DECLARATION ON THE INADMISSABILITY OF INTERVENTION
AND INTERFERENCE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF STATES¹

UNGA Resolution 36/103, adopted 12/9/81

 

The General Assembly,

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Deeply concerned at the gravity of the international situation and the increasing threat to universal peace owing to frequent recourse to the threat or use of force, aggression, intimidation, military intervention and occupation, escalation of military presence and all other forms of intervention or interference, direct or indirect, overt or covert, threatening the sovereignty and political independence of other States, with the aim of overthrowing their Governments,

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Recognizing that full observance of the principles of non-intervention and non-interference in the internal and external affairs of sovereign States and peoples . . . either overtly or covertly, is essential to the fulfillment of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

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Reaffirming that no state has the right to intervene directly or indirectly for any reason whatsoever in the internal or external affairs of any other State,

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Solemnly declares that:

1. No State or group of States has the right to intervene or interfere in any form or for any reason whatsoever in the internal and external affairs of other States.

2. The principle of non-intervention and non-interference . . . comprehends the following rights and duties:

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II. (a) The duty of States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any form whatsoever to violate the existing internationally recognized boundaries of another State, to disrupt the political, social or economic order of other States, to overthrow or change the political system of another State or its Government, to cause tension between or among States or to deprive peoples of their national identity and cultural heritage;

II. (c) the duty of a State to refrain from armed intervention, subversion, military occupation or any other form of intervention and interference, overt or covert, directed at another State . . . or any act of political, military, political or economic interference in the internal affairs of another State, including acts of reprisal involving the use of force;

II. (f) The duty of a State to refrain from the promotion, encouragement or support, direct or indirect, of rebellious or secessionist activities within other States, under any pretext whatsoever . . . or any action which seeks to . . . subvert the political order of other States.