Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1934 - 1957 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Size/Number of Items/Parts: 17 linear ft. of textual records, 34 boxes, No. of Boxes: 15
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
"In Africa, the United Nations was assisting the former Italian colonies of Libya, Eritrea and Somaliland to achieve independence. Through the Trusteeship System and the Charter provisions relating to other Non-Self-Governing Territories, the United Nations
offered the Administering Powers and the peoples under their jurisdiction the best opportunity for peaceful progress towards co-operation for mutual welfare.
By resolution 289 A (IV), adopted at the fourth session on 17 November 1950, the General Assembly, among other things, established the United Nations Commission for Eritrea to ascertain more fully the wishes of the inhabitants of Eritrea and the means of promoting their future welfare.
The Commission was to prepare a report and to submit proposals, so that the matter might be considered by the General Assembly at its fifth session. The Interim Committee of the General Assembly was asked to consider the Commission's report and to submit its conclusions to the fifth session of the Assembly.
Related Series:
*S-0002 Executive Assistant to the Secretary-General - Commission for Eritrea records in AG-011 United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General fonds"
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
contain correspondence with the United Nations, the Representative Assembly of Eritrea, the government of Ethiopia, the British Administering Authority, and others, and also cables, minutes, reports, speeches of E. Anze Matienzo, the Commissioner, to the General Assembly, memoranda, working papers, press releases, personnel files, maps, and clippings from the files of the Commissioner, the Principal Secretary, the Deputy Principal Secretary, and the Administrative Office concerning the drafting of a constitution for Eritrea, and other political, legal, economic, and social matters.
Of note are minutes, statements, and working papers of the Eritrean Assembly; drafts, 1951-1952, of the Eritrean Constitution; and a picture album presented to the Commission showing a "manifestation for independence" by local inhabitants. One box contains correspondence and case files, 1952-1954, of the United Nations Tribunal in Eritrea.
Fonds consist of the following Series:
S-0722 Subject Files - Tribunal
S-0721 Subject Files - Commissioner
S-0719 Correspondence Files - Principal Secretary - Dr. Lucas
S-0718 Subject Files - Commissioner
S-0717 Subject Files
S-0716 Subject Files - Principal Secretary
S-0715 Subject Files - Deputy Principal Secretary
S-0714 Administrative Files