Appointment of an Impartial International Commission Under United Nations Supervision to Carry Out a Simultaneous Investigation in the Federal Republic of Germany, in Berlin and in the Soviet Zone of Germany in Order to Determine Whether Existing Conditions There Make It Possible to Hold Genuinely Free Elections Throughout These Areas
Considers it desirable to give effect to the above request;
2
Resolves to appoint a Commission composed of representatives of Brazil, Iceland, the Netherlands. Pakistan and Poland which shall carry out immediately a simultaneous investigation in the Federal Republic of Germany, in Berlin, and in the Soviet Zone of Germany to ascertain and report whether conditions in these areas are such as to make possible the holding of genuinely free and secret elections throughout these areas. The Commission shall investigate the following matters in so far as they affect the holding of free elections:
a
The co~itutional provisions in force in these areas and their application as regards the various aspects of individual freedom, in particular the degree to which, in practice, the individual enjoys freedom of movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom of association and assembly, freedom of speech, press and broadcasting;
( b) Freedom of political parties to organize and carry out their activities;
'Ibid., agenda item 65, document A/1938.
'Ibid., Ad Hoe Political Committee, 18th and 20th meetings.
c
The organization and activities of the j,udiciary, police and other administrative organs;
Calls upon all authorities in the Federal Republic, in Berlin, and in the Soviet Zone to enable the Commission to travel freely throughout these areas; anc to allow the Commission freedom of access to such persons, places and relevant documents as it considers necessary in the course of executing its task and to allow it to summon any witnesses whom it wishes to examine;
4
(a)
Directs the Commission to report at the earliest practicable date to the Secretary-General, for the consideration of the four Powers and for the information of the other Members of the United Nations, on the results of its efforts to make the necessary arrangements with all the parties concerned to enable it to undertake its work according to the terms of the present resolution;
( b) Directs the Commission, if it is able to make the necessary arrangements throughout the areas concerned, similarly to report on the findings resulting from its investigation of conditions in these areas, it being understood that such findings may include recommendations regarding further steps which might be taken in order to bring about conditions in Germany necessary for the holding of free elections in these areas;
( c) Directs the Commission, if it is unable forthwith to make these arrangements, to make a further attempt to carry out its task at such time as it is satisfied that the German authorities in the Federal Republic, in Berlin, and in the Soviet Zone will admit the Commission, as it is desirable to leave the door open for the Commission to carry out its task;
( d) Directs the Commission in any event to report, not later than l September 1952, on the results of its activities to the Secretary-General, for the consideration of the four Powers and for the information of the other Members of the United Nations;
5
Declares that the United Nations is prepared, after being satisfied that the conditions throughout the areas concerned are such as to make possible the holding of genuinely free and secret elections, to offer its assistance in order to guarantee the freedom of the elections;
6
Requeststhe Secretary-General to furnish the Commission with the neccs~ary staff and facilities.
20 December 1951.
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