Non-Aligned Countries, held in Sri Lanka and Cuba, in 1976 and 1979, respectively,
reaffirmed the right of the people of East Timor to self -determination and independence,
Having examined the chapter and other relevant documents 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 the territory,
Taking into consideration the recent communiqué of the Council of Ministers of Portugal,
of 12 September 1980, in which the Administering Power reaffirms the right of the people
of East Timor to self-determination,
Taking also into consideration the diplomatic initiative by the Portuguese Government with
a view to find a global solution to the problem to East Timor,
Deeply concerned at the continuing suffering of the people of East Timor as a result of
the situation of hostilities still prevailing in the territory,
Having heard the statements by various East Timorese petitioners and international
experts, Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as the Representative of the Frente
Revolucionaria de Timor
Leste Independente - FRETILIN,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and
independence, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December
1960,
Declares that the people of East Timor must be enabled to freely determine their own
future within the framework of the United Nations,
Welcomes the diplomatic initiative by the Portuguese Government as a first step towards
the free exercise by the people of East Timor of their right to self-determination and
independence, and urges all parties directly concerned to cooperate fully of the General
Assembly resolution 1514 (XV),
Expresses its deepest concern at the continuing suffering of the people of East Timor as a
result of the situation still prevailing in the territory,
Request the World Food Program, the United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF - and the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - UNHCR - to render, within their respective
fields of competence, all possible assistance to the people of East Timor, particularly
the children,
Request the Secretary General to follow the implementation of the present resolution and
to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session, on all aspects of
the situation in East Timor, particularly the political developments as related to in
paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4,
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-sixth session an item entitled
"Question of East Timor".
Resolution 36/50
24 November 1981
The General Assembly,
Recognizing the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of the Declaration
on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,
Bearing in mind that the Fifth and Sixth Conferences of Heads of State or Government of
Non-Aligned Countries, held at Colombo and Havana, in 1976 and 1979, respectively,
reaffirmed the right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and independence,
Having examined 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 East Timor and other relevant documents,
Deeply concerned at the suffering of the people of East Timor and at reports of the
critical situation resulting from the new outbreak of famine in the Territory,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the question of East Timor,
Recalling the communiqué of the Council of Ministers of Portugal, issued on 12 September
1980, in which the administering Power pledged to undertake broad initiatives with a view
to ensuring the full and speedy decolonization of East Timor,
Having heard the statement of the representative of Portugal, as the administering Power,
Having heard the statements of the representative of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor
Leste Independente, the liberation movement of East Timor, and various East Timor
petitioners, as well as of representatives of non-governmental organizations,
Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and
independence, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV);
Declares that the people of East Timor must be enabled freely to determine their own
future on the basis of the relevant General Assembly resolutions and internationally
accepted procedures;
Calls upon all interested parties, namely Portugal, as the administering Power, and the
representatives of the East Timorese people, as well as Indonesia, to co-operate fully
with the United Nations with a view to guaranteeing the full exercise of the right to
self-determination by the people of East Timor;
Notes the initiative taken by the Government of Portugal as stated in the communiqué of
the Council of Ministers of Portugal, issued on 12 September 1980, and invites the
administering Power to continue its efforts with a view to ensuring the proper exercise of
the right to self-determination and independence by the people of East Timor, in
accordance with General Assembly RESOLUTION 1514 (XV), and to report to the Special
Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the
Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples on the progress of its
initiative;
Expresses its deepest concern at the reports of the critical situation resulting from the
new outbreak of famine in East Timor and calls upon all specialized agencies and other
organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the World Food Programme, the
United Nations Children's Fund and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, immediately to assist, within their respective fields of competence, the people
of the Territory;
Notes with satisfaction the humanitarian aid given by some Member States and relief
organizations to the people of East Timor and calls upon all Governments concerned to
continue this aid with a view to alleviating the suffering of the people of the Territory;
Requests the Special Committee to keep the situation in the Territory under active
consideration and to follow the implementation of the present RESOLUTION;
Requests the Secretary-General to follow the implementation of the present RESOLUTION and
to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session;
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item
entitled "Question of East Timor".
Resolution 37/30
23 November 1982
The General Assembly,
Recognizing the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination and independence in
accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Declaration on
the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in its
resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, and other relevant United Nations resolutions,
Having examined 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 East Timor and other relevant documents,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the question of East Timor,
Taking note of resolution 1982/20 adopted by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on 8 September 1982,
Having heard the statement of the representative of Portugal, as the administering Power,
Having heard the statement of the representative of Indonesia,
Having heard the statements of the representative of the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor
Leste Independente and of various petitioners, as well as of the representatives of
non-governmental organizations,
Bearing in mind that Portugal, the administering Power, has stated its full and solemn
commitment to uphold the right of the people of East Timor to self-determination and
independence,
Bearing in mind also its resolutions 3485 (XXX) of 12 December 1975, 31/53 of 1 December
1976, 32/34 of 28 November 1977, 33/39 of 13 December 1978, 34/40 of 21 November 1979,
35/27 of 11 November 1980 and 36/50 of 24 November 1981,
Concerned at the humanitarian situation prevailing in the Territory and believing that all
efforts should be made by the international community to improve the living conditions of
the people of East Timor and to guarantee to those people the effective enjoyment of their
fundamental human rights,
Requests the Secretary-General to initiate consultations with all parties directly
concerned, with a view to exploring avenues for achieving a comprehensive settlement of
the problem and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session;
Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to keep the
situation in the Territory under active consideration and to render all assistance to the
Secretary-General with a view to facilitating the implementation of the present
resolution;
Calls upon all specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system,
in particular the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund and the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, immediately to assist, within their
respective fields of competence, the people of East Timor, in close consultation with
Portugal, as the administering Power;
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-eighth session the item
entitled "Question of East Timor".
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