United Nations Security Council Resolution 39 – The India-Pakistan Question

39 (1948). Resolution of 20 January 1948

The Security Council,

Considering that it may investigate any dispute or any situation which might, by its continuance, endanger the maintenance of international peace and security and that, in the existing state of affairs between India and Pakistan, such an investigation is a matter of urgency,

Adopts the following resolution :

A. A Commission of the Security Council is hereby established, composed of representatives of three Mem-bers of the United Nations, one to be selected by India, one to be selected by Pakistan, and the third to be designated by the two so selected. 3 Each representative on the Commission shall be entitled to select his alternates and assistants.

B. The Commission shall proceed to the spot as quickly as possible. It shall act under the authority of the Security Council and in accordance with the directions it may receive from it. It shall keep the Security Council currently informed of its activities and of the development of the situation. It shall report to the Security Council regularly, submitting its conclusions and proposals.

C. The Commission is invested with a dual func-tion: (1) to investigate the facts pursuant to Article 34 of the Charter of the United Nations ; (2) to exercise, without interrupting the work of the Security Council, any mediatory influence likely to smooth away diffi-culties ; to carry out the directions given to it by the Security Council ; and to report how far the advice and directions, if any, of the Security Council have been carried out.

D. The Commission shall perform the functions described in clause C : ( 1) in regard to the situation in the J ammu and Kashmir State set out in the letter ‘of the representative of India addressed to the Presi-dent of the Security Council, dated 1 January 1948,4 and in the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan addressed to the Secretary-General, dated 15 January 1948 ; 5 and (2) in regard to other situa-tions set out in the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan addressed to the Secretary-General, dated 15 January 1948, when the Security Council so directs.

E. The Commission shall take its decision by majority vote. It shall determine its own procedure. It may allocate among its members, alternate members, their assistants, and its personnel such duties as may have to be fulfilled for the realization of its mission and the reaching of its conclusions.

F. The Commission, its members, alternate members, their assistants, and its personnel shall be entitled to journey, separately or together, wherever the necessities of their tasks may require, and, in par-ticular, within those territories which are the theatre of the events of which the Security Council is seized.

G. The Secretary-General shall furnish the Commission with such personnel and assistance as it may consider necessary.

Adopted at the 230th meeting by 9 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).