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Sovereign Law Series

“Declaration on Principles of International
Law Concerning Friendly Relations and
Cooperation Among States” of 1970


Short-Form Reference:

1970 “Declaration on Law of Cooperation of States”

In-Line Micro Reference:

1970 “Law of Cooperation of States”

Ratification / Registration:

UN-GA Res. 2625 (XXV) (24 Oct 1970)


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Introductory Notes by the Independent Judiciary

Download Sovereign Law Series – This “Sovereign Law Series” is presented by the
Sovereign Court of International Justice (SCIJ), as a proprietary system for standardized
reference and effective use of international law sources. It provides primary sources
of the modern framework of “conventional international law”, which contains
provisions to invoke “customary international law” which is the “Common Law”.
Download the “Intro & Index” (with links to all documents in the collection) here:

Introduction & Index

Independence from the UN – The United Nations (UN) is not a “world government”,
and has no authority for any type of “global governance”: The UN is prohibited to
interfere with self-determination of peoples or sovereignty of States (UN Charter,
Articles 1.2, 2.1, 2.7), and is liable for any of its own violations of international law and
rights (2012 Declaration on Rule of Law, Article 2). The UN is not a “world
parliament”, and has no authority to enact any form of “legislation”: The UN General
Assembly (GA) is only a forum for States to codify and declare general recognition of
rights and doctrines of international law (UN Charter, Article 13.1).

Reclaiming Law and Rights – The UN has no authority to “own” or “control”
international law: All the conventions actually belong to the Peoples of the Nations,
and the UN is only authorized to register and publish them (1969 Law of Treaties,
Articles 1(e), 76.1, 80; UN Charter, Article 102). Once a convention recognizes “rights”,
those “may not be revoked or modified” (1969 Law of Treaties, Articles 36.1, 37.2),
and “become binding upon” all States as “customary rules of international law” which
are “recognized” by that convention (Article 38). Therefore, all law and rights
evidenced in conventions belong to the People, and can be invoked by the People and
enforced by the Independent Judiciary, in perpetuity.

Words of Rights in Red – Operative words and phrases most effective for invoking and
enforcing Rights, which are the most used by Barristers and Judges, are printed in Red
font for ease of visual reference. Some key words may be underlined for emphasis.

Commentary in Green – [Expert commentary from Barristers and Judges may be
added in Green font, in Brackets, to guide effective use to assert and enforce rights.]



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Official Text of this Law Source as Ratified

Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning
Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States

Preamble

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming in the terms of the Charter of the United Nations that the maintenance of
international peace and security and the development of friendly relations and
cooperation between nations are among the fundamental purposes of the United
Nations;

Recalling that the peoples of the United Nations are determined to practise tolerance
and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours;

Bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace
founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights
and of developing friendly relations among nations irrespective of their political,
economic and social systems or the levels of their development;

Bearing in mind also the paramount importance of the Charter of the United Nations
in the promotion of the rule of law among nations;

Considering that the faithful observance of the principles of international law
concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States and the fulfillment in
good faith of the obligations assumed by States, in accordance with the Charter, is of
the greatest importance for the maintenance of international peace and security and
for the implementation of the other purposes of the United Nations;

Noting that the great political, economic and social changes and scientific progress
which have taken place in the world since the adoption of the Charter give increased
importance to these principles and to the need for their more effective application in
the conduct of States wherever carried on;

Recalling the established principle that outer space, including the Moon and other
celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by
means of use or occupation, or by any other means, and mindful of the fact that
consideration is being given in the United Nations to the question of establishing other
appropriate provisions similarly inspired;
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Convinced that the strict observance by States of the obligation not to intervene in the
affairs of any other State is an essential condition to ensure that nations live together
in peace with one another, since the practice of any form of intervention not only
violates the spirit and letter of the Charter, but also leads to the creation of situations
which threaten international peace and security;

Recalling the duty of States to refrain in their international relations from military,
political, economic or any other form of coercion aimed against the political
independence or territorial integrity of any State;

Considering it essential that all States shall refrain in their international relations from
the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of
any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United
Nations;

Considering it equally essential that all States shall settle their international disputes
by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter;

Reaffirming, in accordance with the Charter, the basic importance of sovereign
equality and stressing that the purposes of the United Nations can be implemented
only if States enjoy sovereign equality and comply fully with the requirements of this
principle in their international relations;

Convinced that the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and
exploitation constitutes a major obstacle to the promotion of international peace and
security;

Convinced that the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples
constitutes a significant contribution to contemporary international law, and that its
effective application is of paramount importance for the promotion of friendly
relations among States, based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality;

Convinced in consequence that any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of
the national unity and territorial integrity of a State or country or at its political
independence is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter;

Considering the provisions of the Charter as a whole and taking into account the role
of relevant resolutions adopted by the competent organs of the United Nations
relating to the content of the principles;

