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New York, 18 November 2021
Pakistan-sponsored resolution entitled "Universal Realization of the Right of the Peoples to Self-Determination" for Adoption at the Third Committee" adopted with consensus and was co-sponsored by 73 countries here today.
Permanent Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, while introducing the rationale and the context of this resolution, said: "Today, self-determination has been crystallized as a peremptory norm of international law and the international community is obligated to fulfill this right for all peoples under subjugation, alien domination and foreign occupation". "Almost all former colonies and subjugated peoples, who are represented in this Assembly today as sovereign nations, secured their independence by exercising their right to self-determination".
Elaborating further, Ambassador Akram said that "the means by which occupying powers continue to suppress the legitimate struggles for self-determination are often brutal and violent; including naked military force, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, rape and sexual violence, torture, curfews, communication blackouts, lockdown of civilian populations, illegal settlements and demographic changes. These actions are among the gravest violations of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions as well as fundamental human rights enunciated in the core human rights conventions. These illegal actions suppress, subvert and delay the realization of the right to self-determination".
"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. The General Assembly's affirmation of support preserves the hope of peoples under colonial and foreign occupation that their destinies will be decided in accordance with the principles of justice and not by the force of power" he added.
Ambassador Munir Akram thanked the large number of co-sponsors from all regions who joined in sponsoring this important resolution.
By adopting this resolution this Committee reaffirmed the commitment of Member States to the principle to self-determination by consensus.
The resolution will be formally adopted in General Assembly in second week of December.