UN resolution on Right of Peoples to Self-determination

Daily News – Lk
27 Nov 04

The United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee, dealing
with social and humanitarian issues, adopted by consensus a draft
resolution on the “Universal Realization of the Right of Peoples
to Self-determination.”

The resolution has consistently been adopted by the General Assembly
since 1981. Pakistan has always been the lead sponsor of the
resolution. Pakistan also makes a statement in the Third Committee’s
General Debate on this item, states the High Commission of Pakistan,
Colombo.

The resolution reaffirms the universal right of peoples to
self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and international
covenants on human rights. It welcomes the progressive exercise of
this right by peoples under colonial, foreign or alien occupation
and their emergence into sovereign statehood and independence.

In its operative part, the resolution calls upon those States
responsible to cease immediately their military intervention in
and occupation of foreign countries and territories and all acts
of repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment, in
particular the brutal and inhuman methods reportedly employed for
the execution of those acts against the peoples concerned.

The resolution was co-sponsored by a large number of countries from
Asia and Africa. Besides Pakistan, the co-sponsors included: Algeria,
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Brunei,
Darussalam, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya,
Malaysia, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia,
Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

The resolution requests the Commission on Human Rights to continue to
give special attention to the violation of human rights, especially
the right to self-determination, resulting from foreign military
intervention, aggression or occupation. It also requests the Secretary
General to report to the 60th Session of the General Assembly on
this question.

The resolution will now go to the Plenary of the General Assembly
for adoption before end of the current session.