Purpose: The purposes of the Organization of American States, set forth in Article 2 of the revised Charter, are as follows:

(a) to strengthen the peace and security of the continent;

(b) to prevent possible causes of difficulties and to insure the pacific settlement of disputes that may arise among the member states;

(c) to provide for common action on the part of those states in the event of aggression;

(d) to seek the solution of political, juridical, and economic problems that may arise among them; and

(e) to promote, by cooperative action, their economic, social, and cultural development.

Initial Date of U.S. Participation: 1899.

Current Authority for U.S. Participation: Charter of the Organization of American States, April 30, 1948, 2 UST 2394, TIAS 2361. Membership (1972):

The presert government of Cuba was excluded from participation in the Inter-American system at the Eighth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Punta del Este, Uruguay, January 1962. NOTE.-For a listing of treaties with the OAS see Pt. VIII, Treaties in Force.

B. CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN

1

STATES 1

Signed at the Ninth International Conference of American States, Bogotá, Colombia, March 30 to May 2, 1948

In the name of their Peoples, the States represented at the Ninth International Conference of American States,

Convinced that the historic mission of America is to offer to man a land of liberty, and a favorable environment for the development of his personality and the realization of his just aspirations;

Conscious that that mission has already inspired numerous agreements, whose essential value lies in the desire of the American peoples to live together in peace, and, through their mutual understanding and respect for the sovereignty of each one, to provide for the betterment of all, in independence, in equality and under law;

Confident that the true significance of American solidarity and good neighborliness can only mean the consolidation on this continent, within the framework of democratic institutions, of a system of individual liberty and social justice based on respect for the essential rights of man;

Persuaded that their welfare and their contribution to the progress and the civilization of the world will increasingly require intensive continental cooperation;

Resolved to persevere in the noble undertaking that humanity has conferred upon the United Nations, whose principles and purposes they solemnly reaffirm;

Convinced that juridical organization is a necessary condition for security and peace founded on moral order and on justice; and

In accordance with Resolution IX of the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace, held at Mexico City, have agreed upon the following:

PART ONE

CHAPTER I. NATURE AND PURPOSES

ARTICLE 1

The American States established by this Charter the international organization that they have developed to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and their independence. Within the United Nations, the Organization of American States is a regional agency.

As amended by the Protocol of Amendment to the Charter of the Organization of American States, "Protocol of Buenos Aires," signed at the Third Special Inter-American Conference, Buenos Aires, 1967. Entered into force on February 27, 1970 [TIAS 6847, 21 UST 607].

ARTICLE 2

The Organization of American States, in order to put into practice the principles on which it is founded and to fulfill its regional obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, proclaims the following essential purposes:

(a) To strengthen the peace and security of the continent;

(b) To prevent possible causes of difficulties and to ensure the pacific settlement of disputes that may arise among the Member States;

(c) To provide for common action on the part of those States in the event of aggression;

(d) To seek the solution of political, juridical and economic problems that may arise among them; and

(e) To promote, by cooperative action, their economic, social and cultural development.

CHAPTER II. PRINCIPLES

ARTICLE 3

The American States reaffirm the following principles:

(a) International law is the standard of conduct of States in their reciprocal relations;

(b) International order consists essentially of respect for the personality, sovereignty and independence of States, and the faithfull fulfillment of obligations derived from treaties and other sources of international law;

(c) Good faith shall govern the relations between States;

(d) The solidarity of the American States and the high aims which are sought through it require the political organization of those States on the basis of the effective exercise of representative democracy;

(e) The American States condemn war of aggression: victory does not give rights;

(f) An act of aggression against one American State is an act of aggression against all the other American States;

(g) Controversies of an international character arising between two or more American States shall be settled by peaceful procedures;

(h) Social justice and social security are bases of lasting peace; (i) Economic cooperation is essential to the common welfare and prosperity of the peoples of the hemisphere;

(j) The American States proclaim the fundamental rights of the individual without distinction as to race, nationality, creed

or sex;

(k) The spiritual unity of the hemisphere is based on respect for the cultural values of the American countries and requires their close cooperation for the high purposes of civilization;

(1) The education of peoples should be directed toward justice, freedom and peace.

CHAPTER III. MEMBERS

ARTICLE 4

All American States that ratify the present Charter are Members of the Organization.

ARTICLE 5

Any new political entity that arises from the union of several Member States and that, as such, ratifies the present Charter, shall become a Member of the Organization. The entry of the new political entity into the Organization shall result in the loss of membership of each one of the States which constitute it.

ARTICLE 6

Any other independent American State that desires to become a Member of the Organization should so indicate by means of a note addressed to the Secretary General, in which it declares that it is willing to sign and ratify the Charter of the Organization and to accept all the obligations inherent in membership, especially those relating to collective security expressly set forth in Articles 27 and 28 of the Charter.

ARTICLE 7

The General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Permanent Council of the Organization, shall determine whether it is appropriate that the Secretary General be authorized to permit the applicant State to sign the Charter and to accept the deposit of the corresponding instrument of ratification. Both the recommendation of the permanent Council and the decision of the General Assembly shall require the affirmative vote of two thirds of the Member States.

ARTICLE 8

The Permanent Council shall not make any recommendations nor shall the General Assembly take any decision with respect to a request for admission on the part of a political entity whose territory became subject, in whole or in part, prior to December 18, 1964, the date set by the First Special Inter-American Conference, to litigation or claim between an extracontinental country and one or more Member States of the Organization, until the dispute has been ended by some peaceful procedure.

CHAPTER IV. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF STATES

ARTICLE 9

States are juridically equal, enjoy equal rights and equal capacity to exercise these rights, and have equal duties. The rights of each State depend not upon its power to ensure the exercise thereof, but upon the mere fact of its existence as a person under international law.

ARTICLE 10

Every American State has the duty to respect the rights enjoyed by every other State in accordance with international law.

ARTICLE 11

The fundamental rights of States may not be impaired in any manner whatsoever.

ARTICLE 12

The political existence of the State is independent of recognition by other States. Even before being recognized, the State has the right to defend its integrity and independence, to provide for its preservation and prosperity, and consequently to organize itself as it sees fit, to legislate concerning its interests, to administer its services, and to determine the jurisdiction and competence of its courts. The exercise of these rights is limited only by the exercise of the rights of other States in accordance with international law.

ARTICLE 13

Recognition implies that the State granting it accepts the person ality of the new State, with all the rights and duties that internationa law prescribes for the two States.

ARTICLE 14

The right of each State to protect itself and to live its own life does not authorize it to commit unjust acts against another State.

ARTICLE 15

The jurisdiction of States within the limits of their national territory is exercised equally over all the inhabitants, whether nationals or aliens.

ARTICLE 16

Each State has the right to develop its cultural, political, and economic life freely and naturally. In this free development, the State shall respect the rights of the individual and the principles of universal morality.

ARTICLE 17

Respect for and the faithful observance of treaties constitute standards for the development of peaceful relations among States. International treaties and agreements should be public.

ARTICLE 18

No State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs of any other State. The foregoing principle prohibits not only armed force but also any other form of interference or attempted threat