Recognizing that full observance of the principle of the non-intervention of States in
the internal and external affairs of other States is essential to the fulfilment of the
purposes and principles of the United Nations,
Considering that armed intervention is synonymous with aggression and, as such, is
contrary to the basic principles on which peaceful international cooperation between
States should be built,
Considering further that direct intervention, subversion and all forms of indirect
intervention are contrary to these principles and, consequently, constitute a violation of
the Charter of the United Nations,
Mindful that violation of the principle of non-intervention poses a threat to the
independence, freedom and normal political, economic, social and cultural development
of countries, particularly those which have freed themselves from colonialism, and can
pose a serious threat to the maintenance of peace,
Fully aware of the imperative need to create appropriate conditions which would
enable all States, and in particular the developing countries, to choose without duress or
coercion their own political, economic and social institutions,
In the light of the foregoing considerations, solemnly declares:
1. No State 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 condemned.
2. 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 or 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.
3. 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.
4. The strict observance of these obligations 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 of the United Nations
but also leads to the creation of situations which threaten international peace and
security.
5. Every State has an inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and
cultural systems, without interference in any form by another State.
6. All States shall respect the right of self-determination and independence of
peoples and nations, to be freely exercised without any foreign pressure, and with
absolute respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Consequently, all States
shall contribute to the complete elimination of racial discrimination and colonialism in
all its forms and manifestations.
7. For the purpose of the present Declaration, the term "State" covers both individual
States and groups of States.
8. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as affecting in any manner the
relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations relating to the maintenance of