Separate Opinion of Judge Padilla Nervo

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053-19710621-ADV-01-03-EN
Parent Document Number
053-19710621-ADV-01-00-EN
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SEPARATE OPINION OF JUDGE PADILLA NERVO

1agree with the Ad-~isoryOpinion given by the Court in answer to the
question put to it by the Security Council.
1accept each and every one of the provisions of the operative clause of
the Opinion.
From the reasoning and conclusions of the Court it has been recog-
nized that the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United
Nations, in the exercise of their competence, their functions and their
duty, have revoked the Mandate of South Africa in respect of Namibia,
have declared that the defacto presence of the former Mandatory in that

territoryis illegal, has the character of a foreign occupation and is an
"aggressive encroachment" on the authority of the United Nations and
on the territory over which South Africa has no legal title.

South Africa therefore has the juridical obligation to withdraw its
administration there, and to CO-operatewith the United Nations for the
peaceful enforcement of its decisions. Other legal consequences of the
continuance of South Africa's unlawfuland defacto presence there are
expressed in the Advisory Opinion rendered by this Court, and some of
the consequences are stated in relevant resolutions of the Security
Council.
For the purpose of this Advisory Opinion the Court was not obliged,
and did not need, to pass upon the objections regarding the validity of
the resolutions concerned; nevertheless the Court considered it appro-
priate to answer such objections, and did recognize the validity and
binding character of the decisions taken in this matter by the General
Assembly and the Security Council.

Availing myself of the right conferred by Article 57 of the Statute,
1wish to append to the Opinion of the Court a separate statement of my
individual views.

Some of the points raised in the written statements are either of a
preliminary nature-as is the question whether or not the Court should
accede to the request for an advisory opinion,-or are related to the
validity of the resolutions of the Security Council and the General 102 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Assembly, as for instance those which terminated the Mandate for South
West Africa and those which declared illegal the presence of South
Africa in Namibia. In my view these points go beyond the scope of the
question put to the Court by the Security Council, which is couched in
the following terms :

"What are the legal consequences for States of the continued
presence of South Africa in Namibia, notwithstanding Security
Council resolution 276 (1970)?"

Nevertheless, as these questions have been raised, 1 will express my
opinion on them.
It has been suggested that the Court should use its discretion whether
or not to accede to a request for an advisory opinion and should in this
case refuse to. give it. The Court "must have full liberty to consider al1
relevant data available to it in forming an opinion on a question posed to
it for an advisory opinion" (Certain Expenses of the United Narions,
I.C.J. Reports 1962, p. 151,at p. 157). In the Certain Expenses case, the

Court referred to the decision taken by the Permanent Court concerning
the Status of Eastern Carelia and found no "compelling reason" why it
should not give the advisory opinion which the General Assembly
requested. The Eastern Carelia case, where the Permanent Court of Inter-
national Justice declined to give an advisory opinion, is not a precedent
in the present case before this Court.

As to the argument that the request of the Security Council should be
refused because it has a political background in which the Court itself has
become involved, the Court unanimously decided, at the beginning of the
oral hearings, to disregard this argument. TheCourt decided not to accede

to the objections raised against the participation of threeMembersof the
Court, which werebased on the contention that thejudges in question had
taken politicai positions in the General Assembly in issues related to
South West Africa, while representing their Governments in the United
Nations. The Court has thereby expressed its opinion in the sense that
the controverted political background of the question is not a reason to
decline to give the advisory opinion requested.
There is no merit either in the other contention which has been ad-
vanced against the Court giving the advisory opinion which the Security
Council requested "considering that an advisory opinion from the

International Court of Justicewould be useful forthe Security Council in
its further consideration of the question of Namibia and in furtherance of
the objectives the Council is seeking". The Eastern Carelia case was
relied upon in support of the contention that the question before the
Court involved a dispute. This matter does not need to be considered
again since the Court by its Order of 29 January decided to reject the
application forthe appointment of a judge ad hoc, because it held that in103 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

the present advisory proceedings there is no dispute pending between
South Africa and any other State.
In theCertain Expenses case, the Court referred to the argument that
the question put to the Court was intertwined with political questions, and
that for this reason the Court should refuse to give an opinion. The
Court replied that most interpretations of the Charter would have poli-
tical significance. The Court, however, could not attribute a political
character to a request which invited it to undertake an essentially judicial

task, namely the interpretation of a treaty provision.

The question put to the Court by the Security Council can be said to be
intertwined with certain political problems, but the actual wording of
such question, asking the Court what are the legal consequences for
States of the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia, indicates
that the position isin fact a legalone even if it may have a political aspect.
In the nature of things it could not be otherwise. The !ine between
political and legal questions is often vague. Examining the close inter-
relation between the political and legal factors in the development of
international law, Dr. Rosenne makes the following comments:

"That interrelation explains the keenness with which elections of
members of the Court are conducted ... But that interrelation goes
further. It explains the conflict of ideologies prevalent today regard-

ing the Court." (Rosenne, The Law and Practice of the International
Court, Vol. 1, p. 4.)
"The Charter of the United Nations and the urgency of current

international problems and aspirations have turned the course of the
organized international Societyinto new directions ... The intellec-
tual atmosphere in which the application today of international law
iscalled has changed, and with it the character of the Court, as the
organ forapplyinginternational law,ischangingtoo." (Ibid.pp. 5-6.)

The full impact upon the Court of those changes is found in the activities
of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Whatever conclusions
might be drawn from these activities, it is evident that their far-reaching
significance lies in the fact that the struggle towards ending colonialism
and racism in Africa, and everywhere, is the overwhelming will of the
international community of our days.

A fair examination of the contentions and arguments disputing the
competence and jurisdiction of the Court to give the opinion requested
leads to the conclusion that they are not valid and ought to be rejected. 104 NAMIBIA (S.W.AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

There are not, in this instance, compelling reasons to make the Court
depart from its unavoidable duty to give the advice requested by the
Security Council.
The proposal ' which became the first operative paragraph of Security
Council resolution 284 (1970) made it clear from the outset that the

termination of the Mandate and the assumption by the General Assembly
of direct responsibility for the Territory was not being called into ques-
tion2. For this had been an "irrevocable step" and "consequently, the
presence of South Africa in Namibia was now illegal and member
States had pledged themselves to fulfil the responsibility which the
United Nations had assumed" 3.The question to be presented to the
Court therefore related to the legal consequences for States of the pres-
ence of South Africa in Namibia after these irrevocable changes had been

brought about.
In general, therefore, from the record of the discussions of the Security
Council and its Sub-Committee immediately preceding the adoption of
Security Council resolution 284 (1970),it would appear that the question
presented to the Court concerns the legal consequences for States of the
continued presence of South Africa in Namibia, not as a mandatory
Power, but as a State which according to the provisions of Security
Council resolution 276 (1970) was continuing to occupy Namibia

illegall4,and in defiance of the relevant United Nations resolutions and
the United Nations Charter 5, notwithstanding that the Mandate for
South West Africa has been terminated 6,the United Nations has assumed
direct responsibility for the Territory until its independence ',and the
Security Council has called upon the Government of South Africa
immediately to withdraw its administration from the Territory

TheIssue tsBe Examined

It has been shown that in formulating the question now before the
Court, the Security Council used the phrase "the continued presence of
South Africa in Namibia, notwithstanding Security Council resolution
276 (1970)", in order to denote the presence of South Africa after the
Mandate had terminated and South Africa had ceased to have any right
to be present as mandatory Power. iltfollows that the legal consequences
for States of this continued presence are not those which resulted directly

from the conduct of South Africa in its former capacity as mandatory

Thatof Finland.
SIAC.17lSR.12. ~.3:andSIAC.17/SR.17. ,.8.
s/Ac.~~'/sR.~~;P.3.'
Security Council resolution 2.6 (.. .).vara.2.
Ibid., para.4.
Ibid., second andthirdpreambularparagraphs.
Ibid., second preambularparagraph.
Ibid.,thirdpreambularparagraph. 105 NAMIBIA (S.W. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Power, but onlytheconsequences of thecontinued South African presence
after the cessation of the mandatory relationship.

Scope of the Question Submitteci

The question before the Court is a lirnited one, narnely what are the
legal consequences for States of the continued presence of South Africa
in Namibia, notwithstanding Security Council resolution 276 (1970)?
In this resolution the Security Council reaffirrned General Assembly
resolution 2145 (XXI) of 27 October 1966,by which the United Nations
decided that the Mandate for South West Africa was terrninated and
assurned direct responsibility for the Territory until its independence, and
also reaffirrned its resolution64 (1969), which recognized this termina-

tion and which called upon the Governrnent of South Africa imrnediately
to withdraw frorn theTerritory.

No other request having been made, the Court will have to assume the
validity of the action taken by the Security Council and the General
Assernbly on the question of Narnibia and that such action was in
accordance with the Charter. The Court should not assume powers of
judicial review of the action of principal organs of the United Nations
without specificrequest to that effect.

The Corenunt

The Covenant is in the nature of a constitutional legal instrument,
which is the source of rights and obligations relating to the system of
mandates and to the securities and safeguards for the performance of
the sacred trust. The principle proclairned in Article,and itsprovisions,

were binding on the Mernbers of the League who were willing to accept
the tutelage and exercise it as rnandatories on behalf of the League in the
interest of the indigenous population.
The Council of the League defined the degree of authority,control,or
administration to be exercised by the Mandatory for South West Africa,
in the terms that the Principalllied and Associated Powers had proposed
that the Mandate should be forrnulated. The purpose of the Mandate for
South West Africa-in the terrns defined by the Council-is to give
practical effect to the principle of the sacred trust of civilization. The
Mandate is the method chosen by the Allied and Associated Powers to
accornplish that end. The legal obligations stated in the Covenant were
translated and spelled out in the specificcase of each mandate "according
to the stage of development of the people, the geographical situation of 106 NAMIBIA (s.w. ASRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

the territory, its economic conditions and other similar circumstances".
AI1 mandates-regardless of their differences in character-have a
cornmon denominalor; al1 were established for the same reason, and
with the object and purpose of giving practical effect to the principle that
the well-being and development of the peoples inhabiting the territories

concerned form a sacred trust of civilization.
The sacred trust is not only a moral idea, it has also a legal character
and significance; it is in fact a legal principle. This concept was incorpo-
rated into the Covenant after long and difficult negotiations between the
partics over the settlement of the colonial issue. It has been observed in

that respect that:
"It was clearly understood by al1concerned that what was involved

was the adoption, with respect to the treatrnent ofindigenous peoples
in certain areas of Africa and Asia, of a principle entirely different
from that in effect until then. The new principle was that, as a
rnatter of international law, the well-being and social progress of
SLIC~ peoples woüld be the responsibility of the 'organized inter-

national community', insured by legal, rather than by solely moral,
considerations."

Sir Arnold McNair, in his separate opinion annexed to the Opinion of
the Court on the International Stutus ofSouth WestAfrica. observed :

"From time to time it happens that a group of great Powers, or a
large number of States both great and small, assume a power to
create by a multipartite treaty some new international régime or
status. which soon acquires a degree of acceptance and durability
extending beyond the limits of the actual contracting parties, and

giving it an objective existence" (I.C.J. Reports 1950.p. 153).

Concept of'Mandates-Rights and Obligations of' Mandator-r.

The Court has given the following account of this question:
"Under Article 119 of the Treaty of Versailles of 28 June 1919,

Germany renounced in favour of the Principal Allied and Associated
Powers al1 her rights and titles over her overseas possessions. The
said Powers, shortiy before the signature of the Treaty of Peace,
agreed to allocate them as Mandates to certain Allied States which
had already occupied them. The terms of al1the 'C' Mandates were

drafted by a Committee of the Supreme Council of the Peace
Conference and approved by the representatives of the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers in the autumn of 1919. with one
reservation which was subsequently withdrawn. AI1 these actions
were taken before the Covenant took effect and before the League of

Nations was established and started functioning in January 1920. The terms ofeach Mandate were subsequently defined and confirmed
by the Council in conformity with Article 22 of the Covenant.

The essential principles of the Mandates System consist chiefly in
the recognition of certain rights of the peoples of the underdeveloped
territories; the establishment of a régime oftutelage for each of such
peoples to be exercised by an advanced nation as a 'Mandatory'
'on behalf of the League of Nations'; and the recognition of 'a sacred
trust of civilisation' laid upon the League as an organized inter-

national community and upon its Member States. This system is
dedicated to the avowed object of promoting the well-being and
development of the peoples concerned and is fortified by setting up
safeguards for the protection of their rights.
These features are inherent in the Mandates System as conceived
by its authors and as entrusted to the respective organs of the

League and the Member States for application. The rights of the
Mandatory in relation to the mandated territory and the inhabitants
have their foundation in the obligations of the Mandatory and they
are, so to speak, mere tools given to enable it to fulfil its obligations.
The fact is that each Mandate under the Mandates System constitutes
a new international institution, the primary, overriding purpose of

which is to promote 'the well-being and development' of the people
of the territory under Mandate." (South West Africa, Preliminary
Objections, Judgment, I.C.J. Reports 1962,p. 329.)

Sir Arnold McNair, in his separate opinion mentioned above, stated:

"The Mandates System seems to nie to be an a fortiori case. The
occasion was the end of a world war. The parties to the treaties of
peace incorporating the Covenant of the League and establishing the
system numbered thirty. The public interest extended far beyond
Europe. Article 22 proclaimed 'the principle that the well-being and
development of such peoples forrn a sacred trust of civilization and

that securities for the performance of this trust should be embodied
in the Covenant'. A large part of the civilized world concurred in
opening a new chapter in the life of between fifteen and twenty
millions of people, and this article was the instrument adopted to
give effect to their desire. In my opinion, the new régimeestablished
in pursuance of this 'principle' has more than a purely contractual

basis, and the territories subjected to it are impressed with a special
legal status, designed to last until modified in the manner indicated
by Article 22. The dissolution of the League has produced certain
difficulties, but, ...they are mechanical difficulties, and the policy
and principles of the new institution have survived the impact of the
events of 1939 to 1946, and have indeed been reincarnated by the

Charter under the name of the 'International Trusteeship System',108 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)
with a new lease of life." (I.C..J.Reports 1950, pp. 154-155, italics

added.)

A riew order based on the proposition that "al1 men are by nature
equally free and independent" has attained solernn recognition in the
basic law of rnany nations and is today-in one forrn or another-

customary declaration, norrn and standard in the constitutional practice
of States. It cannot be ignored that the status of the Territory of South
West Africa is the most explosive international issue of the post-war
world; and the question whether the official poliqv of apartheid, as
practised in the Territory, is or is not compatible with the principles and

legal provisions stated in the Covenant, in the Mandateand in the Charter
of the United Nations, begs an answer by the Court.

It has been contended that there is no express power of revocation of a
mandate provided for under the League Covenant, nor yet an implied
power. In answer to this contention, sorne relevant quotations have been
relied upon during the present proceedings. Wright, in his Mandates

Under the League of Nations, 1930(pp. 440-441). wrote the following:

"Whether the Leag~iecan appoint a new niandatory in case one
of the present rnandatories shoiild cease to function has not been
deterrnined. Nor has it been decided whether the League can disrniss
a mandatory though both powers rnay be irnpliedfrorn the Covenant
assertion that the niandatories act 'on behalf of the League'. and
mernbers of the Permanent Mandates Cornniission have assurned

that they exist. Furtherrnore, it would seern that the mandate of a
given nation would autornatically corne to an end in case the rnanda-
tory ceased to rneet the qualifications stated in the Covenant and
that the League would be the competent authority to recognize such
a fact....Since the areas subject to mandate are defined in Article 22

of the Covenant it would seern that the League, whose competence is
defined by the Covenant, could not withdraw a territory frorn the
status of rnandated territory unless through recognition that the
conditions there defined no longer exist in the territory."

Smuts, in The Leaglreof Nations: A Practical Suggestion, 1918,said 109 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

". .. in case of any flagrant and prolonged abuse of this trust the
population concerned should be able to appeal for redress to the
League, who should in a proper case assert its authority to the full,
even to the extent of removing the mandate, and entrusting it to
some other State, if necessary".

The view existed then that the League could revoke a mandate in the
event of a fundamental breach of its obligation by a mandatory. Annexa-

tion, overt or disguised, was certainly the most grave and fundamental
breach of the essential principles of the mandates system which-as an
international institution-was created by Article 22 of the Covenant.

Conseque17ces of Dissolution of the League

An international régime,the mandates system, was created by Article
22 with a view to giving practical effect to the two principles (a) of

non-annexation, and (b) that the well-being and development of the
peoples inhabiting the mandated territories, not yet able to stand by
themselves, form "a sacred trust of civilization". The creation of this new
international institution did not involve any cession of territory or
transfer of sovereignty, and the mandatory was to exercisean international
function of administration on behalf of the League of Nations. The

mandate was created in the interests of the inhabitants and of humanity
in general, as an international institution with an internationalabject-a
sacred trust of civilization.

The international rules regulating the mandate constituted an inter-
national status for the territory. The functions were of an international

character and their exercise, therefore, was subjected to the supervision
of the Council of the League of Nations and to the obligation to submit
annual reports.
Obligations: (a) administration as a "sacred trust"; (b) machinery for
implementation, supervision and control as "securities for the perfor-
mance of this trust". These obligations represent the very essence of the

"sacred trust". Neither the fulfilment of these obligations, nor the rights
of the population, could be brought to an end with the liquidation of the
League, as they did not depend on the existenceof the League.

The provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 80 of the Charter presuppose
that the rights of States and peoples should not lapse automatically on the

dissolution of the League.
The resolution of the League Assembly of 18 April 1946 had to recog-
nize that the functions of the League terminated with its existence, at the
same time the Assembly recognized that Chapters XI, XII and XII1 of the
Charter embodied the principles declared in Article 22 of the Covenant110 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

of the League of Nations. In paragraph 4 ofthat resolution, the mandatory
Powers recognized that some time would elapse from the termination of
the League to the implementation of the trusteeship system, and assumed
the obligation to continue nevertheless, in the meantime, to administer
the territories under inandate for the well-being of the peoples concerned,
until other arrangements had been agreed between them and the United

Nations.
The Assembly understood that the mandates were to continue in
existence until "other arrangements" were established, concerning the
future status of the territory concerned. Maintaining the status quo
meant: to administer the territory as a sacred trust and to give account

and to report on the acts of administration.
There are decisive reasons for an affirmative answer to the question
whether the supervisory functions of the League were to be exercised
by the new international organization created by the Charter. The
authors of the Covenant considered that the effective performance of the

sacred trust of civilization required that the administration of the man-
dated territories should be subjected to international supervision. The
necessity for supervision continues to exist. It cannot be admitted that
the obligation to submit to supervision has disappeared, merely becaiise
the supervisory organ under the mandates system has ceased to exist.
when the United Nations has another international organ performing

similar supervisory functions.
Article 80, paragraph 1, of the Charter purports to safeguard the
rights of the peoples of mandated territories iintil trusteeship agreements
are concluded, but no such rights of the peoples could be effectively
safeguarded without international supervision and a duty to render

reports to a supervisory organ.
The resolution of 18 April 1946 of the Assembly of the League pre-
supposes that the supervisory functions exercised by the League would be
taken over by the United Nations, and the General Assembly has the
competence derived from the provisions of Article 10of the Charter, and
is legally qualified to exercisesuch supervisory fiinctions.

On 31 January 1923 the Council of the League adopted certain ruies
by which the mandatory governments were to transmit petitions. This
right which the inhabitants of South West Africa had thus acquired is
maintained by Article 80, paragraph 1, of the Charter. The dispatch and
examination of petitions form a part of the supervision, and petitions are

to be transmitted by the South African Government to the General
Assembly, which is legally qualified to deal with them.
At its final session, on 18 April 1946, the League of Nations adopted
a resolution, already referred to, concerning the mandates system, of
which the last two paragraphs read as follows:

"[The Assembly:] 3. Recognizes that, on the termination of the
League's existence, its functions with respect to the mandated 111 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP.PADILLA NERVO)

territories willme to an end, but notes that Chapters XI, XII
and XII1 of the Charter of the United Nations embody principles
corresponding tothose declared in Article 22 of the Covenant of
the League;
4. Takes note of the expressed intentions of the Members of the
League now administering territoriesunder mandate to continue

to administer them for the well-being and development of the
peoples concerned in accordance with the obligations contained in
the respective Mandates, until other arrangements have been agreed
between the United Nations and the respective mandatory Powers."

EFFECT OF RESOLUTIO2 N145 (XXI) OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBL YF THE
UNITED NATIONS AND OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

The Principleof Non-Discrimination

The United Nations and the General Assembly were entrusted with
special tasks under the Charter of the United Nations and, among other
tasks, to "encourage and promote respect for human rights and for
fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race..."
(Art. 76 (c); Art. 1 (3)). The General Assembly has competence in
respect of the interpretation of the Charter, and power to enactre-
commendations regarding racial discrimination which have evolked as
principles or standards of general international acceptance.
The principle of non-discrimination on account of race or colour
has a great impact in the maintenance of international peace, and the

Organization has the duty toensure that al1 States-eventhose which
are notmembers-shall act, in accordance with the principles of Article 2
of the Charter, in the pursuit of the purposes stated in Article 1-among
them to promote and encourage respect foruman rights and fundamen-
ta1 freedoms for al], without racial discrimination (Art. 1 (3)).