Considering that the progressive development and codification of the following
principles:
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(a)
The principle that States shall refrain in their international relations from the
threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any
State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations,

(b)
The principle that States shall settle their international disputes by peaceful
means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not
endangered,

(c)
The duty not to intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any
State, in accordance with the Charter,

(d)
The duty of States to cooperate with one another in accordance with the
Charter,

(e)
The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,

(f)
The principle of sovereign equality of States,

(g)
The principle that States shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by
them in accordance with the Charter,

so as to secure their more effective application within the international community,
would promote the realization of the purposes of the United Nations;

Having considered the principles of international law relating to friendly relations and
cooperation among States;


[SEVEN PRINCIPLES]

1.
Solemnly proclaims the following principles:

[1st Principle]

The principle that States shall refrain in their international relations
from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or
political independence of any State, or in any other manner
inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations

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Every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use
of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any
other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. Such a threat or
use of force constitutes a violation of international law and the Charter of the United
Nations and shall never be employed as a means of settling international issues.

A war of aggression constitutes a crime against the peace, for which there is
responsibility under international law.

In accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, States have the
duty to refrain from propaganda for wars of aggression.

Every State has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate the
existing international boundaries of another State or as a means of solving
international disputes, including territorial disputes and problems concerning frontiers
of States.

Every State likewise has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate
international lines of demarcation, such as armistice lines, established by or pursuant
to an international agreement to which it is a party or which it is otherwise bound to
respect. Nothing in the foregoing shall be construed as prejudicing the positions of
the parties concerned with regard to the status and effects of such lines under their
special regimes or as affecting their temporary character.

States have a duty to refrain from acts of reprisal involving the use of force.

Every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples
referred to in the elaboration of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of
their right to self-determination and freedom and independence.

Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing or encouraging the organization of
irregular forces or armed bands, including mercenaries, for incursion into the territory
of another State.

Every State has the duty to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or
participating in acts of civil strife or terrorist acts in another State or acquiescing in
organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts,
when the acts referred to in the present paragraph involve a threat or use of force.

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The territory of a State shall not be the object of military occupation resulting from the
use of force in contravention of the provisions of the Charter. The territory of a State
shall not be the object of acquisition by another State resulting from the threat or use
of force. No territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be
recognized as legal. Nothing in the foregoing shall be construed as affecting:

(a)
Provisions of the Charter or any international agreement prior to the Charter
regime and valid under international law; or

(b)
The powers of the Security Council under the Charter.

All States shall pursue in good faith negotiations for the early conclusion of a universal
treaty on general and complete disarmament under effective international control and
strive to adopt appropriate measures to reduce international tensions and strengthen
confidence among States.

All States shall comply in good faith with their obligations under the generally
recognized principles and rules of international law with respect to the maintenance of
international peace and security, and shall endeavour to make the United Nations
security system based on the Charter more effective.

Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as enlarging or diminishing in
any way the scope of the provisions of the Charter concerning cases in which the use
of force is lawful.


[2nd Principle]

The principle that States shall settle their International disputes
by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace
and security and justice are not endangered

Every State shall settle its international disputes with other States by peaceful means
in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not
endangered.

States shall accordingly seek early and just settlement of their international disputes
by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort
to regional agencies or arrangements or other peaceful means of their choice. In
seeking such a settlement the parties shall agree upon such peaceful means as may be
appropriate to the circumstances and nature of the dispute.

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The parties to a dispute have the duty, in the event of failure to reach a solution by
any one of the above peaceful means, to continue to seek a settlement of the dispute
by other peaceful means agreed upon by them.

States parties to an international dispute, as well as other States, shall refrain from any
action which may aggravate the situation so as to endanger the maintenance of
international peace and security, and shall act in accordance with the purposes and
principles of the United Nations.

International disputes shall be settled on the basis of the sovereign equality of States
and in accordance with the principle of free choice of means. Recourse to, or
acceptance of, a settlement procedure freely agreed to by States with regard to
existing or future disputes to which they are parties shall not be regarded as
incompatible with sovereign equality.

Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs prejudices or derogates from the applicable
provisions of the Charter, in particular those relating to the pacific settlement of
international disputes.


[3rd Principle]

The principle concerning the duty not to intervene
in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any State,
in accordance with the Charter

No State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any
reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs of any other State. Consequently,
armed intervention and all other forms of interference or attempted threats against
the personality of the State or against its political, economic and cultural elements, are
in violation of international law.

No State may use or encourage the use of economic, political or any other type of
measures to coerce another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the
exercise of its sovereign rights and to secure from it advantages of any kind. Also, no
State shall organize, assist, foment, finance, incite or tolerate subversive, terrorist or
armed activities directed towards the violent overthrow of the regime of another
State, or interfere in civil strife in another State.

