New York, 16 Nov 2023: Speaking on the occasion, he expressed the hope that due to universal character of this right & its continued applicability in situations of foreign occupation and intervention, the Third Committee and the General Assembly will reaffirm the global commitment to the principle of self-determination by adopting the resolution by consensus.
Statement by Ambassador Munir Akram, While Introducing Draft Resolution entitled “Universal Realization of the Right of the Peoples to Self-Determination, Under Agenda Item 70 in the Third Committee.
Mr. Chairman, I have the privilege to introduce, on behalf of my delegation and the co-sponsors, the draft resolution entitled “Universal Realization of the Right of Peoples to Self Determination” contained in document A/C.3/78/L.62.
One of the primary ‘Purposes and Principles’ of the UN Charter is ‘to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of people. The right to self-determination of peoples provides a formidable foundation on which the edifice of human rights and fundamental freedoms is built for all.
Over the years, the peremptory norm of the right to self-determination has been codified in various human rights conventions, declarations and resolutions, including the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The scope, modalities and conduct of the right to Self-Determination has been also elaborated by the Human Rights Committee, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, judgments of International Court of Justice and numerous prominent jurists.
Almost all former colonies and subjugated peoples, who are represented in this August Committee today as sovereign nations, secured their independence by exercising their right to self-determination. There are, however, situations where occupied peoples are still systematically denied this right and are obliged to continue their valiant struggle for its realization. The means and methods by which occupying powers continue to suppress the legitimate struggles for self-determination are brutal and oppressive, including use of naked military force, egregious human rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Due to the universal character of this right and its continued applicability in situations of foreign occupation and intervention, this resolution on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination has been traditionally adopted by consensus in the General Assembly. Therefore, we hope that this year too, this Committee and the Assembly will reaffirm the global commitment to the principle of self-determination by adopting this resolution by consensus.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank cross regional co-sponsors who have joined us and supported this important resolution. We would also take this opportunity to urge all other members, who have not done so, to co-sponsor the draft resolution before adoption.
Sub Editor: Ghufran