National liberation

Rebelling in an organized way against a colonial government or a national government alleged to be dominated by a foreign power.

Extending support to national liberation movements to end all forms of colonialism, hegemony and foreign occupation, helping these movements to realize independence and exercise self-determination; helping African national liberation movements in particular to eradicate racial discrimination and attain their legitimate rights to independence and sovereignty.

The reality of national liberation can be traced to rebellions against imperial Egypt, Rome, China and the UK. Most national liberation movements have been hostile to the Western powers, having been organized, in the main, in the colonies of those powers. The movements often espouse radical socialist ideologies.

National liberation movements are as varied as the Algerian FLN, the Vietnamese NLF, the Cuban 26th of July Movement, the Free India Battalion of Subas Chandra Bose and the Hukbalhap Movement in the Philippines. They may be wholly indigenous in origin and support or depend on the backing of a foreign power. Some of them have commanded the support and sympathy of a majority of their countrymen; others have been led by determined minorities seeking to seize power through force and extralegal means.

UNDP assists national liberation movements recognized in its area by the Organization of African Unity. ILO has a programme to assist liberation movements and trade unions.