The Legal Significance of the Declarations of the General Assembly of the United Nations

I Declarations and the Development of International Law.- 1. The Nature of the Declarations.- A. Introduction.- B. Categories and Relative Distinctions.- C. General Views on the Significance of Declarations.- 2. Significance of Declarations in Relation to Specific Powers of the Assembly under the Charter.- 3. Significance of Declarations as Interpretation and Application of International Law.- 4. Declarations as Subsequent Practice and as Aid in the Judicial Interpretation of the Charter.- 5. Declarations as Evidence of Custom or General Principles of International Law.- A. Introduction.- B. Declarations as a Source of Customary International Law.- i. Declarations as Evidence of Custom.- ii. Declarations as State Practice.- iii. Role of Declarations in Originating State Practice.- C. Declarations as Evidence of General Principles of Law Recognized by Civilized Nations.- 6. Declarations as Agreements Within the United Nations System.- 7. Factors Affecting the Significance of Declarations.- A. Intention.- B. Consensus.- C. The Role of Law in Decision-Making.- D. Realism.- II Declarations Which Purport to State Existing Principles of International Law.- 1. Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Wealth and Resources.- A. Introduction.- B. The Nature of the Concept.- C. Limitations on Sovereignty over Natural Wealth and Resources.- i. The Sanctity of Agreement.- ii. Doctrine of Acquired Right.- iii. The Taking of Propert.- D. Payment of Compensation.- E. Settlement of Disputes and Resort to National Jurisdiction.- F. Conclusion.- 2. The Declaration on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons.- A. Introduction.- B. Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons.- C. The Relevance of the Distinction Between Combatants and Non-combatants to the Use of Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons.- D. Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons and Specific Conventional Limitations on the Use of Force.- E. Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons and the United Nations Charter.- F. Suggested Exceptions to the Illegality of the Use of Nuclear and Thermo-Nuclear Weapons.- G. The Legal Significance of the Declaration.- 3. The Resolution Affirming Principles of International Law embodied in the Charter of the Nurnberg Tribunal.- A. Introduction.- B. Affirmation of the Nurnberg Principles by the Assembly.- C. Formulation of Nurnberg Principles by the International Law Commission.- D. The Legal Significance of the Affirmation of the Nurnberg Principles by the Assembly.- III Declarations Which Purport to Create New Principles of International Law.- 1. Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space.- A. Introduction.- B. Outer Space as Res Communis Omnium Extra Commercium.- i. Principle that Outer Space is Free for Exploration and Use by All States and the Prohibition of National Appropi-ation.- ii. Limitations upon Freedom of Exploration and Use.- C. The Principle of Consultation.- D. The Application of International Law and the Charter to Outer Space.- E. The Responsibility of States for National Activities in Outer Space.- F. Jurisdiction and Control of Objects Launched into Outer Space.- G. Re-entry and landing of Space Vehicles — Return of Astronauts and Vehicles.- H. Liability for Injury or Damage Caused by Space Vehicles.- I. The Legal Significance of Outer Space Resolutions.- IV Declarations Intended to Promote Specific Charter Programs.- 1. The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.- A. Introduction.- B. The Principle of Self-Determination and the Right of All Peoples to Immediate Independence.- C. The Illegality of the Subjection of Peoples to Alien Subju-jugation, Domination and Exploitation.- D. The Right to Territorial Integrity.- E. Reaffirmation of the Competence of the United Nations.- F. Duty to Observe Faithfully the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Present Declaration.- G. The Legal Significance of the Declaration.- 2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.- A. The History and Content of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.- B. The Legal Significance of the Declaration.- 3. The Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.- A. Introduction.- B. Bases and Objectives of the Declaration.- C. Proscription of Racial Discrimination in the Enjoyment of Human Rights.- D. National and International Measures to Eliminate Discrimination.- E. Opinions on the Legal Significance of the Declaration.- F. The Practice of the UN in the Matter of Racial Discrimination.- i. Question of Apartheid in South Africa.- ii. Discrimination in Non-Self- Governing Territories.- G. Conclusion.- 4. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child.- A. Introduction.- B. Subjects of the Declaration.- C. The Enjoyment of Special Protection.- D. Rights to Name and Nationality, Education, Social Security and Emotional Security.- E. Responsibility for Implementing the Declaration.- F. The Legal Significance of the Declaration.- V Significance of Declarations in the Practice of States and of International Organizations.- 1. Significance of Declarations in the Practice of States.- A. Introduction.- B. The Role of Resolutions in National Judicial Decisions.- C. Incorporation of Resolutions into Municipal Law by Legislation.- D. Resolutions as Basis for International Conventions.- 2. Significance of Declarations in International Organizations.- A. General.- B. Invocation in the United Nations’ Political Organs.- C. Invocation in the United Nations Administrative Tribunal.- D. Significance in Specialized Agencies.- E. Significance in Regional Organizations.- Conclusion.