Signlficanceof the Recommendationsof the General Assembly

Nobody would dispute the powers of the General Assembly to discuss
such matters as racial discrimination, in general, and especially when

they occurin a mandated territory which has an international status and
is an institution or régime whichis the concern of the Assembly. The
International Court is guided by itsatute and its Rules, but even the
Court's functions and powers may be discussed by the General Assembly,
which may make recommendations (to the United Nations Members)
in respect to them, and propose or evolve additional subsidiaryns
which the Court should apply for the determination of rules of law. 112 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

The numerous and almost ilnanimous recommendations regarding
apartheid and racial discrimination are made to the Members of the
United Nations, but the Court cannot overlook or minimize their over-
riding importance and relevance. The idea of concern for peoples, for
the recognition of the role of the common man, and especially for the

peoples "not yet able to stand for themselves under the strenuous
conditions of the modern world", was the one that moved the authors
of the Covenant and is at the root of the Mandate.

For purposes of the interpretation of the Mandate according to both
its spirit and its letter, the dissolution or liquidation of the League is

not of permanent importance, since the Mandate survived. But for a
just interpretation of its terms and spirit, it is important to keep in mind
that such interpretation is being made today; that this Court is sitting in
1971 and not in 1920, and that the international community of today,
the United Nations, has the right and the duty to see that the sacred
trust is ~erformed. For that reason and to that effect. manv resolutions

were adopted in the General Assembly and are relevant'and of the greatest
importance in the consideration of the South West Africa case.

It is therefore in the exercise of its rights and duties that the General
Assembly, through its resolutions, has passed judgment on the application

in the mandated territory of the official policy of racial discrimination,
and recognized the rules and standards which the Mandatory bC yts
policy of apartheid contravenes, in violation of its obligations under the
Mandate, obligations which are not dormant at al], but alive and in
action, as are equally well alive and not dormant the rights of the peoples
of the Territory who are the beneficiaries of such obligations.

After the 1950 Opinion has been accepted and approved by the
General Assembly, it was the "law recognized by the United Nations"
(Judge Sir Hersch Lauterpacht, in Admissibility of Hearings of Petitioners
by the Committee on South West A,frica, I.C.J.Reports 1956.p. 46).
The General Assembly has had, under the relevant international

instruments, several distinct roles in regard to Namibia, and the action
which it took in this instance finds its bases in al1 these roles taken
either individually or together. The General Assembly acted: in its
capacity as the supervisory authority for the Mandate for South West
Africa; as the sole organ of theinternational community responsible for
ensuring the fulfilment of the obligations and sacred trust assumed in

respect of the people and Territory of Namibia; and as the organ prima-
rily conczrned with non-self-governing and trust territories. 114 NAMIBIA (s.w.AFRICA) (SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Assembly; stated that the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia
was illegal; and called upon theGovernment of South Africa to withdraw
immediately its administration from the Territory. The Security Council
further reiterated its endorsement of the General Assembly decisions
by its resolutions 269 (1969), 276 (1970) and 283 (1970). To the extent
that General Assembly resolution 2145 (XXI) may be considered a
recommendation to th? Security Council, it became fully effective upon
its endorsement by the Council.

It cannot be denied that the combined action of both principal organs
with respect to Namibia is effective beyond any constitutional or legal
challenge.
This Court has previously stated in 1950 and reaffirmed in its 1962

Judgment: "to retain the rights derived from the Mandate and to deny
the obligations thereunder could not be justified" (I.C.J. Reports 1950,
p. 133).
There was general agreement that the General Assembly had a duty to
act on the basis of its own assessment of the situationlearly summed up
in the preamble of the relevant resolution.
In two resolutions unanimously adopted by the Security Council in
1968, the Council took note of the termination of the Mandate by the
General Assembly and took it into account. In four additional resolutions
adopted in 1969 and 1970, the Security Council recognized that the
General Assembly had terminated the Mandate, ruledthat the continued
presence of South Africa in Namibia was illegal, called uponSouth Africa
to withdraw its administration from the Territory, strongly condemned

South Africa for its refusa1 to do so and declared al1actions taken by
South Africa on behalf of or concerningNamibia to be illegaland invalid.

There is no doubt in my view, that General Assembly resolution 2145
(XXI) is valid, and that the Security Council resolution 276 (1970)is
also valid. Furthermore, the combined effect of the resolutions of these
two principal organs of the United Nations justifies the validity of the
termination of South Africa's Mandate over Namibia and makes its
continued presence in that Territory illegal.
Namibia has been and remains an international responsibility which,
though formerly discharged through the agency of the South African
Government, has at al1 times constituted an exercise of international

rather than of sovereign authority. A further part of this pren~iseis that
the people and Territory of Namibia have, forthe past 50years, possessed
a sui generis international status, not being under the sovereignty of any
State, and having been placed under the overall authority and protection
of the international community represented since 1946 by the United
Nations.

Neither South Africa nor the United Nations has possessed rights in Namibia for any purpose other than to secure the rights and interests of

the people of the Territory. For the Mandate did not confer ownership
or sovereignty or permanent rights, but consisted only of a conditional
grant of powers for the achievement of a purpose-not for the benefitof
the grantee but for the bene5.tof a third Party, the people and Territory
of Namibia-which powers were to be relinquished as soon as the
purpose was achieved.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted, on 24 October 1970,
resolution 2625 (XXV) embodying a Declaration on principles of Inter-
national Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among
States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The
Declaration States, inter alia, in the sixth paragraph of the section The
principle of equal rights and self-determinationof peoples:

"The territory of a colony or other Non-Self-Governing Territory
has, under the Charter, a status separate and distinct from the
territory of the State administering it; andsuch separate and distinct
status under the Charter shall exist until the people of the colony or
Non-Self-Governing Territory have exercised their right of self-
determination in accordance with the Charter, and particularly its
purposes and principles."

By this Declaration, the General Assembly also declared further that:

"The principles of the Charter which are embodied in this Decla-
ration constitute basic principles of international law,"

and consequently appealed to al1States-

"to be guided by these principles in their international conduct and
to develop their mutual relations on the basis of their strict obser-
vance." (Declaration, ibid.,General part,para. 3.)

The United Nations had valid reason to proceed to the revocation.
In resolution 2145(XXI)the General Assembly relied on various grounds
for its decision, and some at least of those grounds are of such a nature
that their validitycan be established without it being necessary to go into
factual issues.
In the operative part of resolution 2145 (XXI) the General Assembly,
interalia,

(i) reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of South West Africa
to self-determination, freedom and independence; (ii) reaffirmed that South West Africa is a territory having international

status which it shall maintain until it achieves independence;

(iii) declared that South Africa had failed to fulfil its obligations in
respect of the Territory and had disavowed the Mandate;
(iv) decided that the Mandate conferred upon His Britannic Majesty
to be exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Union of

South Africa is, therefore, terminated; that South Africa has no
other right to administer the Territory and that henceforth South
West Africa comes under the direct responsibility of the United
Nations;
(v) resolved to discharge these responsibilities with respect to South
West Africa;

(vi) established an adhoc committee to recommend practical means by
which South West Africa should be administered so as to enable
the people of the Territory to exercise their right of self-determina-
tion and to achieve independence;
(vii) called upon the Government of South Africa forthwith to refrain
and desist from any action which will, in any manner whatsoever,

alter or tend to alter the present international status of South West
Africa;
(viii) called the attention of the Security qouncil to this resolution, and
(ix) requested al1States to extend their whole-hearted CO-operation and
assistance in implementing this resolution.

The Security Council, in aid of the decisions taken by the General
Assembly, upheld the principles embodied in General Assembly resolution
2145 (XXI), and adopted resolutions 245, 246 (1968); 264, 269 (1969);
276, 283 and 284 (1970). In these resolutions, the Security Council
recognized that the General Assembly had terminated the Mandate of
South Africa over Namibia and assumed direct responsibility for the

Territory until its independence, and called upon the Government of
South Africa to withdraw its administration from the Territory immedi-
ately (resolution 264 of 1969,reaffirmed in later resolutions).
The request for advisory opinion was made in resolution 284 (1970).
By this resolution, the Security Council reaffirmed the special responsi-
bility of the United Nations with regard to the Territory and the people

of Namibia, recalled resolution 276 and decided to submit the question
to the International Court of Justice for an advisoryopinion.

In resolution 276 (1970), the Security Council reaffirmed General
Assembly resolution 2145 (XXI) by which théUnited Nations decided to
terminate the Mandate of South West Africa and assumed direct responsi-

bility for the Territory until its independence, and reaffirmed Security
Council resolution 264 (1969) which recognized this termination and
called upon the Government of South Africa immediately to withdraw 117 I4AMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA SEP. OP. PADlLLA NERVO)

from this Territory. Neither the Security Council nor the General Assem-
bly has requested the Court to advise on the legal validity or otherwise
of the action taken by them or the resolutions passed by them.

The principles of the Charter, on the basis of which action has been
taken by the General Assembly and the Security Council, have been
elaborated in the United Nations Declaration on Principles of Interna-
tional Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among
States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which was
unanimously adopted by the General Assembly on 24 October 1970.

The first argument against the formal validity of Security Council
resolutions in general is based by the South African Government on the
composition of the Council and concerns the representation of China-
the "Republic of China", as it isnamed in paragraph I of Article 23of the
Charter. It is the Government of Nationalist China which has occupied
the permanent seat of China from the foundation of the United Nations
down to today. South Africa itself has always considered the Nationalist
Government as the legal Government of China. When it cornes to the
right of representation of two rival governments of a member State, it is
obviously the competent organ of the United Nations, in this case the
General Assembly, which should decide. Up to now, there has not been
any change in the representation of China in the United Nations. This
objection to the validity of SecurityCouncil resolutions should, therefore

be rejected.

The South African Government alleges that the Security Council did
not act in conformity with the procedure laid down by Article 27, para-
graph 3, of the Charter, when it adopted the various resolutions dealing
with the question now before the Court,andthat in consequence al1those
resolutions are nul1 and void. Resolution 284 (1970), containing the
request for an advisory opinion which underlies the present proceedings,
was adopted despite the abstention of three members, two of which were
permanent members. Likewise resolution 276 (1970)was adopted in spite
of the abstention of two permanent members and, at the previous vote on
a phrase in the draft resolution, the words in question were retained des-
pite the abstention of four members, three of which werepermanent mem-

bers. Nevertheless, those votes cannot be considered as irregular and thus
nuIl and void, for there is a long-standing practice, followed by the
Security Council since 1950,which has interpreted the provisions of Ar-
ticle 27, paragraph 3, in such a way that the abstention of one or more
permanent members does not have the same effect as a negative vote.
It is also generally recognized that the absence of a permanent member
from a meeting of the Security Council does not prevent the taking of
decisions which are valid even if they relate to questions of substance.
The new procedural practice with regard to votes in the Security Council
was followed without any objection on the part of the General Assembly. 118 NAMlBlA (S.W. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Article 32 of the Charter, which is relied upon by the South African
Government, presupposes the existence of a dispute to which the State
which is not a member of the Security Council is a Party, as a ground for

having the right to participate, without the right to vote, in discussions
relating to that dispute. It is not the purpose of Security Council resolution
284 (1970) to settle a dispute between States; it is connected with a
situation,namely the question of Namibia, and with the responsibilities
which the United Nations assumed in 1966 (resolution 2145 (XXI)) in
respect of that Territory and its inhabitants. Article 32 of the Charter was

therefore not applicable. Although the definite aini of the Council, when
it adopted resolution 276 (1970), was to obtain the withdrawal of the
South African authorities from Namibia, the intention was, at the same
time, to strengthen the maintenance of international peace and security
and to reduce the existing tension. As the matter at issue was not a

dispute between States but a situation which concerned the United
Nations as such, the Security Council was under no obligation to invite
South Africa to participate, without the right to vote, in the discussions
which preceded the adoption of the resolution.
Article 24 of the Charter constitutes a legal basis for resolution 276
(1970) of the Security Council. That Article confers on the Council not

only the specificpowers set forth in Chapters VI, VII, VI11and XII, but
also general powers, consistent with the aims and principles of the United
Nations. With regard to the interpretation of Article 24 of the Charter,
it is said in the treatise published in 1969 by Goodrich, Hambro and
Simons, entitled Charter of the United Nations: "Article 24 (2) states that

the 'specific powers granted to the Security Council' are laid down in
Chapters VI, VlI, VI11and XII of the Charter. This statement raises the
question whether the Council has these powers only or whether it may
exercise such other powers, consistent with the purposes and principles
of the Charter, as are necessary for it to discharge its responsibilities.
The latter, more liberal interpretation has been generally accepted."

(P. 204.) The objections of the South African Government to the intrinsic
validity of resolution 276 (1970) of the Security Council should be dis-
missed.

The first four paragraphs of the operative part of the resolution are

addressed in the first place to South Africa. They all, in particular para-
graph 2, contain important findings which bind that State legally. It is
therefore put under an obligation, by virtue of Article 25 of the Charter,
to modify its conduct in the Namibia question in conformity with the
decisions of the Security Council. Given that the continued presence of the
South African authorities in Namibia is illegal, al1the measures taken by

them in the name of that Territory, or concerning that Territory, after the
cessation of the Mandate, are illegal and invalid. That finding is also119 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

binding on al1 member States of the United Nations other than South
Africa.

It must be pointed out that South Africa, in international law, has,
so long as its illegalpresence in Namibia lasts, certain obligations vis-à-vis
that Territory and its population. Those obligations are for the most part
the same as were incumbent upon South Africa before the cessation of the
Mandate. It is thus under an obligation to promote in continuous fashion
the well-being and development of the peoples of the Territory, in con-
formity with Article 22 of the League of Nations Covenant and with the
Mandate for South West Africa. South Africa has likewise an obligation
to act in conformity with the Declaration regarding non-self-governing
territories forming Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter. No matter
under what régime,human rights have to be respected in Namibia as
elsewhere.
The South African Government, after its attempts to annex the man-

dated territory had been defeated by the vigorous resistance of the United
Nations, and after it had definitely refused to subject the Territory to
trusteeship, nonetheless stated on various occasions that it would main-
tain the status quo, and that it would continue to administer the Territory
in the spirit of the current Mandate.
Included among the international rules which are binding on the
administration of the international territory of Namibia are declarations
and resolutions formally adopted by the principal organs of the United
Nations which represent generally accepted interpretations and applica-
tions of the provisions of the United Nations Charter, and which either
are of general application, or are stated to have specific reference to the
situation of Namibia.
The legal consequence for South Africa of its continued and illegal

presence in Namibia, is therefore that this constit~itesan internationally
wrongful act and a breach of international legal obligations, owing by
South Africa not only to the United Nations but also to the people and
Territory of Namibia.

All States are required, under the provisions of Article 25 of the United
Nations Charter, to comply with the resolutions of the Security Council
and to assist the United Nations under Article 2, paragraph 5, of the
Charter in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter. States are
obliged to support the United Nations in securing the withdrawal of the
South African administration from Namibia and in ensuring the free and
effectiveexercise by the people of Namibia of their right to self-determi- 120 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

nation and independence. Since the termination of South Africa's Man-
date over Namibia, States are precluded from establishing or maintaining
any relation with Namibia through the Government of South Africa or
through the illegal South African administration in the Territory.

It should be the duty of every Member of the United Nations

to recognize the authority of the United Nations to administer the
Territory of Namibia;
to recognize the inalienable right of the people of Namibia to self-deter-
mination and independence;
to take joint andseparate action in CO-operationwith the United Nations
(Art. 56)for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55 of
the Charter;
to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council which it has
taken or which it may take from time to time in accordance with the
Charter (Art.25), such as the steps mentioned in resolution 283 (1970).

Al1States have the obligation not to recognize the presence of South
Africa in Namibia in contravention of resolution 276(1970)ofthe Security
Council and resolution 2145 (XXI) of the General Assembly.

Plebiscite

The position of the South African Government in respect to South
West Africa has always been veryclear and consistent, in the sensethat it
considers the Territory as an integral part of South Africa and that in fact
the annexation has taken place and that it does not intend ever to give
up the Territory.
On 4 November 1946,during the First Session of the General Assembly
of the United Nations held at Lake Success, Field Marshal Smuts, at the
fourteenth meeting of the Fourth Committee, presented a statement con-
cerning the mandatedterritory of South West Africa (UN doc. A/C.4/41).
He recalled the fact that during the First World War, President Wilson
and other Allied spokesmen had emphasized the right of self-determina-
tion of al1peoples and had made anyform of annexationunacceptableto
the Peace Conference. South West Africa, he continued, was so essen-

tially a part of the South African territory and people, that a particulai.
form of mandate had to be devisedto meet the needs ofthe South African
situation. Owing to the physical contiguity of South West Africa to the
Union and its ethnological kinship with the rest of South Africa, the
argument ran, the Union of South Africa was legitimately concerned in
securing the annexation of that Territory. President Wilson understood,
said Field Marshal Smuts, that the future of that Territory lay in its
incorporation. 121 NAMlBIA (S.W. AFRICA()SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

"By now [1946],South West Africa was so thoroughly integrated
with the Union that its forma1 incorporationwas mainly required to
remove doubts, and thereby to attract capital and encourage indivi-
dual initiative, and to render unnecessary a separate fiscal system.
Incorporation would thus admit the inhabitants to the full benefits
enjoyed by the population of the Union.

........................
The integration of South West Africa with the Union might be a
process lasting over many years, but it would be as inevitable as the

union of Wales and Scotland with England, of Texas and Louisiana
with the American Union, and of Eastern Siberia with the Russian
Union. At present [1946], South West Africa was a geographic,
ethnic, strategic and economic part of the Union of South Africa.
The integration of South West Africa with the Union would be
mainly a formal recognition of a unity that already existed." (GA,
OR, Fourth Committee, 14th Meeting, 4 November 1946; italics
added.)

At that time and subsequently, South Africa has claimed sovereignty
over the mandated territory and has openly declared its breach and dis-
regard of the principle of non-annexation proclaimed by the Versailles
Peace Conference. The avowed annexationwas then and is now improper
and unacceptable.
It isan admission by South Africa that the essential principle contained
in the Covenant and the basic purpose of the mandates system has been
violated, and is not now admitted or recognized as having any value or
being applicable to Namibia. This evidence, and the violation of other
obligations of the Mandatory, are anlong the compelling reasons taken

into account by the General Assembly for the declaration that the Man-
date was terminated and a justification of resolution 2145 (XXI).

At the hearing of 15 March 1971,the representative for South Africa
stated:
"Against the background of the submission which we had made in

the previous proceedings to the effect that the Mandate, as a whole,
had lapsed, together with al1obligations thereunder, the honourable
President asked the question 'Under what title does the Government
of South Africa claim to carry on the administration of Namibia?'
Our answer is as follows:
South Africa conqueredthe Territory by force of arms in 1915,and
administered it under military rule until the end of the war. In the years since 1915, South West Africa has inevitably been

integratedeven more closely with the Republic.
........................
In the light of this history, it is the view of the South African
Government that, if it is accepted that the Mandate has lapsed, the
South African Government would have the right to administer the
Territory by reason of a combination of factors, being (a) its
original conquest; (b) its long occupation; (c) the continuation of
the sacred trust basis agreed upon in 1920; and, finally (d) because
its administration is to the benefit ofthe inhabitants of the Territory
and is desired by them. In these circumstances the South African
Governmentcannot accept that any State or organization can have a
better title to the Territory." (Italics added.)

The question of a plebiscitehas no relevance whatsoeverto the question
posed by the Security Council for the advisory opinion of this Court. The
question of a plebiscite is a political question which has to be dealt with
by the United Nations either in the General Assembly or in the Security
Council. The question raised by South Africa can be briefly dismissedas
being irrelevant and not falling within theambit of the question that this
Court has been requested to answer. The issues of non-annexation,
apartheidand independence are not even mentioned as possibleterms of a
plebiscite. The proposa1 that the Court should supervise a political act,
which would have been the concern of the General Assembly or the

SecurityCouncil,should ofcourse berejected. The Court rightly answered
that it "cannot entertain this proposal". 1 especially concur with the
Court's comment regarding such proposal when it stated that :

"The Court having concluded that no further evidence was
required, that the Mandate was validly terminated and that in
consequence South Africa's presence in Namibia is illegal and its
acts on behalf of or concerning Namibia are illegal and invalid, it
follows that it cannot entertain this proposal."

Against the background of the acts and intentions of South Africa in
respect to the Territory of Namibia, it is obvious that such a request can
have no other purpose than to obtain recognition of a conquest, an
integrationand an annexationwhich have already taken place. The status
of South West Africa was thus defacto unilaterally and illegallychanged.
Twenty-five years ago, a request for annexation-founded on the alleged
results of a plebiscite which Field Marshal Smuts presented to the
General Assembly-was rejected. The feeling and declarations of the
majority of delegations were that the spirit of the Charter would not be
constructively implemented by the only two alternatives proposed by the
Union of South Africa; Le., incorporation or a continuation of the present situation without United Nations supervision. The proposal of
the Union of South Africa-it was said-would be a backward step that
might endanger the progressive tendencies of the Charter and the legiti-
.mate aspirations of half the population of the world in the non-self-
governing territories.

One of the main principles which informs and gives new spirit to an
international instrument like the Covenant, was the principle of non-
annexation, a noble idea to deter the military powers from taking advan-

tage of the war situation, or claiming, by right of conquest, sovereignty
and ownership over peoples and territories, formerly pawns in the colonial
system or the reward of victory or of superior strength.These new ideas
were intended to help in the organization of a new world order, in which
backward people, in al1continents, would have a chance to be free from
the former traditional chains of slavery, forced labour, and from being
the prey of greedy masters. Those noble ideas, principles and concepts,
embodied in the Covenant, were not born to have a precarious or
temporary existence, linked to the mortal fate of a particular forum or to
an international organization which could not be immune to change.
They wereintended to surviveand prevail to guide the political conduct of
governments and the moral behaviour of men. They were meant to
persist and endure nomatter what new social structures ofjuridical forms

might evolveand change through the passage oftime in this ever-changing
world. Nevertheless South Africa has in reality and to al1effectsannexed
as its own the Territory of Namibia. During the present proceedings, the
Government of South Africa, through its representative at the oral
hearings, has bluntly declared that its title to the mandated territory is
based on conquest and long occupation. This behaviour as well as the
refusal to render annual reports and to transmit petitions are sufficient
grounds for the revocation of the Mandate.