The use of force to deprive peoples of their national identity constitutes a violation of
their inalienable rights and of the principle of non-intervention.

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Every State has an inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural
systems, without interference in any form by another State.

Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as affecting the relevant
provisions of the Charter relating to the maintenance of international peace and
security.


[4th Principle]

The duty of States to cooperate with one another
in accordance with the Charter

States have the duty to cooperate with one another, irrespective of the differences in
their political, economic and social systems, in the various spheres of international
relations, in order to maintain international peace and security and to promote
international economic stability and progress, the general welfare of nations and
international cooperation free from discrimination based on such differences.

To this end:

(a)
States shall cooperate with other States in the maintenance of international
peace and security;

(b)
States shall cooperate in the promotion of universal respect for, and observance
of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and in the elimination of all forms
of racial discrimination and all forms of religious intolerance;

(c)
States shall conduct their international relations in the economic, social,
cultural, technical and trade fields in accordance with the principles of sovereign
equality and non-intervention;

(d)
States Members of the United Nations have the duty to take joint and separate
action in cooperation with the United Nations in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Charter.

States should cooperate in the economic, social and cultural fields as well as in the
field of science and technology and for the promotion of international cultural and
educational progress. States should cooperate in the promotion of economic growth
throughout the world, especially that of the developing countries.



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[5th Principle]

The principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples

By virtue of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples enshrined
in the Charter of the United Nations, all peoples have the right freely to determine,
without external interference, their political status and to pursue their economic,
social and cultural development, and every State has the duty to respect this right in
accordance with the provisions of the Charter.

Every State has the duty to promote, through joint and separate action, realization of
the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, in accordance with the
provisions of the Charter, and to render assistance to the United Nations in carrying
out the responsibilities entrusted to it by the Charter regarding the implementation of
the principle, in order:

(a)
To promote friendly relations and cooperation among States; and

(b)
To bring a speedy end to colonialism, having due regard to the freely expressed
will of the peoples concerned;

and bearing in mind that subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and
exploitation constitutes a violation of the principle, as well as a denial of fundamental
human rights, and is contrary to the Charter.

Every State has the duty to promote through joint and separate action universal
respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance
with the Charter.

The establishment of a sovereign and independent State, the free association or
integration with an independent State or the emergence into any other political status
freely determined by a people constitute modes of implementing the right of self-
determination by that people.

Every State bas the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples
referred to above in the elaboration of the present principle of their right to self-
determination and freedom and independence. In their actions against, and
resistance to, such forcible action in pursuit of the exercise of their right to self-
determination, such peoples are entitled to seek and to receive support in accordance
with the purposes and principles of the Charter.

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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; and such
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.

Nothing in the foregoing paragraphs shall be construed as authorizing or encouraging
any action which would dismember or impair, totally or in part, the territorial integrity
or political unity of sovereign and independent States conducting themselves in
compliance with the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples as
described above and thus possessed of a government representing the whole people
belonging to the territory without distinction as to race, creed or colour.

Every State shall refrain from any action aimed at the partial or total disruption of the
national unity and territorial integrity of any other State or country.


[6th Principle]

The principle of sovereign equality of States

All States enjoy sovereign equality. They have equal rights and duties and are equal
members of the international community, notwithstanding differences of an
economic, social, political or other nature.

In particular, sovereign equality includes the following elements:

(a)
States are juridically equal;

(b)
Each State enjoys the rights inherent in full sovereignty;

(c)
Each State has the duty to respect the personality of other States;

(d)
The territorial integrity and political independence of the State are inviolable;

(e)
Each State has the right freely to choose and develop its political, social,
economic and cultural systems;

(f)
Each State has the duty to comply fully and in good faith with its international
obligations and to live in peace with other States.



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[7th Principle]

The principle that States shall fulfill in good faith the obligations
assumed by them in accordance with the Charter

Every State has the duty to fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by it in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Every State has the duty to fulfill in good faith its obligations under the generally
recognized principles and rules of international law.

Every State has the duty to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international
agreements valid under the generally recognized principles and rules of international
law.

Where obligations arising under international agreements are in conflict with the
obligations of Members of the United Nations under the Charter of the United
Nations, the obligations under the Charter shall prevail.


GENERAL PART

2.
Declares that:

In their interpretation and application the above principles are interrelated and each
principle should be construed in the context of the other principles.

Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as prejudicing in any manner the
provisions of the Charter or the rights and duties of Member States under the Charter
or the rights of peoples under the Charter, taking into account the elaboration of these
rights in this Declaration.

3.
Declares further that:

The principles of the Charter which are embodied in this Declaration constitute basic
principles of international law, and consequently appeals to all States to be guided by
these principles in their international conduct and to develop their mutual relations on
the basis of the strict observance of these principles.