The United Nations and Decolonization

The following is from the official United Nations’ website.

In a vast political reshaping of the world, more than 80 former colonies comprising some 750 million people have gained independence since the creation of the United Nations. At present, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) across the globe remain to be decolonized, home to nearly 2 million people. Thus, the process of decolonization is not complete. Finishing the job will require a continuing dialogue among the administering Powers, the Special Committee on Decolonization, and the peoples of the territories, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions on decolonization.

In 1990, the General Assembly proclaimed the first International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, including a specific plan of action. December 2010 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration, coinciding with the end of the Second International Decade and the proclamation of a Third one.

The Committee of 24 (Special Committee on Decolonization) and its Bureau are assisted by the Decolonization Unit of the Department of Political Affairs for substantive support and by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management for secretariat services. The Department of Public Information carries out a number of outreach activities on decolonization, including the maintenance of this website.

New on the site

• Committee of 24 (Special Committee on Decolonization) 2017 session
• Photo exhibit on decolonization launched at UN Headquarters
• Press statement on behalf of the Special Committee to mark fifty-sixth anniversary of the Declaration on Decolonization
• What the UN Can Do to Assist Non-Self-Governing Territories 
• Fourth Committee 71st session

Committee of 24 (Special Committee on Decolonization)

The Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (also known as the Special Committee on decolonization or C-24), the United Nations entity exclusively devoted to the issue of decolonization, was established in 1961 by the General Assembly with the purpose of monitoring the implementation of the Declaration (General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960).

The Special Committee annually reviews the list of Territories to which the Declaration is applicable and makes recommendations as to its implementation. It also hears statements from NSGTs representatives, dispatches visiting missions, and organizes seminars on the political, social and economic situation in the Territories. Further, the Special Committee annually makes recommendations concerning the dissemination of information to mobilize public opinion in support of the decolonization process, and observes the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

The above is from the official United Nations’ website. 

Information by Jose M. Lopez Sierra:

You will note that Puerto Rico is not on the UN's list of colonies, despite being the oldest and the most populated.

The United States government fooled the United Nations (UN) into taking Puerto Rico off the list.  The UN has not put her back, although it hold a hearing every year about Puerto Rico decolonization usually on the Monday after Fathers’ Day. 

United Comrades for Puerto Rico Decolonization and InformacionAlDesnudo Radio and Television from New York City will broadcast this hearing live for the world to witness as it did last year. Click here to watch the 2016 hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otzBslJLbI0