So is the racial discrimination practised as an officialpolicy in Namibia
with the enforcement there of the system of apartheid.Racial discrimi-
nation as a matter of officialgovernment policy is a violation of a norm or

rule or standard of the international community. A norm of non-discrimi-
nation of universal application has been drawn up independently of the
Mandate and governs Article 2.

This is a problem, therefore, of the proper recognition and evaluation
of human rights and the impact of their observance on the peace of the
world. The mandatories have the duty, not only to "promote to the
utmost the well-beingand development" of the peoples entrusted to their

111care, but to do it by means and methods most likely to achieve that end,
and which do not by their very nature-as does apartheid-run contrary
to the intended goal. The Charter prescribes the roads which willlead to

it;those of non-discrimination and respect for human rights and funda-
mental freedoms, among other ways and means which will help the
peoples to overcome the hardships and strains of Ourtime.

The dissolution of the League was not the fcneral of the principlesand
obligations contained inthe Covenant andthe Mandate; they are alive and
wiilcontinue to be alive.No time-limit was or could be established for the
"sacred trust of civilization".
The counterpart of annexation was to place the territories under a
régimeadministered internationally. That was the purpose of the trustee-
ship system. South Africa should have been willingto negotiate with the
United Nations an agreement to that effect, as was contemplated by the
Charter. Paragraph 1 of Article 80 is not to be interpreted as giving
grounds for delay or postponement of such negotiations; paragraph 2 of
the same Article has no other purpose or meaning. South Africa dis-
regarded the obligation to negotiate and the repeated request of the
General Assembly to present a draft trusteeship agreement in respect of
South West Africa. As Judge De Visscher said in the caseconcerningthe
International Status of South West Africa :

"1concede that the provisions of Chapter XII of the Charter do
not impose on the Union of South Africa a legal obligation to
conclude a Trusteeship Agreement, in the sensethat the Union isfree
to accept or to refuse the particular terms of a draft agreement. On
the other hand, 1 consider that these provisions impose on the
Union of South Africa an obligation to take part in negotiations with
a view to concluding an agreement." (I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 186.)

Thecharacter of the Mandateand the power of administration givento
the Mandatory by Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Mandate, has its foun-
dation in the reasoning and considerations stated in paragraphs 3 and 6
of Article 22 of the Covenant. Paragraph 6 contains the following
concepts :

"There are territories, such as South West Africa. .. which,
owing to the sparseness of their population. ..or their remoteness
from the centres of civilisation, or their geographical contiguity to
the territory of the Mandatory . ..can be best administered under
the laws of the Mandatory ...subject to the safeguards above
mentioned in the interests of ihe indigenous population." (Italics
added.)Of no place in the world nowadays can one properly talk about "their
remoteness from the centres of civilization". Now al1 countries and
peoples everywhere are near and neighbours to each other. Isolation does
not really exist unless imposed by force. The sparseness of population is
becoming everywhere a thing of the past; the birth rate and the number
of people cannot be measured by the figures of 50 years ago. The earth has
become more than ever a melting-pot, crowded to overflowing and is
subject to the everlasting pressure and impact of dynamic cross-currents
of interchanging of peoples, cultures, ideas and reciprocal influences of
every conceivable kind. Much can be said also of the number, location
and identity of the "centres of civilization" whichthe framers of Article 22
of the Covenant had in mind.
Sothe discretion in the power of administration and legislation claimed
by the Mandatory was founded on reasons and circumstances which half
a century later have become and appear obsolete. They were intended

only to facilitate administration. (Art. 2(1) of the Mandateand Art. 22(6)
of the Covenant.) The exercise of such power was subject to the obli-
gations staeed in the Covenant and in the Mandate. (Art. 2 (2) ainong
others.) Obviously the power of administration and legislation could not
be legitimately exercised by methods like apartheid which run contrary to
the aims, principles and obligations stated in Article 22 of the Covenant,
especially in paragraphs 1, 2 and 6. Nor could be exercised today in
violation of the provisions of the United Nations Charter, particularly-
among others-those regarding respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, or the prohibition of discrimination on account of race or
colour. The arbitrary assertion that apartheid is the only alternative to
chaos, and that the peoples of South West Africa are incapable of
constituting a political unity and being governed as a singleStateoes not
justify the official policy of discrimination based on race, colour or
membership in a tribal group.

Paragraph 3 of Article 22 of the Covenant did not presuppose a static
condition for the peoples of the territories. Their stage of development had
to be transitory, and therefore the character of the Mandate, even of a
given mandate, could not be conceived as a static and frozen one; it had
to differ as the development of the people changed or passed from one
stage to another. Are the people of South West Africa in the same stage of
development as 50 years ago? Are the economic conditions of the Terri-
tory the same? Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Mandate States:

"The Mandatory shall promote to the utmost the material and
moral well-being and the social progress of the inhabitants of the
territory subject to the present Mandate."
Even ifthe geographical situation isto be considered from the aspect of its126 NAMlBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

remoteness from centres of civilization, and remoteness being a relative
term, can it be said that South West Africa is now as remote from centres
of civilization ast was 50 years ago?
The relentless will of self-assertion in search of new horizons has
created new conditions where freedom and social justice could flourish;
sometimes a new order has been established through violent and dramatic
struggles, sometimes by peaceful processes of collective parliamentary
action in national and international forums. This struggle has created
conditions, principles,rules and standards of international behaviour,
which have found expression in the works of thinkers, writers and

philosophers. "Equality before the law", or in the words of the Charter:
"International CO-operation in the promotion and respect of human
rights and fundamental freedoms for al1without distinction as to ra. ."

This fundamental resolve will inspire the vision and the conduct of
peoples the world over, until the goal of self-determination and in-
dependence is reached, and such ideas and hopes are kept in the human
mind, "until [in the words of Lincoln] in due time the weights should be
lifted from the shoulders ofl1men, and al1should have an equal chance".

(Signed) Luis PADILLA NERVO.

Bilingual Content

SEPARATE OPINION OF JUDGE PADILLA NERVO

1agree with the Ad-~isoryOpinion given by the Court in answer to the
question put to it by the Security Council.
1accept each and every one of the provisions of the operative clause of
the Opinion.
From the reasoning and conclusions of the Court it has been recog-
nized that the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United
Nations, in the exercise of their competence, their functions and their
duty, have revoked the Mandate of South Africa in respect of Namibia,
have declared that the defacto presence of the former Mandatory in that

territoryis illegal, has the character of a foreign occupation and is an
"aggressive encroachment" on the authority of the United Nations and
on the territory over which South Africa has no legal title.

South Africa therefore has the juridical obligation to withdraw its
administration there, and to CO-operatewith the United Nations for the
peaceful enforcement of its decisions. Other legal consequences of the
continuance of South Africa's unlawfuland defacto presence there are
expressed in the Advisory Opinion rendered by this Court, and some of
the consequences are stated in relevant resolutions of the Security
Council.
For the purpose of this Advisory Opinion the Court was not obliged,
and did not need, to pass upon the objections regarding the validity of
the resolutions concerned; nevertheless the Court considered it appro-
priate to answer such objections, and did recognize the validity and
binding character of the decisions taken in this matter by the General
Assembly and the Security Council.

Availing myself of the right conferred by Article 57 of the Statute,
1wish to append to the Opinion of the Court a separate statement of my
individual views.

Some of the points raised in the written statements are either of a
preliminary nature-as is the question whether or not the Court should
accede to the request for an advisory opinion,-or are related to the
validity of the resolutions of the Security Council and the General OPINION INDIVIDUELLE DE M. PADILLA NERVO

Je souscrisà I'avisconsultatif émispar la Cour en réponsà la question
qui lui avait étéposéepar le Conseil de sécurité.

J'accepte intégralementlestermes du dispositif de l'avis.

De l'exposé des motifset des conclusions de la Cour il ressort qu'elle
a reconnu que l'Assembléegénéraleet le Conseil de sécuritédes Nations
Unies, dans l'exercice de leurs pouvoirs et I'accomplissement de leurs
fonctions et obligations, ont révoquéle mandat de l'Afrique du Sud sur
la Namibie, ont déclaréque la présence defacto de l'ancienne puissance
mandataire est illégale, qu'ellea le caractère d'une occupation étrangère
et constitue une (atteinte agressive»à l'autorité del'organisation des
Nations Unies, et à l'intégritéd'un territoire sur lequel l'Afrique du Sud
ne possèdeaucun titre juridique.

L'Afrique du Sud a donc l'obligationju;idique de retirer son adminis-
tration du territoire et de coopéreravec l'organisation des Nations Unies
pour faire appliquer pacifiquement les décisions de celle-ci. La Cour
expose dans son avis consultatif certaines autres conséquencesjuridiques
du maintien de la présence illégale et defacto de l'Afrique du Sud en
Namibie, et certaines conséquences sont également indiquéesdans les
résolutions pertinentes du Conseil de sécurité.
Aux fins de cet avis consultatif, la Cour.n'était nullement tenue et
n'avait nul besoin de se prononcer sur les objections formulées quantà
la validité desrésolutions en cause; la Cour a néanmoins jugé bon de

répondre àces objections et elle a reconnà la fois la validitéet la force
obligatoire des décisions prises enla matière par l'Assemblée générale
et par le Conseil de sécurité.
Usant du droit qui m'est conférépar l'article 57 du Statut, je joinà
l'avisconsultatif de la Cour l'exposéde mon opinion individuelle.

Certains des problèmes soulevésdans les exposés écritsou bien ont un
caractère préliminaire, comme c'est le cas pour le point de savoir si la
Cour doit ou non répondre à la demande d'avis consultatif, ou bien sont
liésà la validité desrésolutionsdu Conseil de sécuritéet de l'Assemblée 102 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Assembly, as for instance those which terminated the Mandate for South
West Africa and those which declared illegal the presence of South
Africa in Namibia. In my view these points go beyond the scope of the
question put to the Court by the Security Council, which is couched in
the following terms :

"What are the legal consequences for States of the continued
presence of South Africa in Namibia, notwithstanding Security
Council resolution 276 (1970)?"

Nevertheless, as these questions have been raised, 1 will express my
opinion on them.
It has been suggested that the Court should use its discretion whether
or not to accede to a request for an advisory opinion and should in this
case refuse to. give it. The Court "must have full liberty to consider al1
relevant data available to it in forming an opinion on a question posed to
it for an advisory opinion" (Certain Expenses of the United Narions,
I.C.J. Reports 1962, p. 151,at p. 157). In the Certain Expenses case, the

Court referred to the decision taken by the Permanent Court concerning
the Status of Eastern Carelia and found no "compelling reason" why it
should not give the advisory opinion which the General Assembly
requested. The Eastern Carelia case, where the Permanent Court of Inter-
national Justice declined to give an advisory opinion, is not a precedent
in the present case before this Court.

As to the argument that the request of the Security Council should be
refused because it has a political background in which the Court itself has
become involved, the Court unanimously decided, at the beginning of the
oral hearings, to disregard this argument. TheCourt decided not to accede

to the objections raised against the participation of threeMembersof the
Court, which werebased on the contention that thejudges in question had
taken politicai positions in the General Assembly in issues related to
South West Africa, while representing their Governments in the United
Nations. The Court has thereby expressed its opinion in the sense that
the controverted political background of the question is not a reason to
decline to give the advisory opinion requested.
There is no merit either in the other contention which has been ad-
vanced against the Court giving the advisory opinion which the Security
Council requested "considering that an advisory opinion from the

International Court of Justicewould be useful forthe Security Council in
its further consideration of the question of Namibia and in furtherance of
the objectives the Council is seeking". The Eastern Carelia case was
relied upon in support of the contention that the question before the
Court involved a dispute. This matter does not need to be considered
again since the Court by its Order of 29 January decided to reject the
application forthe appointment of a judge ad hoc, because it held that in générale, telles,par exemple, les résolutions qui ont mis fin au mandat
pour le Sud-Ouest africain et celles qui ont déclaréillégalela présencede
l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie. A mon avis, ces problèmesvont au-delà de
ce que le Conseil de sécuritéa demandé à la Cour dans la question sui-

vante :
1Quelles sont les conséquencesjuridiques pour les Etats de la
présencecontinue de l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie, nonobstant la

résolution276(1970)du Conseil de sécurité? ))
Néanmoins, commeces problèmesont étésoulevés,je vais exprimer mon
opinion à leur sujet.
On a émis l'idéeque la Cour devrait exercer son pouvoir discrétionnaire

de donner suite ou non à une demande d'avisconsultatif et qu'elledevrait
en l'espècerefuser de rendre un avis. La Cour «doit avoir la pleine liberté
d'examiner tous les élémentspertinents dont elle dispose pour se faire
une opinion sur une question qui lui est posée envued'un avisconsultatif ))
(Certaines dépenses desNations Unies, C.I.J. Recueil 1962, p. 157).Dans
l'affaire relative Certaines dépenses desNations Unies, la Cour a rappel6
la décision prise par la Cour permanente dans l'instance relative au
Statu/ de la Carélie orientaleet n'a vb aucune 1raison décisive» de ne pas

donner I'avis consultatif que l'Assembléegénéralelui avait demandé.
L'affairedu Statut de la Carélieoriegtale en laquelle la Cour permanente
de Justice internationale a refusé dedonner un avisconsultatif neconstitue
pas un précédentpour l'instance dont la Cour est saisie aujourd'hui.
Quant à l'argument suivant lequel il ne faudrait pas donner suite à la
demande formulée par le Conseil de sécuritéparce que celle-cia un aspect
politique auquel la Cour se serait trouvée mêléel,a Cour a décidé à
l'unanimité audébutde la ~rocédureorale de le reieter. La Cour a décidé

de ne pas faire droit aux objections soulevéescontre la participation à
I'affairede trois membres de la Cour, objections tenant à ce que cesjuges
auraient adopté une position politique à l'Assembléegénéralesur des
questions liéesau Sud-Ouest africain, alors qu'ils représentaient leur
gouvernement auprèsde l'organisation des Nations Unies. La Cour a par
là expriméI'avis que l'aspect politique controversé de la question n'était
Dasun motif ~our refuser de rendre I'avisconsultatif sollicité.
II n'y a pas lieu de retenir davantage l'autre argument par lequel on a

soutenu que la Cour devrait refuser de donner I'avisconsultatif demandé
par leConseil de sécurité, celui-ciconsidérant qu'unavisconsultatif de la
Cour internationale de Justice [lui] serait utile ..pour continuer à
examiner la question de Namibie et pour la réalisation des objectifs
recherchéspar le Conseil s. A l'appui de cet argument, selon lequel la
question soumise à la Cour implique un différend,on a invoquéI'affaire
du Statut de la Carélie orientale. II n'y a pas lieu ici de revenir sur le
problème puisque la Cour, par son ordonnance du 29 janvier 1971, a

décidé de rejeter lademande tendant à la désignation d'un juge ad hoc,103 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

the present advisory proceedings there is no dispute pending between
South Africa and any other State.
In theCertain Expenses case, the Court referred to the argument that
the question put to the Court was intertwined with political questions, and
that for this reason the Court should refuse to give an opinion. The
Court replied that most interpretations of the Charter would have poli-
tical significance. The Court, however, could not attribute a political
character to a request which invited it to undertake an essentially judicial

task, namely the interpretation of a treaty provision.

The question put to the Court by the Security Council can be said to be
intertwined with certain political problems, but the actual wording of
such question, asking the Court what are the legal consequences for
States of the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia, indicates
that the position isin fact a legalone even if it may have a political aspect.
In the nature of things it could not be otherwise. The !ine between
political and legal questions is often vague. Examining the close inter-
relation between the political and legal factors in the development of
international law, Dr. Rosenne makes the following comments:

"That interrelation explains the keenness with which elections of
members of the Court are conducted ... But that interrelation goes
further. It explains the conflict of ideologies prevalent today regard-

ing the Court." (Rosenne, The Law and Practice of the International
Court, Vol. 1, p. 4.)
"The Charter of the United Nations and the urgency of current

international problems and aspirations have turned the course of the
organized international Societyinto new directions ... The intellec-
tual atmosphere in which the application today of international law
iscalled has changed, and with it the character of the Court, as the
organ forapplyinginternational law,ischangingtoo." (Ibid.pp. 5-6.)

The full impact upon the Court of those changes is found in the activities
of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Whatever conclusions
might be drawn from these activities, it is evident that their far-reaching
significance lies in the fact that the struggle towards ending colonialism
and racism in Africa, and everywhere, is the overwhelming will of the
international community of our days.

A fair examination of the contentions and arguments disputing the
competence and jurisdiction of the Court to give the opinion requested
leads to the conclusion that they are not valid and ought to be rejected.estimant qu'en la présente procédure consultative il n'existe pas de
différendentre l'Afrique du Sud et un autre Etat, quel qu'il soit.
Dans l'affaire relativeà Certairiesdépenses des NationsUnies, la Cour
a fait état de l'argument suivant lequel la question qui lui était posée
touchait à des questions d'ordre politique et que, pour ce motif, la Cour

devait se refuserà donner un avis. La Cour a répondu que la plupart des
interprétations delaCharte desNations Uniesprésentaientune importance
politique. Toutefois elle ne pouvait attribuer un caractère politique à une
requête quil'invitait à s'acquitter d'une tâche essentiellement judiciaire,
à savoir l'interprétation d'unedisposition conventionnelle.
Ici de même,on peut dire que la question posée à la Cour par le
Conseil de sécuritétouche à certains problèmes d'ordre politique, mais
en fait, le libelléde la question par laquelle il est demandé à la Cour
quelles sont les conséquences juridiques pour les Etats de la présence

continue de l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie, montre qu'il s'agit biend'une
question juridique quand bien même elleaurait un aspect politique. Par
la nature des choses, ilne saurait en êtreautrement. La ligne de partage
entre le politique et lejuridique est souvent imprécise.Examinant I'inter-
dépendance étroitequi existe entre les facteurs politiques et les facteurs
juridiques dans l'évolution dudroit international, Rosenne formule les
observations suivantes:

((Cette interdépendance explique le soin avec lequel on procède
à l'élection des membres dela Cour ...Mais cette interdépendance
va plus loin. Elle explique les conflits d'idéologie qui existent
aujourd'hui au sujet de la Cour. ))(Rosenne, The Law and Practice

of theInternationalCourt, vol. 1,p. 4.)
(ILa Charte des Nations Unies et lecaractère urgent des problèmes

internationaux actuels et des aspirations qui se manifestent sur le
plan international ont orienté l'action de la sociétéinternationale
organisée vers de nouvelles voies ...L'atmosphère intellectuelle
dans laquelle doit s'appliquer aujourd'hui le droit international s'est
modifiée, de sorte que le caractère de la Cour, qui est l'organe
chargé d'appliquer le droit international, se modifie également. ))
(Ibid.,p. 5-6.)

C'est en raison des activitésde l'Assembléegénéraleet du Conseil de
sécuritéque ces transformations touchent directement la Cour. Quelles
que soient les conclusions que l'on puisse tirer de ces activités, il est
évident qre leur importance considérable vient de ce que la communauté
hternationale d'aujourd'hui est résoluedans sa quasi-intégralité à lutter

pour mettre fin au colonialisme et au racisme en Afrique et partout
ailleurs.
Un examen impartial des thèses et des argumentations niant que la
Cour ait compétence pour donner l'avis demandé permet de conclure
qu'elles sont sans validité et doivent êtrerepoussées. 11n'y a pas en 104 NAMIBIA (S.W.AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

There are not, in this instance, compelling reasons to make the Court
depart from its unavoidable duty to give the advice requested by the
Security Council.
The proposal ' which became the first operative paragraph of Security
Council resolution 284 (1970) made it clear from the outset that the

termination of the Mandate and the assumption by the General Assembly
of direct responsibility for the Territory was not being called into ques-
tion2. For this had been an "irrevocable step" and "consequently, the
presence of South Africa in Namibia was now illegal and member
States had pledged themselves to fulfil the responsibility which the
United Nations had assumed" 3.The question to be presented to the
Court therefore related to the legal consequences for States of the pres-
ence of South Africa in Namibia after these irrevocable changes had been

brought about.
In general, therefore, from the record of the discussions of the Security
Council and its Sub-Committee immediately preceding the adoption of
Security Council resolution 284 (1970),it would appear that the question
presented to the Court concerns the legal consequences for States of the
continued presence of South Africa in Namibia, not as a mandatory
Power, but as a State which according to the provisions of Security
Council resolution 276 (1970) was continuing to occupy Namibia

illegall4,and in defiance of the relevant United Nations resolutions and
the United Nations Charter 5, notwithstanding that the Mandate for
South West Africa has been terminated 6,the United Nations has assumed
direct responsibility for the Territory until its independence ',and the
Security Council has called upon the Government of South Africa
immediately to withdraw its administration from the Territory

TheIssue tsBe Examined

It has been shown that in formulating the question now before the
Court, the Security Council used the phrase "the continued presence of
South Africa in Namibia, notwithstanding Security Council resolution
276 (1970)", in order to denote the presence of South Africa after the
Mandate had terminated and South Africa had ceased to have any right
to be present as mandatory Power. iltfollows that the legal consequences
for States of this continued presence are not those which resulted directly

from the conduct of South Africa in its former capacity as mandatory

Thatof Finland.
SIAC.17lSR.12. ~.3:andSIAC.17/SR.17. ,.8.
s/Ac.~~'/sR.~~;P.3.'
Security Council resolution 2.6 (.. .).vara.2.
Ibid., para.4.
Ibid., second andthirdpreambularparagraphs.
Ibid., second preambularparagraph.
Ibid.,thirdpreambularparagraph. NAMIBIE (S.-O. AFRICAIN) (OP. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 104

l'espècede raison décisivepour que la Cour se dérobe à son inéluctable
obligation de rendre l'avis sollicitépar le Conseil de sécurité.

