A/RES/74/101
Question of the British Virgin Islands
colonialism by 2020 and the plans of action for the Second 4 and Third International
Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism,
Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the aspirations of the people of
the British Virgin Islands require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the
options for self-determination, without any prejudice to territorial size, geographical
location, size of population or natural resources,
Convinced that the wishes and aspirations of the people of the Territory should
continue to guide the development of their future political status and that
referendums, free and fair elections and other forms of popular consultation play an
important role in ascertaining the wishes and aspirations of the people,
Concerned by the use and exploitation of the natural resources of the Non-SelfGoverning Territories by the administering Powers for their benefit, by the use of
the Territories as international financial centres to the detriment of the world
economy and by the consequences of any economic activities of the administering
Powers that are contrary to the interests of the people of the Territories, as well as to
resolution 1514 (XV),
Convinced that any negotiations to determine the status of the Territory must
take place with the active involvement and participation of the people of the Territory,
under the auspices of the United Nations, on a case-by-case basis, and that the views
of the people of the British Virgin Islands in respect of their right to self-determination
should be ascertained,
Noting the continued cooperation of the Non-Self-Governing Territories at the
local and regional levels, including participation in the work of regional
organizations,
Mindful that, in order for the Special Committee to enhance its understanding
of the political status of the people of the British Virgin Islands and to fulfil its
mandate effectively, it is important for it to be apprised by the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the administering Power and to receive
information from other appropriate sources, including the representatives of the
Territory, concerning the wishes and aspirations of the people of the Territory,
Aware of the importance both to the British Virgin Islands and to the Special
Committee of the participation of elected and appointed representatives of the British
Virgin Islands in the work of the Committee,
Recognizing the need for the Special Committee to ensure that the approp riate
bodies of the United Nations actively pursue a public awareness campaign aimed at
assisting the people of the British Virgin Islands with their inalienable right to self determination and in gaining a better understanding of the options for self determination, on a case-by-case basis,
Mindful, in that connection, that the holding of regional seminars in the
Caribbean and Pacific regions and at Headquarters, with the active participation of
representatives of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, provides a helpful means for
the Special Committee to fulfil its mandate and that the regional nature of the
seminars, which alternate between the Caribbean and the Pacific, is a crucial element
in the context of a United Nations programme for ascertaining the p olitical status of
the Territories,
Welcoming the Caribbean regional seminar on the theme “Implementation of the
Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: accelerating
decolonization through renewed commitment and pragmatic measures ”, held by the
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A/56/61, annex.
19-21918