TNAG-1151-FCO40-1431-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1983 — Page 62

DSR 11C

EXACA

UND

21.

SATD.

An independent Namibia will mean that South Africa

has finally recognised the Namibian people's right to

self-determination. Such recognition might, we hope,

be a forerunner of further progress within South Africa

itself. As a member of the United Nations, Britain has

a duty to promote and encourage the enjoyment of

fundamental freedoms by all without distinction as to

race, sex, language or religion. And while we accept

that the UN Charter does not permit intervention in

matters which are essentially within the domestic

jurisdiction of any state we cannot remain indifferent

to any systematic denial of human rights wherever it

may occur, especially when the result is to pose a

threat to stability and peace.

22. There are many other problems I could dwell on.

But I have said enough to demonstrate that peace can

only be achieved if each and every member of the

international community respects the principles of the

United Nations. The United Nations itself has a duty

and a responsibility to be worthy of that respect by

remembering at all times that it is an organisation

designed to preserve the peace. To use it as a forum

for ideological debate or to give the impression that

it is in any way biased or partial is to undermine the

respect in which the UN will be held and to diminish

its capacity to contribute to the maintenance of

peace.