La proposition ' qui est devenue le paragraphe 1 du dispositif de la
résolution 284 (1970) du Conseil de sécuritéindique clairement et dès
l'abord que l'on ne met pas en cause la cessation du mandat et la respon-
sabilité directe assumée par l'Assembléegénéraleà l'égarddu territoire 2.
En effet, il s'agit là d'une1mesure irrévocable ))de sorte que (la présence

de l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie est désormaisillégaleet les Etats Membres
se sont engagésà s'acquitter des responsabilités que l'organisation des
Nations Unies a assumées 1'.Par suite, la question dont la Cour est saisie
concerne les conséquences juridiques pour les Etats de la présence de

l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie après l'accomplissement de ces transfor-
mations irrévocables.
D'une façon générale,donc, d'après les comptes rendus des discussions
qui se sont dérouléesau Conseil de sécuritéet à son sous-comitéjuste
avant l'adoption de la résolution 284 (1970), il apparaît bien que la

question soumise à la Cour concerne les conséquences juridiques pour
les Etats de la rés en cecontinue de I'Afriaue du Sud en Namibie. non
pas en qualité de puissance mandataire, mais en tant qu'Etat q~ii,selon
les termes de la résolution 276 (1970) du Conseil de sécurité,continue à
occuper illégalementla Namibie , au méprisdes résolutions pertinentes

des Nations Unies et de la Charte des Nations Unies ', nonobstant le
fait qu'il a étéfin au mandat sur le Sud-Ouest africain ",que les Nations
Unies assument la responsabilité directe du territoire jusqu'à son indé-
pendance et que le Conseil de sécurité ademandé au Gouvernement

sud-africain de retirer immédiatement son administration du territoire '.

Questions à examiner

Nous avons montré qu'en rédigeant la question qui est maintenant

soumise à la Cour, le Conseil de sécuritéa utiliséles termes 1la présence
continue de l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie, nonobstant la résolution 276
(1970) du Conseil (le sécurité»afin d'indiquer que l'Afrique du Sud
demeure présente après la cessation du mandat et qu'elle est déchue

de tout droit à rester sur place en tant que puissance mandataire. II
s'ensuit que les conséquences juridiques pour les Etats du maintien de
cette présence nesont pas celles qui résultent directement du comporte-

' Présentéepar la Finlande.
S/AC.17/SR.12,p.3;etS/AC.17/SR.17,p.8.
SIAC. 171SR.12, p. 3.
Résolution 276 (1970) du Conseil de sécurité,par. 2.
Ibid.. Dar. 4.
' 1bid.l deuxiémeet troisième alinéasdu préambule.
Ibid.. deuxième alinéadu ~réarnbule.
"bid.; troisième alinéadi, préambule. 105 NAMIBIA (S.W. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Power, but onlytheconsequences of thecontinued South African presence
after the cessation of the mandatory relationship.

Scope of the Question Submitteci

The question before the Court is a lirnited one, narnely what are the
legal consequences for States of the continued presence of South Africa
in Namibia, notwithstanding Security Council resolution 276 (1970)?
In this resolution the Security Council reaffirrned General Assembly
resolution 2145 (XXI) of 27 October 1966,by which the United Nations
decided that the Mandate for South West Africa was terrninated and
assurned direct responsibility for the Territory until its independence, and
also reaffirrned its resolution64 (1969), which recognized this termina-

tion and which called upon the Governrnent of South Africa imrnediately
to withdraw frorn theTerritory.

No other request having been made, the Court will have to assume the
validity of the action taken by the Security Council and the General
Assernbly on the question of Narnibia and that such action was in
accordance with the Charter. The Court should not assume powers of
judicial review of the action of principal organs of the United Nations
without specificrequest to that effect.

The Corenunt

The Covenant is in the nature of a constitutional legal instrument,
which is the source of rights and obligations relating to the system of
mandates and to the securities and safeguards for the performance of
the sacred trust. The principle proclairned in Article,and itsprovisions,

were binding on the Mernbers of the League who were willing to accept
the tutelage and exercise it as rnandatories on behalf of the League in the
interest of the indigenous population.
The Council of the League defined the degree of authority,control,or
administration to be exercised by the Mandatory for South West Africa,
in the terms that the Principalllied and Associated Powers had proposed
that the Mandate should be forrnulated. The purpose of the Mandate for
South West Africa-in the terrns defined by the Council-is to give
practical effect to the principle of the sacred trust of civilization. The
Mandate is the method chosen by the Allied and Associated Powers to
accornplish that end. The legal obligations stated in the Covenant were
translated and spelled out in the specificcase of each mandate "according
to the stage of development of the people, the geographical situation ofment de l'Afrique du Sud en son ancienne qualité de puissance manda-
taire, mais uniquement celles qui découlent du maintien de l'Afrique du
Sud après la fin du régimedu mandat.

Portéede la question soumise à la Cour

La question soun~iseà la Cour est de portée limitée, 1quelles sont les

conséquences juridiques pour les Etats de la présence continue de
l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie, nonobstant la résolution 276 (1970) du
Conseil de sécurité?))Daiis cette résolution, le Conseil de sécuritéa
réaffirméla résolution 2145 (XXI) de l'Assembléegénérale,en date du
27 octobre 1966, par laquelle les Nations Unies avaient décidéque le

mandat sur le Sud-Ouest africain était terminé et avaient assumé la res-
ponsabilité directe du territoirejusqu'à son indépendance, et il a réaffirmé
aussi sa propre résolution 264 (1969) par laquelle il avait reconnu la
cessation du mandat et demandé au Gouvernement sud-africain de se
retirer immédiatement du territoire.
Aucune autre question ne lui ayant étésoumise, laCour devrasupposer

que les mesures adoptées par le Conseil de sécurité et l'Assemblée
généraleen ce qui concerne la Namibie sont valables et qu'elles ont été
prises conformément à la Charte. La Cour ne doit pas s'arroger des
pouvoirs de contrôle judiciaire quant aux mesures prises par les organes
principaux des Nations Unies sans y avoir étéexpressément invitée.

Le Pacte de la Sociérédes Nations

Le Pacte a le caractère d'un instrument constitutionnel d'où découlent
les droits et obligations ayant trait au systèmedes mandats ainsi qu'aux

garanties et sauvegardes pour I'accomplissement de la mission sacréede
civilisation. Le principe formulé à l'article 22 et les dispositions de ce
texte étaient obligatoires pour les Membres de la SdN qui avaient
consenti à exercer la tutelle en qualité de mandataires et au nom de la
Société,dans l'intérêt de la population indigène.
Le Conseil de la SdN a défini le degré d'autorité, de contrôle ou

d'administration que devait exercer le mandataire pour le Sud-Ouest
africain, dans les termes proposés pour la rédaction du mandat par les
Principales Puissances alliéeset associées. Le mandat pour le Sud-Ouest
africain a pour objet de réaliserpratiquement - selon les termes définis
par le Conseil - le principe de la mission sacrée de civilisation. Le

mandat est la méthode choisie par les Puissances alliéeset associéespour
atteindre cet objectif. Les obligations juridiques énoncées dans le Pacte
ont été traduites et préciséesdans le cas particulier de chaque mandat
(suivant le degréde développement du peuple, la situation géographique 106 NAMIBIA (s.w. ASRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

the territory, its economic conditions and other similar circumstances".
AI1 mandates-regardless of their differences in character-have a
cornmon denominalor; al1 were established for the same reason, and
with the object and purpose of giving practical effect to the principle that
the well-being and development of the peoples inhabiting the territories

concerned form a sacred trust of civilization.
The sacred trust is not only a moral idea, it has also a legal character
and significance; it is in fact a legal principle. This concept was incorpo-
rated into the Covenant after long and difficult negotiations between the
partics over the settlement of the colonial issue. It has been observed in

that respect that:
"It was clearly understood by al1concerned that what was involved

was the adoption, with respect to the treatrnent ofindigenous peoples
in certain areas of Africa and Asia, of a principle entirely different
from that in effect until then. The new principle was that, as a
rnatter of international law, the well-being and social progress of
SLIC~ peoples woüld be the responsibility of the 'organized inter-

national community', insured by legal, rather than by solely moral,
considerations."

Sir Arnold McNair, in his separate opinion annexed to the Opinion of
the Court on the International Stutus ofSouth WestAfrica. observed :

"From time to time it happens that a group of great Powers, or a
large number of States both great and small, assume a power to
create by a multipartite treaty some new international régime or
status. which soon acquires a degree of acceptance and durability
extending beyond the limits of the actual contracting parties, and

giving it an objective existence" (I.C.J. Reports 1950.p. 153).

Concept of'Mandates-Rights and Obligations of' Mandator-r.

The Court has given the following account of this question:
"Under Article 119 of the Treaty of Versailles of 28 June 1919,

Germany renounced in favour of the Principal Allied and Associated
Powers al1 her rights and titles over her overseas possessions. The
said Powers, shortiy before the signature of the Treaty of Peace,
agreed to allocate them as Mandates to certain Allied States which
had already occupied them. The terms of al1the 'C' Mandates were

drafted by a Committee of the Supreme Council of the Peace
Conference and approved by the representatives of the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers in the autumn of 1919. with one
reservation which was subsequently withdrawn. AI1 these actions
were taken before the Covenant took effect and before the League of

Nations was established and started functioning in January 1920. NAMIBIE (S.-O. AFRICAIN) (OP. IN[). PAIIILLA NERVO) 106

du territoire, ses conditions économiques et toutes autres circonstances
analogues 1)Tous les mandats - si différentsde nature soient-ils -- ont
un dénominateur commun; ilsonttousétéétablispourla mêmeraison, afin

de réaliserpratiquement le principe selon lequel le bien-êtreet le dévelop-
pement des peuples habitant les territoires en question constituent une
mission sacréede civilisation.

La mission sacrée n'est pas seulement une notion morale, elle a
également un caractère et une signification juridiques; il s'agit en réalité
d'un principle de droit. Cette conception a étéintroduite dans le Pacte
après de longues et laborieuses négociations entre les parties au sujet du

règlement de la question coloniale. On a fait observer à ce sujet:

liII était évident pour tous les intéressés qu'il s'agissait,en ce qui
concerne le traitement des populations indigènes de certaines
régionsd'Afrique et d'Asie, de l'adoption d'un principe totalement

différent de celui qui était appliqué jusque-là. D'après ce nouveau
principe, en droit international. c'étaitla (communauté internatio-
nale organisée )qui devait êtreresponsable du bien-être etdu progrès
social de ces populations, garantis par des considérations d'ordre

juridique et non par des considérations d'ordre purement moral. 11

Dans l'opinion individuelle qu'il a jointe à l'avis de la Cour sur le Stut~rt
international du Sud-Ouest qfricain, sir Arnold McNair a dit:

11IIarrive de temps à autre qu'un groupe de grandes Puissances OLI
qu'un nombre important d'Etats grands et petits créent, par un
traité multilatéral, quelque régime oustatut international nouveau,

qui est bientôt accepté et revêtun caractère durable, dépassant les
limites des parties contractantes effectives, et conférant à ce régime
une existence objective. )l(C.I.J. Recueil 1950,p. 153.)

La notion de mandat - Droits et obligations du niatldataire

Voici quelle a été l'opinionémisepar la Cour sur cette question:

((Auxtermes de l'article 119du traitéde Versailles du 28 juin 1919,
l'Allemagne a renoncé,en faveur des Principales Puissances alliéeset
associées,à tous ses droits et titres sur ses possessions d'outre-mer.

Lesdites Puissances, peu de temps avant la signature du traité de paix,
sont convenues de conférer des Mandats sur ces territoires àcertains
Etats alliésqui les occupaient déja. Les termes de tous les Mandats
lrC 1)ont été préparép sar une coinmission du Conseil suprêmede la

conférence de la paix et approuvés en l'automne de 1919 par les
représentants des Principales Puissances alliées et associéesavec une
réservequi a été retiréepar la s~iite.Tout cela s'est produit avant

que le Pacte n'entre en vigueur et avant que la Société desNations
ne s'établisse et corrmence à fonctionner, en janvier 1920. Les The terms ofeach Mandate were subsequently defined and confirmed
by the Council in conformity with Article 22 of the Covenant.

The essential principles of the Mandates System consist chiefly in
the recognition of certain rights of the peoples of the underdeveloped
territories; the establishment of a régime oftutelage for each of such
peoples to be exercised by an advanced nation as a 'Mandatory'
'on behalf of the League of Nations'; and the recognition of 'a sacred
trust of civilisation' laid upon the League as an organized inter-

national community and upon its Member States. This system is
dedicated to the avowed object of promoting the well-being and
development of the peoples concerned and is fortified by setting up
safeguards for the protection of their rights.
These features are inherent in the Mandates System as conceived
by its authors and as entrusted to the respective organs of the

League and the Member States for application. The rights of the
Mandatory in relation to the mandated territory and the inhabitants
have their foundation in the obligations of the Mandatory and they
are, so to speak, mere tools given to enable it to fulfil its obligations.
The fact is that each Mandate under the Mandates System constitutes
a new international institution, the primary, overriding purpose of

which is to promote 'the well-being and development' of the people
of the territory under Mandate." (South West Africa, Preliminary
Objections, Judgment, I.C.J. Reports 1962,p. 329.)

Sir Arnold McNair, in his separate opinion mentioned above, stated:

"The Mandates System seems to nie to be an a fortiori case. The
occasion was the end of a world war. The parties to the treaties of
peace incorporating the Covenant of the League and establishing the
system numbered thirty. The public interest extended far beyond
Europe. Article 22 proclaimed 'the principle that the well-being and
development of such peoples forrn a sacred trust of civilization and

that securities for the performance of this trust should be embodied
in the Covenant'. A large part of the civilized world concurred in
opening a new chapter in the life of between fifteen and twenty
millions of people, and this article was the instrument adopted to
give effect to their desire. In my opinion, the new régimeestablished
in pursuance of this 'principle' has more than a purely contractual

basis, and the territories subjected to it are impressed with a special
legal status, designed to last until modified in the manner indicated
by Article 22. The dissolution of the League has produced certain
difficulties, but, ...they are mechanical difficulties, and the policy
and principles of the new institution have survived the impact of the
events of 1939 to 1946, and have indeed been reincarnated by the

Charter under the name of the 'International Trusteeship System', termes de chacun des Mandatsont étédéfiniset confirmés ultérieure-
ment oar le Conseil selon l'article 22 du Pacte.

Les principes essentiels du système des Mandats consistent avant
tout dans la reconnaissance de certains droits des peuples des
territoires sous-développés; dans l'établissement d'un régimede

tutelle exercésur chacun de ces peuples par une nation développée,
en qualité de 1Mandataire »et 1au nom de la Sociétédes Nations )I;
et dans la reconnaissance d'une 11mission sacrée de civilisation 11
incombant à la Sociétéen tant que communauté internationale

organiséeet à ses Etats Membres. Ce système a pour objet reconnu
le bien-êtreet le développement de ces peuples et il s'assortit de
garanties visant la protection de leurs droits.

Ces caractères sont inhérents au système des Mandats tel que ses
auteurs l'ont conçu et tel qu'il a étéconfié pour application aux
divers organes de la Sociétéet à ses Etats Membres. Les droits du
Mandataire concernant le territoire sous Mandat et ses habitants se

fondent sur les obligations du Mandataire et ils ne sont, pour ainsi
dire, que de simples instruments lui permettant de remplir ses
obligations. Le fait est que, dans le système des Mandats, chaque

Mandat constitue une institution internationale nouvelle dont
l'objectif principal est de promouvoir 11le bien-êtreet le développe-
ment » des peuples du territoire sous Mandat. ))(Sud-Ouest africain,
exceptions préliminaires,arrêt,C.I.J. Recueil 1962, p. 329.)

Dans l'opinion individuelle mentionnée plus haut, sir Arnold McNair

déclarait :
(Le régimedes Mandats me paraît êtreun cas a fortiori. C'est la

fin d'une guerre universelle qui a fourni l'occasion de ce régime.Les
parties aux traités de paix, dans lesquels a étéinséréle Pacte de la
Sociétédes Nations et par lesquels a été instauréle régime,étaient

au nombre de trente. L'intérêt public dépassaitde beaucoup les
limites de l'Europe. L'article 22 a proclamé que 1le bien-êtreet le
développement de ces peuples forment une mission sacréede civilisa-
tion et qu'il convient d'incorporer dans le présent acte des garanties

pour l'accomplissement de cette mission 1)La plus grande partie du
monde civilisé a concouru à ouvrir un nouveau cha~itre dans
l'existence d'entre quinze et vingt millions d'êtres humains, et cet

article a étél'instrument adopté pour donner suite à leurs désirs.
Selon moi, le nouveau régimeinstituéen application de ce 1principe ))
contient quelque chose de plus qu'une base purement contractuelle,
et les territoires auxquels il s'applique ont été empreintsd'un statut

juridique spécial, destiné à durer autant qu'il ne serait pas modifié
de la manière indiquéeà l'article 22. La dissolution de la Société des
Nations a provoquécertaines difficultésmais, commeje l'expliquerai,

ce sont des difficultésd'ordre mécanique, et la ligne de conduite et108 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)
with a new lease of life." (I.C..J.Reports 1950, pp. 154-155, italics

added.)

A riew order based on the proposition that "al1 men are by nature
equally free and independent" has attained solernn recognition in the
basic law of rnany nations and is today-in one forrn or another-

customary declaration, norrn and standard in the constitutional practice
of States. It cannot be ignored that the status of the Territory of South
West Africa is the most explosive international issue of the post-war
world; and the question whether the official poliqv of apartheid, as
practised in the Territory, is or is not compatible with the principles and

legal provisions stated in the Covenant, in the Mandateand in the Charter
of the United Nations, begs an answer by the Court.

It has been contended that there is no express power of revocation of a
mandate provided for under the League Covenant, nor yet an implied
power. In answer to this contention, sorne relevant quotations have been
relied upon during the present proceedings. Wright, in his Mandates

Under the League of Nations, 1930(pp. 440-441). wrote the following:

"Whether the Leag~iecan appoint a new niandatory in case one
of the present rnandatories shoiild cease to function has not been
deterrnined. Nor has it been decided whether the League can disrniss
a mandatory though both powers rnay be irnpliedfrorn the Covenant
assertion that the niandatories act 'on behalf of the League'. and
mernbers of the Permanent Mandates Cornniission have assurned

that they exist. Furtherrnore, it would seern that the mandate of a
given nation would autornatically corne to an end in case the rnanda-
tory ceased to rneet the qualifications stated in the Covenant and
that the League would be the competent authority to recognize such
a fact....Since the areas subject to mandate are defined in Article 22

of the Covenant it would seern that the League, whose competence is
defined by the Covenant, could not withdraw a territory frorn the
status of rnandated territory unless through recognition that the
conditions there defined no longer exist in the territory."

Smuts, in The Leaglreof Nations: A Practical Suggestion, 1918,said NAMIBIE (S.-O. AFRICAIN) (OP. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 108

les principes de la nouvelle institution ont survécu au choc des

événementsqui se sont déroulésde 1939 à 1946: ils ont mêmeété
réincarnésdans la Charte, sous le nom de (1régimeinternational de
tutelle >Iavec un regain de vie. )(C.I.J. Recueil 1950,p. 154-155 ; les

italiques sont de nous.)

Un ordre nouveau fondé sur la proposition que 11tous les hommes sont
par nature également libres et indépendants 11 a étésolennellement
reconnu dans la loi fondamentale de nombreuses nations, et ilest con-
sacré aujourd'hui couramment, sous une forme ou une autre, par une

déclaration, une norme et un ((standard 11dans la pratique constitution-
nelle des Etats. II est impossible de se dissimuler que le problème du
statut du territoire du Sud-Ouest africain est le problème international le
plus explosif du monde d'après-guerre; et la question de savoir si la

politique oficielle d'apartheid pratiquée dans le territoire est ou non
compatible avec les principes et les dispositionsjuridiques énoncées dans
le Pacte, dans le mandat et dans la Charte des Nations Unies. exige une

réponsede la Cour.

