Ten Frequently Asked Questions on the United Nations and Decolonization

The role of the United Nations in decolonization is based on the principle of “equal rights and self-determination of peoples” as provided for in Article 1 (2) of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as from three specific chapters in the Charter which are devoted to the interests of dependent peoples. Chapter XI of the Charter established the principles that guide Member States in their relations with the Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs). The Charter also established the International Trusteeship System in Chapter XII and the Trusteeship Council in Chapter XIII for the administration and supervision of the Trust Territories.