On a soutenu que le Pacte de la Sociétédes Nations ne prévoyait
aucun pouvoir de révocation d'un mandat, ni expressément ni implicite-
ment. POLI^répondre à cette assertion. on a invoqué au cours de la
présente instance quelques citations. Dans son ouvrage intituléMandates

Under theLeague of Nations, 1930(p. 440-441). Wright écrivaitce q~iisuit:

On n'a pas précisési la Société pouvait désignerun nouveau
mandataireau cas où l'un des mandataires actuels cesserait d'exercer
ses fonctions. On n'a pas décidé nonplus si la Société pouvait

révoquer un mandataire bien que l'on puisse déduire l'existence des
deux pouvoirs du fait que le Pacte stipule que les mandataires
agissent 11au nom de la Société 11et les membres de la Commission
permanente des mandats ont estiméque ces pouvoirs existaient. En

outre, il semblerait que le mandat d'une nation donnée prendrait
automatiquement fin si le mandataire cessait d'avoir les qualifica-
tions qu'énonce le Pacte, et que la Société serait l'autorité compétente
pour reconnaître ce fait ... Etant donné que les zones soumises à

mandat sont définiesdans l'article 27 du Pacte. il semblerait que la
Société.dont la compétenceest préciséepar le Pacte, ne pourrait pas
retirer à un territoire le statut de territoire sous mandat si cén'est

en reconnaissant que les conditions prévuesn'existent plus dans le
territoire.jl

Dans La Sociétédes Nations - Une proposition pratique, Smuts écrivait
ceci : 109 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

". .. in case of any flagrant and prolonged abuse of this trust the
population concerned should be able to appeal for redress to the
League, who should in a proper case assert its authority to the full,
even to the extent of removing the mandate, and entrusting it to
some other State, if necessary".

The view existed then that the League could revoke a mandate in the
event of a fundamental breach of its obligation by a mandatory. Annexa-

tion, overt or disguised, was certainly the most grave and fundamental
breach of the essential principles of the mandates system which-as an
international institution-was created by Article 22 of the Covenant.

Conseque17ces of Dissolution of the League

An international régime,the mandates system, was created by Article
22 with a view to giving practical effect to the two principles (a) of

non-annexation, and (b) that the well-being and development of the
peoples inhabiting the mandated territories, not yet able to stand by
themselves, form "a sacred trust of civilization". The creation of this new
international institution did not involve any cession of territory or
transfer of sovereignty, and the mandatory was to exercisean international
function of administration on behalf of the League of Nations. The

mandate was created in the interests of the inhabitants and of humanity
in general, as an international institution with an internationalabject-a
sacred trust of civilization.

The international rules regulating the mandate constituted an inter-
national status for the territory. The functions were of an international

character and their exercise, therefore, was subjected to the supervision
of the Council of the League of Nations and to the obligation to submit
annual reports.
Obligations: (a) administration as a "sacred trust"; (b) machinery for
implementation, supervision and control as "securities for the perfor-
mance of this trust". These obligations represent the very essence of the

"sacred trust". Neither the fulfilment of these obligations, nor the rights
of the population, could be brought to an end with the liquidation of the
League, as they did not depend on the existenceof the League.

The provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 80 of the Charter presuppose
that the rights of States and peoples should not lapse automatically on the

dissolution of the League.
The resolution of the League Assembly of 18 April 1946 had to recog-
nize that the functions of the League terminated with its existence, at the
same time the Assembly recognized that Chapters XI, XII and XII1 of the
Charter embodied the principles declared in Article 22 of the Covenant (IEn cas d'abus flagrant et prolongé de cette mission, la population
dont ils'agit devrait avoir le droit de s'adresser à la Sociétépour
qu'il y soit remédiéet celle-ci devrait, si le cas se présente, exercer

pleinement son autorité, allant éventuellement jusqu'à révoquer le
mandat pour le confier à un autre Etat si c'est nécessaire. 11

On estimait alors que la Sociétédes Nations pouvait révoquer un
mandat si un mandataire commettait une violation fondamentale de son
obligation. L'annexion -- ouverte ou déguisée - était certainement la

violation la plus grave et la plus fondamentale des principes essentiels du
régimedes mandats créé,en tant qu'institution internationale, par l'arti-
cle22 du Pacte.

Conséquences dela dissolution de la Société desNations

L'article 22 a crééun régimeinternational, le systèmedes mandats, en
vue de donner pratiquement effet aux deux principes suivants: a) celui
de lanon-annexion; b) celui d'aprèslequel le bien-être etle développement
des peuples habitant les territoires sous mandat et non encore capables de
se diriger eux-mêmesforment une ((mission sacrée de civilisation 11La

création de cette nouvelle institution internationale n'impliquait ni
cession de territoire ni transfert de souveraineté, et le mandataire devait
exercer une fonction d'administration internationale au nom de la
Sociétédes Nations. Le mandat a étéétablidans l'intérêd tes habitants du

territoire et de l'humanité en général,comme une institution internatio-
nale à laquelle étaitassignéun but international - une mission sacréede
civilisation.
Les règles internationales régissant le mandat constituaient pour le

territoire un statut international. Les fonctions en cause avaient un
caractère international de sorte que l'exercice de ces fonctions était
soumis à la surveillance du Conseil de la Sociétédes Nations et à I'obliga-
tion de présenter des rapports annuels.

Les obligations étaient les suivantes: a) administration au titre d'une
Imission sacrée »; 6) mécanismede mise en Œuvre, de surveillance et de
contrôle au titre des ((garanties pour l'accomplissement de cette mission II.
Ces obligations représentaient l'essence mêmede la (1mission sacrée IILa
liquidation de la Société nepouvait mettre un terme auxdites obligations

ni aux droits de la population, puisque leur exécutionne dépendaitpas de
l'existence de la Société des Nations.
Les dispositions du paragraphe 2 de l'article 80 de la Charte présuppo-
sent que les droits des Etats et des peuples ne deviennent pas caducs par le

simple effet de la dissolution de la Sociétédes Nations.
Dans sa résolution du 18 avril 1946, l'Assemblée de la Sociétédes
Nations a dû reconnaître que la dissolution de la Sociétémettait fin aux
fonctions de cet organisme mais elle a notéque des principes correspon-

dant à ceux que déclarait l'article 22 du mandat étaient incorporés dans
97110 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

of the League of Nations. In paragraph 4 ofthat resolution, the mandatory
Powers recognized that some time would elapse from the termination of
the League to the implementation of the trusteeship system, and assumed
the obligation to continue nevertheless, in the meantime, to administer
the territories under inandate for the well-being of the peoples concerned,
until other arrangements had been agreed between them and the United

Nations.
The Assembly understood that the mandates were to continue in
existence until "other arrangements" were established, concerning the
future status of the territory concerned. Maintaining the status quo
meant: to administer the territory as a sacred trust and to give account

and to report on the acts of administration.
There are decisive reasons for an affirmative answer to the question
whether the supervisory functions of the League were to be exercised
by the new international organization created by the Charter. The
authors of the Covenant considered that the effective performance of the

sacred trust of civilization required that the administration of the man-
dated territories should be subjected to international supervision. The
necessity for supervision continues to exist. It cannot be admitted that
the obligation to submit to supervision has disappeared, merely becaiise
the supervisory organ under the mandates system has ceased to exist.
when the United Nations has another international organ performing

similar supervisory functions.
Article 80, paragraph 1, of the Charter purports to safeguard the
rights of the peoples of mandated territories iintil trusteeship agreements
are concluded, but no such rights of the peoples could be effectively
safeguarded without international supervision and a duty to render

reports to a supervisory organ.
The resolution of 18 April 1946 of the Assembly of the League pre-
supposes that the supervisory functions exercised by the League would be
taken over by the United Nations, and the General Assembly has the
competence derived from the provisions of Article 10of the Charter, and
is legally qualified to exercisesuch supervisory fiinctions.

On 31 January 1923 the Council of the League adopted certain ruies
by which the mandatory governments were to transmit petitions. This
right which the inhabitants of South West Africa had thus acquired is
maintained by Article 80, paragraph 1, of the Charter. The dispatch and
examination of petitions form a part of the supervision, and petitions are

to be transmitted by the South African Government to the General
Assembly, which is legally qualified to deal with them.
At its final session, on 18 April 1946, the League of Nations adopted
a resolution, already referred to, concerning the mandates system, of
which the last two paragraphs read as follows:

"[The Assembly:] 3. Recognizes that, on the termination of the
League's existence, its functions with respect to the mandated NAMIBIE (S.-O. AFRICAIN) (OP. IND. PADlLLA NERVO) 110

les chapitres XI, XII et XII1 de la Charte des Nations Unies. Auparagra-
phe 4 de cette résolution, les puissances mandataires reconnaissaient
qu'il s'écouleraitun certain temps entre la dissolution de la Société et
l'application du régime de tutelle, et elles assumaient l'obligation de

continuer néanmoins à administrer dans l'intervalle les territoires sous
mandat en vue du bien-être des peuples intéressésjusqu'à ce que de
nouveaux arrangements soient pris entre elles et les Nations Unies.
L'Assemblée estimait que les mandats demeureraient en vigueur
jusqu'à ce que ((denouveaux arrangements ))soient pris au sujet du statut

des territoires intéressés.Maintenir le statu quo signifiait administrer le
territoire dans le cadre de la mission sacréede civilisation et présenter des
rapports sur les actes d'administration.
IIy a des raisons décisivesde répondre par l'affirmative à la question de
savoir si les fonctions de surveillance de la Sociétédes Nations devaient

êtreexercées par la nouvelle organisation internationale crééepar la
Charte. Les auteurs du Pacte estimaient que, pour assurer effectivement
l'accomplissement de la mission sacrée de civilisation, ilimportait de
soumettre à une surveillance internationale l'administration desterritoires
sous mandat. La nécessitéd'une telle surveillance subsiste. On ne saurait

admettre que l'obligation de se soumettre à une surveillance ait disparu
pour la simple raison que l'organe de surveillance prévu dans le système
des mandats a cesséd'exister, alors que les Nations Unies offrent un
autre organe international chargé de fonctions de surveillance analogues.
Le paragraphe 1 de l'article 80 de la Charte a pour objet de garantir
les droits des peuples des territoires sous mandat jusqu'à la conclusion

d'accords de tutelle, mais les droits de ces peuples ne sauraient être
effectivement garantis sans une surveillance internationale et sansI'obliga-
tion d'adresser des rapports à un organe de surveillance.
La résolution de l'Assembléede la Sociétédes Nations du 18 avril
1946 présuppose la prise en charge par les Nations Unies des fonctions

de surveillance exercéespar la Sociétédes Nations; l'Assembléegénérale
a la compétence que les dispositions de l'article 10 de la Charte lui
confèrent et elle est fondée en droit à exercer de telles fonctions.
Le 31 janvier 1923, le Conseil de la Sociétéavait adopté certaines
règles d'après lesquelles les gouvernements mandataires devaient trans-

mettre des pétitions. Le droit ainsi acquis par les habitants du Sud-Ouest
africain est maintenu par le paragraphe 1 de l'article 80 de la Charte.
L'envoi et l'examen de pétitions font partie de la surveillance et les
pétitions doivent êtretransmises par le Gouvernement sud-africain à
l'Assembléegénéralequi est fondée en droit à les examiner.
A sa dernière séance,le 18avril 1946, la Sociétédes Nations a adopté

une résolution relative au système des mandats, résolution dont j'ai déjà
fait mention et dont les deux derniers paragraphes se lisent comme suit:

(([L'Assemblée:]3. Reconnaît que la dissolution de la Société
des Nations mettra fin à ses fonctions en ce qui concerne les terri- 111 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP.PADILLA NERVO)

territories willme to an end, but notes that Chapters XI, XII
and XII1 of the Charter of the United Nations embody principles
corresponding tothose declared in Article 22 of the Covenant of
the League;
4. Takes note of the expressed intentions of the Members of the
League now administering territoriesunder mandate to continue

to administer them for the well-being and development of the
peoples concerned in accordance with the obligations contained in
the respective Mandates, until other arrangements have been agreed
between the United Nations and the respective mandatory Powers."

EFFECT OF RESOLUTIO2 N145 (XXI) OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBL YF THE
UNITED NATIONS AND OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

The Principleof Non-Discrimination

The United Nations and the General Assembly were entrusted with
special tasks under the Charter of the United Nations and, among other
tasks, to "encourage and promote respect for human rights and for
fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race..."
(Art. 76 (c); Art. 1 (3)). The General Assembly has competence in
respect of the interpretation of the Charter, and power to enactre-
commendations regarding racial discrimination which have evolked as
principles or standards of general international acceptance.
The principle of non-discrimination on account of race or colour
has a great impact in the maintenance of international peace, and the

Organization has the duty toensure that al1 States-eventhose which
are notmembers-shall act, in accordance with the principles of Article 2
of the Charter, in the pursuit of the purposes stated in Article 1-among
them to promote and encourage respect foruman rights and fundamen-
ta1 freedoms for al], without racial discrimination (Art. 1 (3)).

Signlficanceof the Recommendationsof the General Assembly

Nobody would dispute the powers of the General Assembly to discuss
such matters as racial discrimination, in general, and especially when

they occurin a mandated territory which has an international status and
is an institution or régime whichis the concern of the Assembly. The
International Court is guided by itsatute and its Rules, but even the
Court's functions and powers may be discussed by the General Assembly,
which may make recommendations (to the United Nations Members)
in respect to them, and propose or evolve additional subsidiaryns
which the Court should apply for the determination of rules of law. toires sous mandat, mais note que des principes correspondant à

ceux que déclare l'article 22 du Pacte sont incorporés dans les
chapitres XI, XII etXII1 de la Charte des Nations Unies;

4. Note que les Membres de la Société administrant actuellement
des territoires sous mandat ont exprimé leurintention de continuer
àlesadministrer en vue du bien-êtreet du développementdes peuples
intéressés,conformément aux obligations contenues dans les divers

mandats, jusqu'à ce que de nouveaux arrangements soient pris entre
les Nations Unies et les diverses Puissances mandataires.

EFFET DE LA RÉSOLUTION 2145 (XXI) DE L'ASSEMBL ÉÉNÉRALE
DES NATIONS UNIES ET DESRÉSOLUTIONS DU CONSEIL D. SÉCURITÉ

Le principe de non-discrimination

La Charte a confiéà l'organisation des Nations Unies eà l'Assemblée
générale certaines tâchesspéciales,notamment celles d'aencourager le
respect des droits de l'homme et des libertésfondamentales pour tous,
sans distinction de race..» (art. 76 c) et art.1,par. 3). L'Assemblée
générale a compétence eu égard à l'interprétation de la Charte et elle a

lepouvoir d'adopter des recommandations qui, en matièrede discrimina-
tion raciale, se sont transforméesen principes ou(standards »générale-
ment acceptéssur le plan international.
Le principe de la non-discrimination à raison de la race ou de la
couleur a une grande importance pour le maintien de la paix inter-
nationale et l'organisation a le devoir de veillere que tous les Etats,
mêmeceux qui n'en sont pas membres, agissent conformément aux

principes de l'article 2de la Charte en vue d'atteindre lesobjectifsénoncés
à l'article premier et notamment de développeret d'encourager le respect
des droits de l'homme et des libertés fondamentales pour tous, sans
discrimination raciale (art. 1, par. 3).

La portéedes recommandationsde l'Assembléegénérale

Personne ne conteste que l'Assembléegénérale ale pouvoir de discuter
de questions comme la discrimination raciale d'une façon généraleet que
tel est plus particulièrement le cas lorsque cette discrimination se produit
dans un territoire sous mandat jouissant d'un statut international et
iorsqu'il s'agitd'une institution ou d'un régimerelevant de la compétence
de l'Assembléegénérale.La Cour internationale est guidée par son
Statut et son Règlement, mais mêmeles fonctions et pouvoirs qui Iui
sont attribués peuvent êtrediscutéspar l'Assembléegénérale, laquelle

peut adresser des recommandations à ce sujet aux Membres des Nations 112 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

The numerous and almost ilnanimous recommendations regarding
apartheid and racial discrimination are made to the Members of the
United Nations, but the Court cannot overlook or minimize their over-
riding importance and relevance. The idea of concern for peoples, for
the recognition of the role of the common man, and especially for the

peoples "not yet able to stand for themselves under the strenuous
conditions of the modern world", was the one that moved the authors
of the Covenant and is at the root of the Mandate.

For purposes of the interpretation of the Mandate according to both
its spirit and its letter, the dissolution or liquidation of the League is

not of permanent importance, since the Mandate survived. But for a
just interpretation of its terms and spirit, it is important to keep in mind
that such interpretation is being made today; that this Court is sitting in
1971 and not in 1920, and that the international community of today,
the United Nations, has the right and the duty to see that the sacred
trust is ~erformed. For that reason and to that effect. manv resolutions

were adopted in the General Assembly and are relevant'and of the greatest
importance in the consideration of the South West Africa case.

It is therefore in the exercise of its rights and duties that the General
Assembly, through its resolutions, has passed judgment on the application

in the mandated territory of the official policy of racial discrimination,
and recognized the rules and standards which the Mandatory bC yts
policy of apartheid contravenes, in violation of its obligations under the
Mandate, obligations which are not dormant at al], but alive and in
action, as are equally well alive and not dormant the rights of the peoples
of the Territory who are the beneficiaries of such obligations.

After the 1950 Opinion has been accepted and approved by the
General Assembly, it was the "law recognized by the United Nations"
(Judge Sir Hersch Lauterpacht, in Admissibility of Hearings of Petitioners
by the Committee on South West A,frica, I.C.J.Reports 1956.p. 46).
The General Assembly has had, under the relevant international

instruments, several distinct roles in regard to Namibia, and the action
which it took in this instance finds its bases in al1 these roles taken
either individually or together. The General Assembly acted: in its
capacity as the supervisory authority for the Mandate for South West
Africa; as the sole organ of theinternational community responsible for
ensuring the fulfilment of the obligations and sacred trust assumed in

respect of the people and Territory of Namibia; and as the organ prima-
rily conczrned with non-self-governing and trust territories.Unies et proposer ou trouver des moyens auxiliaires de détermination
des règlesde droit applicables par la Cour.
Les recommandations nombreuses et quasi unanimes concernant
l'apartheid et la discrimination raciale s'adressaient aux Membres des

des Nations Unies et non aux membres de la Cour, mais la Cour ne
saurait ignorer ou minimiser leur importance primordiale et leur très
grande pertinence en l'espèce. L'idéq eu'il faut s'intéresseraux popula-
tions, reconnaître le rôle de l'homme du commun et veiller tout particu-
Iièrementaux peuples 11non encore capables de se diriger eux-mêmesdans
les conditions particulièrement difficiles du monde moderne)) est celle
qui a inspiréles auteurs du Pacte et qui est à la base du mandat.
S'agissant d'interpréterle mandat dans son esprit et dans sa lettre, on

ne doitpas considérerque la dissolution ou la liquidation de la Société des
Nations présente une importance de caractère permanent, puisque le
mandat a survécu. Mais pour en interpréter les termes et l'esprit, il
importe de ne pas oublier que cette interprétation a lieu aujourd'hui,
que la Cour siègeen 1971et non en 1920et que la communautéinterna-
tionale d'au-jourd'hui - l'organisation des Nations Unies - a le droit
et le devoir de veillerà l'accomplissement de la mission sacréede civili-
sation. C'est pour cette raison et à cet effet que l'Assembléegénérale a

adoptéde nombreuses résolutionsqui sont pertinentes et qui revêtentla
plus grande importance pour l'examen de l'affaire du Sud-Ouest afri-
cain.
C'est donc dans l'exercicede ses droits et de ses devoirs que, par ses
résolutions, l'Assembléegénérale aportéunjugement sur l'application de
la politique officielle de discrimination raciale dans le territoire sous
mandat et qu'elle a reconnu l'existence des règles et des (standards ))
auxquels le défendeur contrevientpar sa politique d'apartheid violant les

obligations du mandat, obligations qui, loin d'êtreinopérantes, sont
actives et en vigueur, tout comme demeurent en vigueur aussi, loin d'être
inopérants, les droits des populations du territoire bénéficiaires desdites
obligations.
Une fois accepté etapprouvépar l'Assembléegénérale,l'avis de 1950
est devenu [loi reconnue par les Nations Unies ))(sir Hersch Lauterpacht,
Admissibilitéde l'audition de pétitionnairespar le Comitédu Sud-Ouest
africain, C.I.J. Recueil 1956, p. 46).

En vertu des instruments internationaux applicables, l'Assemblée
générale avait à jouer plusieurs rôles distincts au sujet de la Namibie,
et son action en l'occurrence trouve son fondement dans tous ces rôles
pris soit séparément soitensemble. L'Assembléegénérale aagi: en
qualité d'organe de siirveil:ance du mandat pour ie Sud-Ouest africain;
comme seul organe de la communautéinternationale chargé de veiller à
l'accomplissement des obligations et de la mission sacréeassumées à
l'égarddu peuple et du territoire de la Namibie; comme organe principa-

lement intéresséau sort desterritoires non autonomes et des territoires
sous tutelle.
100 NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN) (OP. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 113

Dans la mesure où la résolution2145(XXI)a étéadoptée par I'Assem-
bléegénéraleen qualitéd'organe de surveillance et de partie aux relations
contractuelles avec l'Afrique du Sud découlantdu mandat, cette résolu-
tion est constitutionnellement valable par elle-mêmeet a donc des effets
juridiques. De plus, lorsque l'Assembléegénérale adécidéque le mandat
étaitterminéet que l'Afrique du Sud n'avait aucun autredroit d'adminis-
trer le territoire, elle a adopté un texte qui, en plus du dispositif qu'il
renfermait, présentait le caractère d'une déclaration. Les cent quatorze

Membres de l'Assembléegénérale quiont votéen faveur de la résolution
2145 (XXI) et les trois gouvernements qui se sont abstenus ont tous re-
connu que l'Afrique du Sud avait failliàsesobligations en cequi concerne
l'administration du territoire, son obligation d'assurer le bien-êtremoral
et matériel et la sécuritédes populations indigènes et avait, en fait,
dénoncéle mandat. Dans ces conditions, l'Assembléegénérale,de toute
évidence,se devait de ne pas rester passive et de proclamer ce qui était
manifeste en fait et en droit.

Ce n'est pas parce que d'une façon généralelesactivitésde l'Assemblée
généralese traduisent surtout par des recommandations que l'Assemblée
générale nepeut agir, dans une situation où elle est partieà une relation

contractuelle, en sa qualitéde partie, ou qu'elle ne doit pas agir comme
ellel'a fait en adoptant sa résolution2145 (XXI), dans le cas d'un terri-
toire sous responsabilité internationale,à l'égardduquel aucune souve-
rainetéétatiquene s'interpose entre elle et le territoire.

Au cours des vingt-cinq dernières années, unnombre important de
mesures et d'initiatives trèsdiverses de l'organisation des Nations Unies
visant à réaliser les buts et les principes de la Charte ont trouvé leur
expression dans des résolutionsde l'Assembléegénéraleadoptéesdans le
cadre généraldu chapitre IV de la Charte. Ces résolutions ont conféré à
divers organes subsidiaires une vaste gamme de fonctions opérationnelles.
La légalitéde ces résolutions et de nombreuses autres mesures ou
initiatives prises par l'Assembléegénérale ndépendaitpas de l'existence
d'une disposition précisedu chapitre IV de la Charte, réglant chaque cas

d'espèce. En effetl'Assemblée générae lst l'organe desNations Unies qui
est compétent afin d'agir au nom de l'organisation pour des questions
très variéeset, lorsqu'elle le fait, c'est l'organisation des Nations Unies
elle-mêmequi agit. Il en va particulièrement ainsi pour les questions
économiaueset sociales et les ~roblèmesconcernant la tutelle. les terri-
toires non autonomes, l'administration et lesfinances ainsique lesmesures
qui doivent êtreprises en vertu de la Charte des Nations Unies et qui ne
relèventpas de la compétencespécialedu Conseil de sécurité.
En l'occurrence, le Conseil de sécuriténe s'est pas bornéà donner son
appui aux décisionsde l'Assembléegénérale; il les a aussi faites siennes.
Par sa résolution264 (1969), le Conseil a reconnu que le mandat avait
pris fin et que'Assembléegénéraleassumait directement la responsabilité 114 NAMIBIA (s.w.AFRICA) (SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Assembly; stated that the continued presence of South Africa in Namibia
was illegal; and called upon theGovernment of South Africa to withdraw
immediately its administration from the Territory. The Security Council
further reiterated its endorsement of the General Assembly decisions
by its resolutions 269 (1969), 276 (1970) and 283 (1970). To the extent
that General Assembly resolution 2145 (XXI) may be considered a
recommendation to th? Security Council, it became fully effective upon
its endorsement by the Council.

It cannot be denied that the combined action of both principal organs
with respect to Namibia is effective beyond any constitutional or legal
challenge.
This Court has previously stated in 1950 and reaffirmed in its 1962

Judgment: "to retain the rights derived from the Mandate and to deny
the obligations thereunder could not be justified" (I.C.J. Reports 1950,
p. 133).
There was general agreement that the General Assembly had a duty to
act on the basis of its own assessment of the situationlearly summed up
in the preamble of the relevant resolution.
In two resolutions unanimously adopted by the Security Council in
1968, the Council took note of the termination of the Mandate by the
General Assembly and took it into account. In four additional resolutions
adopted in 1969 and 1970, the Security Council recognized that the
General Assembly had terminated the Mandate, ruledthat the continued
presence of South Africa in Namibia was illegal, called uponSouth Africa
to withdraw its administration from the Territory, strongly condemned

South Africa for its refusa1 to do so and declared al1actions taken by
South Africa on behalf of or concerningNamibia to be illegaland invalid.

There is no doubt in my view, that General Assembly resolution 2145
(XXI) is valid, and that the Security Council resolution 276 (1970)is
also valid. Furthermore, the combined effect of the resolutions of these
two principal organs of the United Nations justifies the validity of the
termination of South Africa's Mandate over Namibia and makes its
continued presence in that Territory illegal.
Namibia has been and remains an international responsibility which,
though formerly discharged through the agency of the South African
Government, has at al1 times constituted an exercise of international

rather than of sovereign authority. A further part of this pren~iseis that
the people and Territory of Namibia have, forthe past 50years, possessed
a sui generis international status, not being under the sovereignty of any
State, and having been placed under the overall authority and protection
of the international community represented since 1946 by the United
Nations.

Neither South Africa nor the United Nations has possessed rights in NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN () P.IND. PADlLLA NERVO) 114

du territoire; il a indiquéaussi que la présencecontinue de l'Afrique du
Sud en Namibie étaitillégale,et a demandé au Gouvernement sud-africain
de retirer immédiatement sonadministration du territoire. Le Conseil de
sécuritéa en outre réaffirmé,ans sesrésolutions269 (1969),276(1970)et
283 (1970), qu'il approuvait les décisions de l'Assembléegénérale.Dans
la mesure où la résolution2145 (XXI) de l'Assemblée généralpeeut être
considérée commeune recommandation du Conseil de sécurité,elle a

revêtutoute son efficacitéà partir du moment où le Conseil l'a reprise
à son compte.
II est indéniableque l'action conjointe des deux principaux organes à
l'égardde la Namibie ne peut êtrecontestéedans son efficaciténi sur le
plan constitutionnel ni sur le plan juridique.
La Cour avait déjà diten 1950et a réaffirmédans son arrêtde 1962que
(rien ne permet de conserver les droits dérivésdu mandat tout en répu-
diant les obligations qui en découlen))(C.I.J.Recueil 1950, p. 133).

On s'est accordé àreconnaître que l'Assembléegénérale avaitle devoir
d'agir en fonction de sa propre évaluation de la situation telle qu'elle

était clairement résuméedans le préambule de la résolution pertinente.
Dans deux résolutions adoptées à l'unanimitéen 1968, le Conseil de
sécurité a pris note de la décisionde l'Assemblée généraldee mettre fin
au mandat et en a tenu compte. Dans quatre autres résolutionsadoptées
en 1969et 1970,le Conseil de sécuritéa reconnu que l'Assembléegénérale
avait mis fin au mandat, décidé que la présencecontinue de l'Afrique du
Sud en Namibie étaitillégale, demandéà l'Afrique du Sud de retirer son
administration du territoire,condamné énergiquement l'Afriquedu Sud
pour son refus de le faire et déclaréque toutes les mesures prises par
l'Afrique du Sud au nom de la Namibie, ou en ce qui la concerne étaient
illégaleset invalides.

A mon avis, il est incontestable que la résolution 2145 (XXI) de l'As-
sembléegénéraleest valable et que la résolution 276 (1970) du Conseil
de sécuritél'est aussi. De plus, l'effetcombinédes résolutionsde ces deux
organes principaux des Nations Unie justifie la validitéde la cessation du
mandat sud-africain sur la Namibie et donne un caractère d'illégalité au
maintien de la présencesud-africaine dans ce territoire.
La Namibie est et demeure une responsabilitéinternationale et si cette
dernière a étéauparavant exercéepar l'intermédiaire duGouvernement
sud-africain, elle n'en représentait pas moins à tout moment l'exercice
d'une autorité internationale plutôt que celle d'une souveraineté parti-

culière. Un autre aspect de cette prémisseest que le peuple et le territoire
de la Namibie jouissent depuis cinquante ans d'un statut international
propre, puisqu'ils ne sont pas placéssous la souveraineté d'unEtat quel-
conque mais sous l'autoritéet la protection généralede la communauté
internationale, représentée depuis 1946 par l'Organisation des Nations
Unies.
Ni l'Afrique du Sud ni l'organisation des Nations Unies n'ont joui de Namibia for any purpose other than to secure the rights and interests of

the people of the Territory. For the Mandate did not confer ownership
or sovereignty or permanent rights, but consisted only of a conditional
grant of powers for the achievement of a purpose-not for the benefitof
the grantee but for the bene5.tof a third Party, the people and Territory
of Namibia-which powers were to be relinquished as soon as the
purpose was achieved.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted, on 24 October 1970,
resolution 2625 (XXV) embodying a Declaration on principles of Inter-
national Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among
States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The
Declaration States, inter alia, in the sixth paragraph of the section The
principle of equal rights and self-determinationof peoples:

"The territory of a colony or other Non-Self-Governing Territory
has, under the Charter, a status separate and distinct from the
territory of the State administering it; andsuch separate and distinct
status under the Charter shall exist until the people of the colony or
Non-Self-Governing Territory have exercised their right of self-
determination in accordance with the Charter, and particularly its
purposes and principles."

By this Declaration, the General Assembly also declared further that:

"The principles of the Charter which are embodied in this Decla-
ration constitute basic principles of international law,"

and consequently appealed to al1States-

"to be guided by these principles in their international conduct and
to develop their mutual relations on the basis of their strict obser-
vance." (Declaration, ibid.,General part,para. 3.)

The United Nations had valid reason to proceed to the revocation.
In resolution 2145(XXI)the General Assembly relied on various grounds
for its decision, and some at least of those grounds are of such a nature
that their validitycan be established without it being necessary to go into
factual issues.
In the operative part of resolution 2145 (XXI) the General Assembly,
interalia,

(i) reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of South West Africa
to self-determination, freedom and independence; NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN () P.[ND. PADILLA NERVO) 115

droits en Namibie à d'autres fins que de protéger les droits et intérêtdu
peuple du territoire. En effet, le mandat n'a conféré aucun droit de

propriétéou de souveraineté ni aucun droit permanent; il visait seule-
ment à octroyer conditionnellement des pouvoirs en vue de la réalisation
d'un objectif - non en faveur du mandataire, mais en faveur d'un tiers,
le peuple et le territoire de la Namibie- lesdits pouvoirs devant expirer
dèsque l'objectif serait atteint.
L'Assemblée générale deN sations Unies a adopté le 24 octobre 1970
la résolution 2625 (XXV) qui contient une déclaration relative aux prin-

cipes du droit international touchant les relations amicales et la coopéra-
tion entre les Etats conformément à la Charte des Nations Unies. La
déclaration prévoitnotamment, au sixième alinéade la partie intitulée
Le principe de l'égalité de droitd ses peuples et de leur droit à disposer
d'eux-mêmes :

11Le territoire d'une colonie ou d'un autre territoire non autonome
possède,en vertu de la Charte, un statut séparéet distinct de celui du
territoire de1'Etat qui l'administre; ce statut séparéet distinct en
vertu de la Charte existe aussi longtemps que le peuple de la colonie

ou du territoire non autonome n'exerce pas son droit à disposer de
lui-mêmeconformément à la Charte des Nations Unies et, plus
particulièrement, à ses buts et principes.))

Dans cette déclaration, l'Assembléegénéralea égalementproclamé:

(1Les principes de la Charte qui sont inscrits dans la présente
Déclaration constituent des principes fondamentaux du droit inter-
national ))

et a demandéen conséquence à tous les Etats

(de s'inspirer de ces principes dans leur conduite internationale et
de développer leursrelations mutuelles sur la base du respect rigou-
reux desdits principes. 1)(Déclaration, ibid., dispositions générales,
par. 3.)

Validité

Les Nations Unies avaient une raison valable de procéder à la révo-
cation. Dans la résolution 2145 (XXI) l'Assembléegénéralea invoqué
divers motifs à l'appui de sa décision etcertains d'entre eux au moins
sont d'un caractèretel que leur validitépeut être prouvée sansqu'il soit
nécessaire d'examiner desquestions de fait.

Dans le dispositif de la résolution2145 (XXI) l'Assemblée généralae,
entre autres,
i) réaffirméle droit inaliénable du peuple du Sud-Ouest ~fricain à

l'autodétermination, à la libertéetà l'indépendance; (ii) reaffirmed that South West Africa is a territory having international

status which it shall maintain until it achieves independence;

(iii) declared that South Africa had failed to fulfil its obligations in
respect of the Territory and had disavowed the Mandate;
(iv) decided that the Mandate conferred upon His Britannic Majesty
to be exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Union of

South Africa is, therefore, terminated; that South Africa has no
other right to administer the Territory and that henceforth South
West Africa comes under the direct responsibility of the United
Nations;
(v) resolved to discharge these responsibilities with respect to South
West Africa;

(vi) established an adhoc committee to recommend practical means by
which South West Africa should be administered so as to enable
the people of the Territory to exercise their right of self-determina-
tion and to achieve independence;
(vii) called upon the Government of South Africa forthwith to refrain
and desist from any action which will, in any manner whatsoever,

alter or tend to alter the present international status of South West
Africa;
(viii) called the attention of the Security qouncil to this resolution, and
(ix) requested al1States to extend their whole-hearted CO-operation and
assistance in implementing this resolution.

The Security Council, in aid of the decisions taken by the General
Assembly, upheld the principles embodied in General Assembly resolution
2145 (XXI), and adopted resolutions 245, 246 (1968); 264, 269 (1969);
276, 283 and 284 (1970). In these resolutions, the Security Council
recognized that the General Assembly had terminated the Mandate of
South Africa over Namibia and assumed direct responsibility for the

Territory until its independence, and called upon the Government of
South Africa to withdraw its administration from the Territory immedi-
ately (resolution 264 of 1969,reaffirmed in later resolutions).
The request for advisory opinion was made in resolution 284 (1970).
By this resolution, the Security Council reaffirmed the special responsi-
bility of the United Nations with regard to the Territory and the people

of Namibia, recalled resolution 276 and decided to submit the question
to the International Court of Justice for an advisoryopinion.

In resolution 276 (1970), the Security Council reaffirmed General
Assembly resolution 2145 (XXI) by which théUnited Nations decided to
terminate the Mandate of South West Africa and assumed direct responsi-

bility for the Territory until its independence, and reaffirmed Security
Council resolution 264 (1969) which recognized this termination and
called upon the Government of South Africa immediately to withdraw NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN ()P. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 116

ii) réaffirméque le Sud-Ouest africain est un territoire qui a un statut
international qu'il devra conserver jusqu'à ce qu'il accèdeà I'indé-
pendance;
iii) déclaré quel'Afrique du Sud a faillises obligations en ce qui con-
cerne le territoire et'elle a dénoncéle mandat:
iv) décidéque lemandat ionfiéà Sa Majestébritannique pour êtreexercé

en son nom par le Gouvernement de l'Union sud-africaine est donc
terminé; que l'Afrique du Sud n'a aucun autre droit d'administrer le
territoire, et que désormaisle Sud-Ouest africain relèvedirectement
de la responsabilitéde l'organisation des Nations Unies;

v) résolude s'acquitter de cette responsabilitéà l'égard duSud-Ouest
africain;
vi) crééun comité spécial chargé de recommander des dispositions
d'ordre pratique pour l'administration du Sud-Ouest africain, afin
de permettre au peuple du territoire d'exercer son droit à l'auto-
détermination et d'accéder à l'indépendance;

vii) invité le Gouvernement sud-africain à s'abstenir età se désister
immédiatement de toute action qui de quelque manière que ce soit
modifierait ou tendrait à modifier le statut international actuel du
Sud-Ouest africain;
viii) appelé l'attention du Conseil de sécuritésur la résolution,et
ix) prié tous les Etats de prêter sansréserve leurconcours et d'aiderà
l'exécutionde la résolution.

Pour appuyer les décisions prisespar l'Assemblée générale l, Conseil
de sécuritéa confirmé les principes énoncésdans la résolution2145 (XXI)
de l'Assembléegénéraleet a adopté les résolutions245, 246 (1968); 264,

269 (1969); 276, 283 et 284 (1970). Dans ces résolutions le Conseil de
sécuritéa,yant reconnu que l'Assembléegénéraleavait mis fin au mandat
de l'Afrique du Sud sur la Namibie et assumait la responsabilité directe
du territoire jusqu'à son indépendance, a demandé au Gouvernement
sud-africain de retirer immédiatement son administration du territoire
(résolution264 de 1969,réaffirméedans des résolutions ultérieures).
La requête pour avis consultatif a étéformulée dans la résolution
284 (1970). Par cette résolution le Conseil de sécuritéa réaffirméla res-
ponsabilité spécialede l'organisation des Nations Unies en ce qui con-
cerne le territoire et le peuple de la Namibie, rappeléla résolution 276

et décidéde soumettre la question à la Cour internationale de Justice
pour avis consultatif.
Dans la résolution276 leConseil de sécurité,ayant réaffirmé la résolu-
tion 2145 (XXI) de l'Assemblée généralp ear laquelle les Nations Unies
avaient décidé demettre fin au mandat sur le Sud-Ouest africain et
assumaient la responsabilité directe du territoire jusqu'à son indépen-
dance, a réaffirmésa propre résolution 264 (1969) dans laquelle ilavait
reconnu la cessation du mandat et demandéau Gouvernement sud-afri- 117 I4AMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA SEP. OP. PADlLLA NERVO)

from this Territory. Neither the Security Council nor the General Assem-
bly has requested the Court to advise on the legal validity or otherwise
of the action taken by them or the resolutions passed by them.

The principles of the Charter, on the basis of which action has been
taken by the General Assembly and the Security Council, have been
elaborated in the United Nations Declaration on Principles of Interna-
tional Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among
States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, which was
unanimously adopted by the General Assembly on 24 October 1970.

The first argument against the formal validity of Security Council
resolutions in general is based by the South African Government on the
composition of the Council and concerns the representation of China-
the "Republic of China", as it isnamed in paragraph I of Article 23of the
Charter. It is the Government of Nationalist China which has occupied
the permanent seat of China from the foundation of the United Nations
down to today. South Africa itself has always considered the Nationalist
Government as the legal Government of China. When it cornes to the
right of representation of two rival governments of a member State, it is
obviously the competent organ of the United Nations, in this case the
General Assembly, which should decide. Up to now, there has not been
any change in the representation of China in the United Nations. This
objection to the validity of SecurityCouncil resolutions should, therefore

be rejected.

The South African Government alleges that the Security Council did
not act in conformity with the procedure laid down by Article 27, para-
graph 3, of the Charter, when it adopted the various resolutions dealing
with the question now before the Court,andthat in consequence al1those
resolutions are nul1 and void. Resolution 284 (1970), containing the
request for an advisory opinion which underlies the present proceedings,
was adopted despite the abstention of three members, two of which were
permanent members. Likewise resolution 276 (1970)was adopted in spite
of the abstention of two permanent members and, at the previous vote on
a phrase in the draft resolution, the words in question were retained des-
pite the abstention of four members, three of which werepermanent mem-

bers. Nevertheless, those votes cannot be considered as irregular and thus
nuIl and void, for there is a long-standing practice, followed by the
Security Council since 1950,which has interpreted the provisions of Ar-
ticle 27, paragraph 3, in such a way that the abstention of one or more
permanent members does not have the same effect as a negative vote.
It is also generally recognized that the absence of a permanent member
from a meeting of the Security Council does not prevent the taking of
decisions which are valid even if they relate to questions of substance.
The new procedural practice with regard to votes in the Security Council
was followed without any objection on the part of the General Assembly. cain de retirer immédiatement son administration du territoire. Ni le
Conseil de sécurité nil'Assembléegénérale n'ont prié la Cour de donner
son avis sur la validitéjuridique de l'action entreprise ou des résolutions
adoptéespar eux.
Les principes de la Charte dont l'Assemblée généraleet le Conseil de
sécuritése sont inspirésen menant leur action ont été développé dsans

la déclaration des Nations Unies relative aux principes du droit inter-
national touchant les relations amicales et la coopération entre les Etats
conformément à la Charte des Nations Unies, déclaration que 1'Assem-
bléegénéralea adoptée à l'unanimitéle 24octobre 1970.
Le premier argument que le Gouvernement sud-africain invoque pour
contester la validité formelle desrésolutions du Conseil de sécuritéen
général estfondé sur la composition du Conseil et a trait à la représep-
tation de la Chine- la(République de Chine 11comme elleest appelée à
l'article 23, paragraphe 1, de la Charte. C'est le Gouvernement de la
Chine nationaliste qui occupe le siègepermanent de la Chine depuis la

création des Nations Unies. L'Afrique du Sud pour sa part a toujours
considéréle Gouvernement nationaliste comme le gouvernement légitime
de la Chine. S'agissant du droit de représentation de deux gouvernements
rivaux d'un Etat Membre, c'est manifestement à l'organe compétentdes
Nations Unies, en l'espèce à l'Assemblée générale, qu'a ilppartient de
trancher la question. Jusqu'à présent, aucune modification n'est inter-
venue dans la représentation de la Chine aux Nations Unies. En con-
séquencecette objection quant à la validité desrésolutionsdu Conseil de
sécuritédevrait êtrere~oussée.
Le Gouvernement Ad-africain prétend que le Conseil de sécuritén'a
pas agi conformément à la procéduredéfinie à l'article 27, paragraphe 3,
de la Charte, lorsqu'il a adopté les diverses résolutions relativesà la

question dont la Cour est aujourd'hui saisie, et qu'en conséquencetoutes
ces résolutions sont nulles et de nul effet. La résolution 284(1970), où
est formulée la requêtepour avis consultatif qui est à l'origine de la
présenteinstance, a étéadoptéeen dépit deI'abstention de trois membres
dont deux étaientdes membres permanents. La résolution 276 (1970) a
été, demême,adoptée en dépit de I'abstention de deux membres per-
manents et, lors d'un vote précédentsur un membre de phrase figurant
dans le projet de résolution, ce membre de phrase a été conservémalgré
I'abstention de quatre membres dont trois étaient des membres perma-
nents. Ces votes ne sauraient toutefois êtreconsidéréscomme irréguliers

et partant les résolutions comme nulles, carnepratiquedéjàanciennedu
Conseil de sécurité,qui remonte à 1950, a interprétéles dispositions de
l'article7, paragraphe 3, en sorte que I'abstention d'un ou de plusieurs
membres permanents n'a pas le mêmeeffet-qu'un vote négatif.En outre
il est généralement admis quel'absence d'un membre permanent à une
séancedu Conseil de sécurité n'empêch peas l'adoption de décisionsqui
sont valables, mêmesi elles se rapportent à des questions de fond. La
nouvelle procédure, en ce qui concerne les votes au Conseil de sécurité, 118 NAMlBlA (S.W. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

Article 32 of the Charter, which is relied upon by the South African
Government, presupposes the existence of a dispute to which the State
which is not a member of the Security Council is a Party, as a ground for

having the right to participate, without the right to vote, in discussions
relating to that dispute. It is not the purpose of Security Council resolution
284 (1970) to settle a dispute between States; it is connected with a
situation,namely the question of Namibia, and with the responsibilities
which the United Nations assumed in 1966 (resolution 2145 (XXI)) in
respect of that Territory and its inhabitants. Article 32 of the Charter was

therefore not applicable. Although the definite aini of the Council, when
it adopted resolution 276 (1970), was to obtain the withdrawal of the
South African authorities from Namibia, the intention was, at the same
time, to strengthen the maintenance of international peace and security
and to reduce the existing tension. As the matter at issue was not a

dispute between States but a situation which concerned the United
Nations as such, the Security Council was under no obligation to invite
South Africa to participate, without the right to vote, in the discussions
which preceded the adoption of the resolution.
Article 24 of the Charter constitutes a legal basis for resolution 276
(1970) of the Security Council. That Article confers on the Council not

only the specificpowers set forth in Chapters VI, VII, VI11and XII, but
also general powers, consistent with the aims and principles of the United
Nations. With regard to the interpretation of Article 24 of the Charter,
it is said in the treatise published in 1969 by Goodrich, Hambro and
Simons, entitled Charter of the United Nations: "Article 24 (2) states that

the 'specific powers granted to the Security Council' are laid down in
Chapters VI, VlI, VI11and XII of the Charter. This statement raises the
question whether the Council has these powers only or whether it may
exercise such other powers, consistent with the purposes and principles
of the Charter, as are necessary for it to discharge its responsibilities.
The latter, more liberal interpretation has been generally accepted."

(P. 204.) The objections of the South African Government to the intrinsic
validity of resolution 276 (1970) of the Security Council should be dis-
missed.

The first four paragraphs of the operative part of the resolution are

addressed in the first place to South Africa. They all, in particular para-
graph 2, contain important findings which bind that State legally. It is
therefore put under an obligation, by virtue of Article 25 of the Charter,
to modify its conduct in the Namibia question in conformity with the
decisions of the Security Council. Given that the continued presence of the
South African authorities in Namibia is illegal, al1the measures taken by

them in the name of that Territory, or concerning that Territory, after the
cessation of the Mandate, are illegal and invalid. That finding is also a étésuivie sans que l'Assembléegénéraleélèvela moindre objection.
L'article 32 de la Charte, que le Gouvernement sud-africain invoque,
fait de l'existence d'un différendauquel 1'Etat non membre du Conseil
de sécuritéest partie la condition nécessairedu droit pour cet Etat de

participer, sans droit de vote, aux discussions relatives ce différend.La
résolution284 (1970)du Conseil desécurité n'apaspour objet de réglerun
d~flérendentre Etats; elle se réfère à une situation, à savoir la ques-
tion de la Namibie, et aux responsabilités que les Nations Unies
ont assumées en1966(résolution2145 (XXI)) au regard de ce territoire
et de ses habitants. L'article 32 de la Charte n'étaitdonc pas applicable.
Encore qu'en adoptant la résolution 276 (1970) le Conseil ait visétrès
précisément à obtenir leretrait des autoritéssud-africaines dela Namibie,
son intention était aussi de renforcerla paix et la sécuriinternationales
et de réduirela tension existante. Comme ce qui étaiten cause n'était
pas un différendentre Etats, mais une situation qui concernait les Nations

Unies en tant que telles, le Conseil de sécurité n'était aucunementtenu
d'inviter l'Afriquedu Sud àparticiper, sans droit de vote, aux discussions
qui ont précédé l'adoption de ladite résolution.

L'article 24 de la Charte constitue le fondement juridique de la résolu-
tion 276 (1970) du Conseil de sécurité.Cet article confère au Conseil
non seulement les pouvoirs spécifiquesénoncés aux chapitresVI, VII,
VI11 et XII, mais aussi des pouvoirs généraux, compatiblesavec les
objectifs et les principes des Nations Unies. En ce qui concerne I'inter-
prétation de l'article 24 de la Charte, il est dit dans le traité publiéen
1969par Goodrich, Hambro et Simons, et intituléCharter of the United
Nations:
(Aux termes de l'article 24, paragraphe 2, les pouvoirs spéci-
fiques accordésau Conseil de sécuritésont définisaux chapitres VI, VII,
VI11et XII de la Charte. Cette affirmation soulèvela question de savoir
si ces pouvoirs sont les seuls que détienne le Conseil ou s'il peut en
exercer d'autres, compatibles avec les buts et les principes de la Charte,
qui lui sont nécessairespour s'acquitter de ses responsabilités. C'est
cettedernière interprétation,plus libérale,quia égénéralemena tcceptée.))
(P. 204.) Les objections formuléespar le Gouvernement sud-africain à
l'encontre dela validitéintrinsèque dela résolution276(1970)du Conseil
de sécurité devraient être écartées.
Les quatre premiers paragraphes du dispositif de la résolutions'adres-

sent en premier lieuà l'Afriquedu Sud. Tous,etnotamment leparagraphe
2, énoncentdesconclusions importantes qui lient cet Etat sur leplan juri-
dique. Il lui est donc fait obligation, en vertu de l'article 25 de la Charte,
de modifier son comportement à propos de la Namibie, conformément
aux décisionsdu Conseil de sécurité.La présencecontinue des autorités
sud-africaines en Namibie étant illégale,toutes les mesures prises par
elles au nom de ce territoire, ou en ce qui le concerne, après la cessation
du mandat sont illégaleset nulles. Cette conclusion a aussi force119 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA) (SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

binding on al1 member States of the United Nations other than South
Africa.

It must be pointed out that South Africa, in international law, has,
so long as its illegalpresence in Namibia lasts, certain obligations vis-à-vis
that Territory and its population. Those obligations are for the most part
the same as were incumbent upon South Africa before the cessation of the
Mandate. It is thus under an obligation to promote in continuous fashion
the well-being and development of the peoples of the Territory, in con-
formity with Article 22 of the League of Nations Covenant and with the
Mandate for South West Africa. South Africa has likewise an obligation
to act in conformity with the Declaration regarding non-self-governing
territories forming Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter. No matter
under what régime,human rights have to be respected in Namibia as
elsewhere.
The South African Government, after its attempts to annex the man-

dated territory had been defeated by the vigorous resistance of the United
Nations, and after it had definitely refused to subject the Territory to
trusteeship, nonetheless stated on various occasions that it would main-
tain the status quo, and that it would continue to administer the Territory
in the spirit of the current Mandate.
Included among the international rules which are binding on the
administration of the international territory of Namibia are declarations
and resolutions formally adopted by the principal organs of the United
Nations which represent generally accepted interpretations and applica-
tions of the provisions of the United Nations Charter, and which either
are of general application, or are stated to have specific reference to the
situation of Namibia.
The legal consequence for South Africa of its continued and illegal

presence in Namibia, is therefore that this constit~itesan internationally
wrongful act and a breach of international legal obligations, owing by
South Africa not only to the United Nations but also to the people and
Territory of Namibia.

All States are required, under the provisions of Article 25 of the United
Nations Charter, to comply with the resolutions of the Security Council
and to assist the United Nations under Article 2, paragraph 5, of the
Charter in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter. States are
obliged to support the United Nations in securing the withdrawal of the
South African administration from Namibia and in ensuring the free and
effectiveexercise by the people of Namibia of their right to self-determi- NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN ()P. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 119

d'obligation pour tous les Etats Membres des Nations Unies autres que
l'Afrique du Sud.

CONSÉQUENC ESRIDIQUES POUR L'AFRIQUE DU SUD, POUR LES AUTRES
ETATSMEMBRE S ES NATIONSUNIES ET POUR LES ETATS NON MEMBRES

IIconvient de signaler que tant qu'elle maintient sa présence illégale
en Namibie l'Afrique du Sud a en droit international certaines obliga-
tions vis-à-vis de ce territoire et de sa population. Ces obligations sont
pour la plupart les mêmesque celles qui incombaient à l'Afrique du Sud

avant la cessation du mandat. C'est ainsi qu'elle a I'obligation d'accroître
régulièrementle bien-êtredes peuples du territoire et d'assurer leur dé-
veloppement conformément à I'article 22 du Pacte de la Sociétédes
Nations et au mandat pour le Sud-Ouest africain. L'Afrique du Sud a
de même l'obligationd'agir conformément à la déclaration relative aux

territoires non autonomes qui constitue le chapitreXI de la Charte des
Nations Unies. Sous quelques régimeque ce soit, les droits de l'homme
doivent êtrerespectésen Namibie comme ailleurs.
Le Gouvernen-ient sud-africain ayant échoué dans ses tentatives

d'annexion du territoire sous mandat devant la vive opposition des
Nations Unies, ayant par ailleurs catégoriquement refusé de placer le
territoire sous tutelle, a néanmoins déclaréà plusieurs reprises qu'il
maintiendrait lestatu quo et qu'il continuerait à administrer le territoire
dans l'esprit du mandat en vigueur.

Parmi les règles internationales qui s'imposent à l'administration du
territoire internationade la Namibie figurent les déclarations et réso-
lutions officielles des organes principaux des Nations Unies, qui repré-
sentent des interprétations et applications généralement acceptées des
dispositions de la Charte, qu'elles soient d'application générale ou

qu'elles visent expressément la situationlaNamibie.

La conséquence juridique pour l'Afrique du Sud du maintien de sa
présence illégaleen Namibie est donc que cette présence constitue un
acte internationalement illicite et une violation d'obligations juridiques

internationales auxquelles l'Afrique du Sud est tenue non seulement vis-
à-vis des Nations Unies mais aussi vis-à-vis du peuple et du territoire de
la Namibie.
En vertu de I'articl25de la Charte des Nations Unies, tous les Etats

doivent se conformer aux résolutions du Conseil de sécuritéet, aux
termes de l'article2, paragraphe 5, de la-Charte, ils doivent assister
l'organisation des Nations Unies dans toute action entreprise par elle
conformément aux dispositions de la Charte. Les Etats ont I'obligation
d'aider l'organisation des Nations Unies à obtenir que l'administration

sud-africainese retirede la Namibie et à permettre au peuple namibien 120 NAMIBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

nation and independence. Since the termination of South Africa's Man-
date over Namibia, States are precluded from establishing or maintaining
any relation with Namibia through the Government of South Africa or
through the illegal South African administration in the Territory.

It should be the duty of every Member of the United Nations

to recognize the authority of the United Nations to administer the
Territory of Namibia;
to recognize the inalienable right of the people of Namibia to self-deter-
mination and independence;
to take joint andseparate action in CO-operationwith the United Nations
(Art. 56)for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55 of
the Charter;
to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council which it has
taken or which it may take from time to time in accordance with the
Charter (Art.25), such as the steps mentioned in resolution 283 (1970).

Al1States have the obligation not to recognize the presence of South
Africa in Namibia in contravention of resolution 276(1970)ofthe Security
Council and resolution 2145 (XXI) of the General Assembly.

Plebiscite

The position of the South African Government in respect to South
West Africa has always been veryclear and consistent, in the sensethat it
considers the Territory as an integral part of South Africa and that in fact
the annexation has taken place and that it does not intend ever to give
up the Territory.
On 4 November 1946,during the First Session of the General Assembly
of the United Nations held at Lake Success, Field Marshal Smuts, at the
fourteenth meeting of the Fourth Committee, presented a statement con-
cerning the mandatedterritory of South West Africa (UN doc. A/C.4/41).
He recalled the fact that during the First World War, President Wilson
and other Allied spokesmen had emphasized the right of self-determina-
tion of al1peoples and had made anyform of annexationunacceptableto
the Peace Conference. South West Africa, he continued, was so essen-

tially a part of the South African territory and people, that a particulai.
form of mandate had to be devisedto meet the needs ofthe South African
situation. Owing to the physical contiguity of South West Africa to the
Union and its ethnological kinship with the rest of South Africa, the
argument ran, the Union of South Africa was legitimately concerned in
securing the annexation of that Territory. President Wilson understood,
said Field Marshal Smuts, that the future of that Territory lay in its
incorporation.d'exercer librement et effectivement son droità l'autodétermination et à
l'indépendance. Depuis la fin du mandat de l'Afrique du Sud sur la
Namibie, lesEtats doivent s'abstenir de nouer oud'entretenir desrelations
quelconques avec la Namibie par le truchement du Gouvernement sud-
africain ou de l'administration sud-africaine illégaledu territoire.
Il est du devoir detous lesMembres des Nations Unies :

de reconnaître aux Nations Unies le pouvoir d'administrer le territoire
de laNamibie;
de reconnaître le droit inaliénabledu peuple namibien à l'autodétermi-
nation et àl'indépendance;

d'agir, tant conjointement que séparément,en coopération avec I'Orga-
nisation des Nations Unies (art. 56) en vued'atteindre les buts énoncés
à l'article 55de la Charte;
d'accepter et d'appliquer les décisionsqui ont étéprises ou qui pourront
êtreprises par le Conseil de sécuritéconformément à la Charte(art. 25),
telles que les mesures indiquéesdans la résolution 283 (1970).

Tous les Etats ont l'obligation de ne pas reconnaître la présencede
l'Afrique du Sud en Namibie en violation de la résolution276 (1970) du
Conseil de sécuritéet de la résolution2145 (XXI) de l'Assembléegénérale.

Plébiscite

La position du Gouvernement sud-africain au sujet du Sud-Ouest
africain a toujours été parfaitement claire et conséquente: ce gouverne-
ment considère que le territoire forme une partie intégrante del'Afrique
du Sud, que l'annexiona étéréalisée en fait et il entend nejamais renoncer

au territoire.
Le 4 novembre 1946, pendant la première session de l'Assemblée
générale desNations Unies, tenue à Lake Success, à la quatorzième
séancede la Quatrième Commission, le maréchalSmuts a fait une décla-
ration relative au territoire sous mandat du Sud-Ouest africain(doc. des
Nations Unies AlC.4141). Il a rappeléqu'au cours de la première guerre
mondiale le présidentWilson et d'autres porte-parole des Alliésavaient
proclamé le droit des peuples à disposer d'eux-mêmes,ce qui excluait
pour la conférencede la paix toute possibilitéd'accepter desannexions de
territoires sous aucuneforme; que le Sud-Ouest africain faisait à un tel
degrépartie intégrante de l'Afrique du Sud, territorialement aussi bien

que démographiquement, qu'il avait fallu créer un type particulier de
mandat pour répondre aux nécessitésde la situation; que le Sud-Ouest
africain étant limitrophe del'Union sud-africaine et sa population étant
ethniquement apparentée à celle du reste de l'Afrique du Sud, l'Union
sud-africaineavait un légitimeintérê t obtenir l'annexionde ceterritoire.
Le président Wilson avait compris - a poursuivi le maréchal Smuts -
que l'avenir du Sud-Ouest africain étaitlià son rattachement à l'Union. 121 NAMlBIA (S.W. AFRICA()SEP. OP. PADILLA NERVO)

"By now [1946],South West Africa was so thoroughly integrated
with the Union that its forma1 incorporationwas mainly required to
remove doubts, and thereby to attract capital and encourage indivi-
dual initiative, and to render unnecessary a separate fiscal system.
Incorporation would thus admit the inhabitants to the full benefits
enjoyed by the population of the Union.

........................
The integration of South West Africa with the Union might be a
process lasting over many years, but it would be as inevitable as the

union of Wales and Scotland with England, of Texas and Louisiana
with the American Union, and of Eastern Siberia with the Russian
Union. At present [1946], South West Africa was a geographic,
ethnic, strategic and economic part of the Union of South Africa.
The integration of South West Africa with the Union would be
mainly a formal recognition of a unity that already existed." (GA,
OR, Fourth Committee, 14th Meeting, 4 November 1946; italics
added.)

At that time and subsequently, South Africa has claimed sovereignty
over the mandated territory and has openly declared its breach and dis-
regard of the principle of non-annexation proclaimed by the Versailles
Peace Conference. The avowed annexationwas then and is now improper
and unacceptable.
It isan admission by South Africa that the essential principle contained
in the Covenant and the basic purpose of the mandates system has been
violated, and is not now admitted or recognized as having any value or
being applicable to Namibia. This evidence, and the violation of other
obligations of the Mandatory, are anlong the compelling reasons taken

into account by the General Assembly for the declaration that the Man-
date was terminated and a justification of resolution 2145 (XXI).

At the hearing of 15 March 1971,the representative for South Africa
stated:
"Against the background of the submission which we had made in

the previous proceedings to the effect that the Mandate, as a whole,
had lapsed, together with al1obligations thereunder, the honourable
President asked the question 'Under what title does the Government
of South Africa claim to carry on the administration of Namibia?'
Our answer is as follows:
South Africa conqueredthe Territory by force of arms in 1915,and
administered it under military rule until the end of the war. NAMIBIE (S.-O.AFRICAIN (OP. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 121

<<Actuellement [1946], le Sud-Ouest africain est si étroitement
intégrédans l'Union qu'une mesure ojjîcielle de rattachement serait
nécessaire, surtout pour éliminer les doutes et, de cette façon,
attirer les capitaux, encourager l'initiative individuelle et rendre

superflu un régimefiscal distinct. Le rattachement donnerait ainsi
aux habitants du territoire tous les avantages dont jouit la population
de l'union.
........................
L'intégration du Sud-Ouest africain à l'Union pourrait être le

résultat d'une évolution qui a pris de nombreuses années, mais ce
serait un phénomène aussi inévitable que la réunion du Pays de
Galles et de 1'Ecosse à l'Angleterre, du Texas et de la Louisiane à
la Fédération américaine,et de la Sibérie orientale à la Russie. A
l'heure actuelle [1946], le Sud-Ouest africain forme partie intégrante

de I'Union sud-africaine au point de vue géographique, ethnique,
stratégique et économique. ~'inté~ration du Sud-Ouest africain à
I'Union sud-africaine serait essentiellement la reconnaissance
officielle d'une unité qui existe déjà11(Documents officiels de l'As-
semblée générale,Quatrième Commission, 14' séance, 4 novembre

1946; les italiques sont de nous.)
A partir de là, l'Afrique du Sud a revendiqué la souveraineté sur le

territoire sous mandat; elle a ouvertement déclaré qu'elle violait et
refusait de reconnaître le principe de non-annexion énoncépar la con-
férence de la paix de Versailles. L'annexion avouée était alors, et est
encore actuellement, irrégulière et inadmissible.
L'Afrique du Sud reconnaît que le principe essentiel énoncédans le

Pacte et l'objet fondamental du système des mandats ont été violés,et
que ce principe n'est actuellement ni admis ni reconnu comme possédant
une valeur quelconque ou comme applicable à la Namibie. Cet aveu,
ainsi que la violation d'autres obligations incombant au mandataire,
sont parmi les raisons décisivesdont l'Assembléegénéralea tenu compte

pour déclarer que le mandat avait pris fin, et justifient la résolution
2145 (XXI).
A l'audience du 15 mars 1971, le représentant de l'Afrique du Sud
déclarait:

(1En liaison avec la conclusion que nous avons présentéedans
l'instance antérieure et selon laquelle le mandat est tout entier
devenu caduc, ainsi que les obligations qu'il prévoyait, le Président

a posé la question suivante: ((A quel titre le Gouvernement sud-
africain prétend-il continuer à administrer la Namibie?)) Notre
réponseest la suivante:
L'Afrique du Sud a conquis le territoire par la force des armes

en 1915 et l'a administré sous un régimemilitaire jusqu'à la fin de la
guerre. In the years since 1915, South West Africa has inevitably been

integratedeven more closely with the Republic.
........................
In the light of this history, it is the view of the South African
Government that, if it is accepted that the Mandate has lapsed, the
South African Government would have the right to administer the
Territory by reason of a combination of factors, being (a) its
original conquest; (b) its long occupation; (c) the continuation of
the sacred trust basis agreed upon in 1920; and, finally (d) because
its administration is to the benefit ofthe inhabitants of the Territory
and is desired by them. In these circumstances the South African
Governmentcannot accept that any State or organization can have a
better title to the Territory." (Italics added.)

The question of a plebiscitehas no relevance whatsoeverto the question
posed by the Security Council for the advisory opinion of this Court. The
question of a plebiscite is a political question which has to be dealt with
by the United Nations either in the General Assembly or in the Security
Council. The question raised by South Africa can be briefly dismissedas
being irrelevant and not falling within theambit of the question that this
Court has been requested to answer. The issues of non-annexation,
apartheidand independence are not even mentioned as possibleterms of a
plebiscite. The proposa1 that the Court should supervise a political act,
which would have been the concern of the General Assembly or the

SecurityCouncil,should ofcourse berejected. The Court rightly answered
that it "cannot entertain this proposal". 1 especially concur with the
Court's comment regarding such proposal when it stated that :

"The Court having concluded that no further evidence was
required, that the Mandate was validly terminated and that in
consequence South Africa's presence in Namibia is illegal and its
acts on behalf of or concerning Namibia are illegal and invalid, it
follows that it cannot entertain this proposal."

Against the background of the acts and intentions of South Africa in
respect to the Territory of Namibia, it is obvious that such a request can
have no other purpose than to obtain recognition of a conquest, an
integrationand an annexationwhich have already taken place. The status
of South West Africa was thus defacto unilaterally and illegallychanged.
Twenty-five years ago, a request for annexation-founded on the alleged
results of a plebiscite which Field Marshal Smuts presented to the
General Assembly-was rejected. The feeling and declarations of the
majority of delegations were that the spirit of the Charter would not be
constructively implemented by the only two alternatives proposed by the
Union of South Africa; Le., incorporation or a continuation of the A partir de 1915 leSud-Ouest africain s'est inévitablement intégré
de plus en plus àla Républiquesud-africaine.
........................
Etant donné ces antécédentshistoriques, le Gouvernement sud-

africain estime qu'étantadmise la caducitédu mandat, il aurait le
droit d'administrer le territoire grâce au jeu d'une sériede facteurs
qui sont: a) la conquêteinitiale, b) une occupation prolongée, c) le
maintien de la mission sacrée confiée et acceptéeen 1920, d) lefait
que son administration s'exerceau profit des habitants du territoire
et qu'elle est voulue par eux. Dans ces conditions, le Gouvernement
sud-africain ne saurait considérer qu'un Etat ou une organisation
puisse avoir un meilleur titre à administrer le territoire))(Les itali-
ques sont de nous.)

L'idéed'un plébiscite esttotalement étrangère àla question poséepar le
Conseil de sécurité auxfinsde l'avisconsultatif de la Cour. L'organisation
d'un plébiscite est unequestionpolitique quidoitêtretranchéepar I'Orga-
nisation des Nations Unies, soit à l'Assemblée générale, soaiut Conseilde

sécurité.Lepoint soulevépar l'Afrique du Sudpeut êtreécarté sommaire-
ment comme n'étantpas pertinent et ne rentrant pas dans le cadre de la
question à laquelle la Cour a étépriéede répondre. Les problèmes de la
non-annexion, de l'apartheid et de l'indépendance ne sont mêmepas
mentionnés comme pouvant faire l'objet d'un plébiscite.Il convient, bien
entendu, de rejeter la requêtetendant à ce que la Cour surveille l'accom-
plissement d'un acte politique qui serait du ressort de l'Assemblée
générale oudu Conseil de sécurité. LaCour a fort justement répondu
qu'elle ne saurait retenir cette proposition ». A ce sujet, je souscris tout

particulièrement àcette observation de la Cour:
I(La Cour ayant conclu qu'un complément de preuve n'est pas
nécessaire, qu'ila étévalablement mis fin au mandat, qu'en consé-

quencela présencedel'AfriqueduSud en Namibie est illégaleet que
toutes les mesures prises par elle au nom de la Namibie ou en ce
qui la concerne sont illégaleset nulles, elle ne saurait retenir cette
proposition. ))

Compte tenu desactes et des intentions de l'Afrique du Sud àl'égarddu
territoire de la Namibie, il est évidentqu'une telle requêten'a d'autre
objet que d'obtenir la reconnaissance d'une conquêted , 'une intégrationet
d'une annexion qui sont déjà choses faites. Le statut du Sud-Ouest
africain a donc étémodifiédefacto unilatéralement et illégalement.Il y
a vingt-cinq ans, une demande d'annexion, fondée sur les prétendus
résultatsd'un plébisciteque le maréchal Smuts avait soumis à 1'Assem-

bléegénérale,fut rejetée. Lamajorité des délégationsestimaient et ont
déclaréque l'esprit de la Charte ne trouverait une expression constructive
ni dans l'une ni dans l'autre des deux solutions proposéespar l'Union
sud-africaine :l'incorporation ou lemaintiendelasituation envigueursans

110 present situation without United Nations supervision. The proposal of
the Union of South Africa-it was said-would be a backward step that
might endanger the progressive tendencies of the Charter and the legiti-
.mate aspirations of half the population of the world in the non-self-
governing territories.

One of the main principles which informs and gives new spirit to an
international instrument like the Covenant, was the principle of non-
annexation, a noble idea to deter the military powers from taking advan-

tage of the war situation, or claiming, by right of conquest, sovereignty
and ownership over peoples and territories, formerly pawns in the colonial
system or the reward of victory or of superior strength.These new ideas
were intended to help in the organization of a new world order, in which
backward people, in al1continents, would have a chance to be free from
the former traditional chains of slavery, forced labour, and from being
the prey of greedy masters. Those noble ideas, principles and concepts,
embodied in the Covenant, were not born to have a precarious or
temporary existence, linked to the mortal fate of a particular forum or to
an international organization which could not be immune to change.
They wereintended to surviveand prevail to guide the political conduct of
governments and the moral behaviour of men. They were meant to
persist and endure nomatter what new social structures ofjuridical forms

might evolveand change through the passage oftime in this ever-changing
world. Nevertheless South Africa has in reality and to al1effectsannexed
as its own the Territory of Namibia. During the present proceedings, the
Government of South Africa, through its representative at the oral
hearings, has bluntly declared that its title to the mandated territory is
based on conquest and long occupation. This behaviour as well as the
refusal to render annual reports and to transmit petitions are sufficient
grounds for the revocation of the Mandate.

So is the racial discrimination practised as an officialpolicy in Namibia
with the enforcement there of the system of apartheid.Racial discrimi-
nation as a matter of officialgovernment policy is a violation of a norm or

rule or standard of the international community. A norm of non-discrimi-
nation of universal application has been drawn up independently of the
Mandate and governs Article 2.

This is a problem, therefore, of the proper recognition and evaluation
of human rights and the impact of their observance on the peace of the
world. The mandatories have the duty, not only to "promote to the
utmost the well-beingand development" of the peoples entrusted to their

111la surveillance des Nations Unies. On a dit à l'époqueque la proposition
de l'Union sud-africaine constituerait un pas en arrière pouvant mettre
en péril lestendances progressistes de la Charte et lesaspirations légitimes
de la moitié de lapopulation du monde, dans les territoires non auto-
nomes.

LE PRINCIPE DE NON-ANNEXION

L'un des grands principes qui a inspiré un instrument international
comme le Pacte et lui a donné un esprit nouveau est le principe de non-
annexion, noble idéedestinée à empêcherles puissances militaires de
profiter de la situation crééepar la guerre, de revendiquer par droit de
conquête la souveraineté ou la propriétéde peuples et de territoires
autrefois soumisau régime colonial ou detirer parti de leur victoire ou de
la supérioritéde leurs forces. Ces idées nouvelles devaientjouer un rôle
dans l'organisation d'un ordre mondial nouveau, qui permettrait aux
peuples arriérés detous les continents de s'affranchir des chaînes tradi-
tionnelles de l'esclavageet du travail forcéet de ne plus servir de proie

des maîtres avides. Ces idées, principeset notions d'une grande noblesse
que le Pacte consacrait, ne devaient pas vivre d'une existence précaireou
temporaire, ni dépendredu sort aléatoire d'un organisme particulier ou
d'une organisation internationale immuable. Ils devaient survivre et conti-
nuer à guider l'action politique des gouvernements et le comportement
moral des hommes. Ils devaient subsister et durer mêmesilesstructures
sociales et les formesjuridiques évoluaientet se modifiaient avec le temps
dans un monde en voie de perpétuelle transformation. Or, dans la
pratique, et àtous égards, l'Afriquedu Sud n'en a pas moins bel et bien
annexéle territoire de la Namibie. Au cours de la présente instance, le
Gouvernement sud-africain a déclarésansambages, par l'intermédiaire de
son représentant à la procédure orale,qu'il tenait de la conquêteetd'une

occupationprolongéeson titre sur leterritoire sous mandat. Cette attitude
tout comme le refus de communiquer des rapports annuels et de trans-
mettre des pétitions sont des motifs suffisants pour faire révoquer le
mandat.
Il en est de mêmede la discrimination raciale pratiquée sousla forme
d'une politique officielleen Namibie où est appliquéle régimede l'apart-
heid. Or, la discrimination raciale, en tant que politique officielle des
pouvoirs publics, constitue une violation de la norme, de la règleou du
«standard ))de la communauté internationale. Une norme de non-
discrimination universellement applicable a étéétablie indépendamment
du mandat et régit l'article.

La question qui se pose est donc celle de la reconnaissance et de l'éva-
luation des droits de l'homme et des conséquencesque leur respect peut
avoir pour la paix mondiale. Non seulement les mandataires ont le devoir
d'accroître ((par tous les moyens en [leur] pouvoir, le bien-être etlecare, but to do it by means and methods most likely to achieve that end,
and which do not by their very nature-as does apartheid-run contrary
to the intended goal. The Charter prescribes the roads which willlead to

it;those of non-discrimination and respect for human rights and funda-
mental freedoms, among other ways and means which will help the
peoples to overcome the hardships and strains of Ourtime.

The dissolution of the League was not the fcneral of the principlesand
obligations contained inthe Covenant andthe Mandate; they are alive and
wiilcontinue to be alive.No time-limit was or could be established for the
"sacred trust of civilization".
The counterpart of annexation was to place the territories under a
régimeadministered internationally. That was the purpose of the trustee-
ship system. South Africa should have been willingto negotiate with the
United Nations an agreement to that effect, as was contemplated by the
Charter. Paragraph 1 of Article 80 is not to be interpreted as giving
grounds for delay or postponement of such negotiations; paragraph 2 of
the same Article has no other purpose or meaning. South Africa dis-
regarded the obligation to negotiate and the repeated request of the
General Assembly to present a draft trusteeship agreement in respect of
South West Africa. As Judge De Visscher said in the caseconcerningthe
International Status of South West Africa :

"1concede that the provisions of Chapter XII of the Charter do
not impose on the Union of South Africa a legal obligation to
conclude a Trusteeship Agreement, in the sensethat the Union isfree
to accept or to refuse the particular terms of a draft agreement. On
the other hand, 1 consider that these provisions impose on the
Union of South Africa an obligation to take part in negotiations with
a view to concluding an agreement." (I.C.J. Reports 1950, p. 186.)

Thecharacter of the Mandateand the power of administration givento
the Mandatory by Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Mandate, has its foun-
dation in the reasoning and considerations stated in paragraphs 3 and 6
of Article 22 of the Covenant. Paragraph 6 contains the following
concepts :

"There are territories, such as South West Africa. .. which,
owing to the sparseness of their population. ..or their remoteness
from the centres of civilisation, or their geographical contiguity to
the territory of the Mandatory . ..can be best administered under
the laws of the Mandatory ...subject to the safeguards above
mentioned in the interests of ihe indigenous population." (Italics
added.)progrès »des peuples confiés à leurs soins mais encore ils doivent le faire
par les moyens et les méthodesqui permettent le mieux d'atteindre ce but
et qui, par leur nature même, nevont pas, comme c'est le cas de I'apart-
heid, à l'encontre de l'objectif recherché.La Charte indique les voies

par lesquelles on peut atteindre et objectif: la non-discrimination et le
respect des droits de l'homme et des libertésfondamentales sont parmi les
moyens qui aideront lespeuples à surmonter les difficultéset les épreuves
de notre temps.
La dissolution de la Sociétédes Nations n'a pas sonné le glas des
principeset des obligations énoncés dans le Pacte et lemandat; ilssont bien
vivants et le resteront. Aucun délai n'était ou ne pouvait êtrefixépour
l'accomplissement de la (mission sacréede civilisation ».
Au lieu d'êtreannexés, les territoires ont étéplacéssous un régime

d'administration internationale. C'était là l'objet du régimede tutelle.
L'Afrique du Sud aurait dû êtredisposée à négocieravec l'organisation
des Nations Unies un accord à cet effet, comme l'envisageait la Charte.
Leparagraphe 1de l'article 80 nedoit pas êtreinterprétécomme motivant
un retard ou un ajournement de la négociation :leparagraphe 2 du même
article n'a pas d'autre objet ni d'autre sens que celui-là. Mais l'Afrique
du Sud n'a pas tenu compte de I'obligation de négocieret n'a pas tenu
compte non plus de la requêtemaintes fois renouveléede l'Assemblée
généralelui demandant de présenter un projet d'accord de tutelle pour le

Sud-Ouestafricain. Comme l'a dit M. De Visscher dans l'affaire relative
au Statut internationaldu Sud-Ouest africain :
((J'admets que les dispositions d~i Chapitre XII de la Charte

n'imposent pas à l'Union sud-africaine I'obligation juridique de
conclure un accord de tutelle, en ce sens qu'elle est libre d'accepter
ou de refuser les termes particuliers d'un projet d'accord. Par contre,
j'estime que ces dispositions imposent à l'union l'obligation de se
prêter à des négociations en vue de la conclusion d'un accord. ))
(C.I.J. Recueil 1950,p. 186.)

La nature du mandat et les pouvoirs d'administration conférésau
mandataire dans le premier alinéade l'article 2 du mandat trouvaient leur
fondement dans les motifs et lesconsidérations indiqués au paragraphes 3
et 6 de l'article 22 du Pacte. Le paragraphe 6 énonçait:

((Enfin il y a des territoires, tels que le Sud-Ouest africain ...qui
par suite de la faible densité dela population ..de leur éloignement

des centres de civilisation, de leur contiguïté géographique au terri-
toire du Mandataire ...ne sauraient êtremieux administrés que
sous leslois du Mandataire ...sousréseriledes garantiesprévues plus
haut dans l'intérêt dlea population indigène. 1)(Les italiques sont de
nous.)Of no place in the world nowadays can one properly talk about "their
remoteness from the centres of civilization". Now al1 countries and
peoples everywhere are near and neighbours to each other. Isolation does
not really exist unless imposed by force. The sparseness of population is
becoming everywhere a thing of the past; the birth rate and the number
of people cannot be measured by the figures of 50 years ago. The earth has
become more than ever a melting-pot, crowded to overflowing and is
subject to the everlasting pressure and impact of dynamic cross-currents
of interchanging of peoples, cultures, ideas and reciprocal influences of
every conceivable kind. Much can be said also of the number, location
and identity of the "centres of civilization" whichthe framers of Article 22
of the Covenant had in mind.
Sothe discretion in the power of administration and legislation claimed
by the Mandatory was founded on reasons and circumstances which half
a century later have become and appear obsolete. They were intended

only to facilitate administration. (Art. 2(1) of the Mandateand Art. 22(6)
of the Covenant.) The exercise of such power was subject to the obli-
gations staeed in the Covenant and in the Mandate. (Art. 2 (2) ainong
others.) Obviously the power of administration and legislation could not
be legitimately exercised by methods like apartheid which run contrary to
the aims, principles and obligations stated in Article 22 of the Covenant,
especially in paragraphs 1, 2 and 6. Nor could be exercised today in
violation of the provisions of the United Nations Charter, particularly-
among others-those regarding respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, or the prohibition of discrimination on account of race or
colour. The arbitrary assertion that apartheid is the only alternative to
chaos, and that the peoples of South West Africa are incapable of
constituting a political unity and being governed as a singleStateoes not
justify the official policy of discrimination based on race, colour or
membership in a tribal group.

Paragraph 3 of Article 22 of the Covenant did not presuppose a static
condition for the peoples of the territories. Their stage of development had
to be transitory, and therefore the character of the Mandate, even of a
given mandate, could not be conceived as a static and frozen one; it had
to differ as the development of the people changed or passed from one
stage to another. Are the people of South West Africa in the same stage of
development as 50 years ago? Are the economic conditions of the Terri-
tory the same? Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Mandate States:

"The Mandatory shall promote to the utmost the material and
moral well-being and the social progress of the inhabitants of the
territory subject to the present Mandate."
Even ifthe geographical situation isto be considered from the aspect of its NAMIBIE (S.-O. AFRICAIN ()P. IND. PADILLA NERVO) 125

On ne saurait dire aujourd'hui d'aucun endroit du monde qu'il soit
éloigné((des centres de civilisation 11.Tous les pays et tous les peuples
où qu'ils se trouvent sont proches et voisins les uns des autres. En fait

l'isolement n'existe que s'il est imposé par la force. La faible densité de la
population est devenue partout un vestige du passé; le taux de natalité et
le nombre d'habitants ne correspondent plus à ce qu'ils étaient il y a
cinq~ianteans. La terre est plus que jamais devenue un creuset rempli àras-
bord et soumis aux pressions et aux chocs continuels des courants et

contre-courants dynamiques créés par leséchangesde peuples, de cultures,
d'idéeset d'influences de toutes sortes. Ily aurait beaucoup à dire aussi
sur le nombre, l'emplacement et l'identité des ((centresde civilisation )1
auquels songeaient les auteursde I'article 22 du Pacte.

Ainsi, les pouvoirs discrétionnaires d'administration et de législation
invoquéspar le mandataire résultaient de raisons et de conditionsqui, un
demi-siècleplus tard, sont devenues et paraissent dépassées.Ces pouvoirs
n'étaient destinésqu'à faciliter l'administration (mandat, art. 2, le' al. et
Pacte, art. 22, par.). Leur exercice était soumis aux obligations stipulées

dans le Pacte et dans le mandat et notamment au deuxième alinéa de
l'article 2 du mandat. II est évidentque les pouvoirs d'administration et
de législation nepouvaient êtreIégitinîement exercéspar des méthodes
comme l'apartheid qui sont contraires aux buts, aux principes et aux

obligations énoncés dans l'article 22 du Pacte, et plus particulièrement
aux paragraphes 1, 2 et 6. Ils ne peuvent pas non plus êtreexercésau-
jourd'hui en violation des dispositions de la Charte des Nations Unies,
et notamment de celles qui concernent le respect des droits de l'homme
et des libertésfondamentales ou l'interdiction d'établir une discrimination

à raison de la race ou de la couleur. Proclamer arbitrairement aue I'auart-
heid est le seul moyen d'éviterle chaos et que les peuples du Sud-Ouest
africain ne peuvent constituer une unité politique et êtregouvernéscom-
me un seul Etat ne justifie pas la politique officielle de discrimination
fondée sur la race, la couleur ou l'appartenance à un groupe tribal.

Le paragraphe 3 de I'article 22 du Pacte ne présupposait pas I'immobi-
lisme chez les peuples des territoires. Ils devaient passer par des étapes
transitoires de développement et ilétait en conséquence inconcevable
que le mandat ou mêmeun mandat déterminéeussent un caractère

statiaue et immuable: une transformation devait nécessairement se
produire à mesure que les peuples évoluaient ou passaient d'un stade de
développement à un autre. Les peuples du Sud-Ouest africain en sont-ils
au mêmestade de développement qu'il y a cinquante ans? La situation
économiquedu territoire est-elle la même?Le deuxième alinéade I'article

2 du mandat stipule:
((Le Mandataire accroîtra par tous les moyens en son pouvoir le

bien-êtrematériel et moral ainsi que le progrès social des habitants
du territoire soumis au présentMandat. 11

Mêmeen considérant la situation géographique sous l'angle de l'éloigne-126 NAMlBIA (s.w. AFRICA()SEP.OP. PADILLA NERVO)

remoteness from centres of civilization, and remoteness being a relative
term, can it be said that South West Africa is now as remote from centres
of civilization ast was 50 years ago?
The relentless will of self-assertion in search of new horizons has
created new conditions where freedom and social justice could flourish;
sometimes a new order has been established through violent and dramatic
struggles, sometimes by peaceful processes of collective parliamentary
action in national and international forums. This struggle has created
conditions, principles,rules and standards of international behaviour,
which have found expression in the works of thinkers, writers and

philosophers. "Equality before the law", or in the words of the Charter:
"International CO-operation in the promotion and respect of human
rights and fundamental freedoms for al1without distinction as to ra. ."

This fundamental resolve will inspire the vision and the conduct of
peoples the world over, until the goal of self-determination and in-
dependence is reached, and such ideas and hopes are kept in the human
mind, "until [in the words of Lincoln] in due time the weights should be
lifted from the shoulders ofl1men, and al1should have an equal chance".

(Signed) Luis PADILLA NERVO.ment par rapport aux centres de civilisation, l'éloignementétant une
notion toute relative, peut-on dire que le Sud-Ouest africain est mainte-

nant aussi éloigné des centresde civilisation qu'ily a cinquante ans?
Par la détermination inébranlable avec laquelle il cherche, pour
s'affirmer,à élargir ses horizons, l'homme a créé unmonde nouveau
propice à l'épanouissementde la liberté et de la justice sociale; parfois,
cet ordre nouveau s'est imposéau terme de luttes violentes et tragiques,
d'autres foisil est nédans la paix, grâceà l'action collective d'instances,
nationales et internationales. Ces luttes ont créé uncadre, des principes,
des règles et des ((standards » de comportement international dont on

trouve l'expression chez les penseurs, les écrivains,les philosophes. On
parle de l'((égalitdevant la loi ))ou, pour employer les termes de la
Charte, de «coopération internationale » en vue de développeret d'encou-
rager le ((respect des droits de l'homme et des libertésfondamentales
pour tous, sansdistinction de race...)).
Cette conception fondamentale inspirera la façon de voir et le com-
portement des peuples du monde entierjusqu'à ce que l'objectif d'auto-
détermination et d'indépendance soitatteint et l'homme gardera présent

à l'esprit cet idéalet cet espoir jusqu'à ce que, comme l'a dit Lincoln, le
moment venu, il ne porte plus de joug sur les épauleset qu'enfin les
chances soient les mêmespour tous.

(SignéL )uis PADILLN AERVO.

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Separate Opinion of Judge Padilla Nervo

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