Statement by Mr. Raza Bashir Tarar, Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan, before Action on the Resolution entitled: Universal Realization of the Right of the Peoples to Self-determination in the Third Committee, 66th Session of the UN General Assembly (New York 08 November, 2011)

Mr. Chairman,

The Third Committee has before it for action an important resolution entitled "Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination" contained in document A/C.3/66/L.30.

I have the pleasure to announce that since the tabling of this resolution, Angola, Burundi, El-Salvador, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Honduras, Madagascar, Maldives, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia have also joined as co-sponsors, making the total number of co-sponsors as 66. The growing number of co-sponsors every year is reflective of the continuing importance this fundamental right has among the comity of nations.

The right to self-determination which enjoys primacy in international law, is the corner stone of the UN Charter and two International Covenants.

It has been affirmed and upheld by all major UN, NAM, OIC and other international Summits, Declarations and resolutions.

The adoption of this resolution by acclamation ever since its maiden introduction in the 1980's, epitomizes the General Assembly's consistent reaffirmation of this central principle of the UN Charter.

It also sends a strong message of the international community's opposition to all acts of foreign aggression and occupation, which are contrary to international human rights and humanitarian laws.

I hope that as per tradition, this resolution will again be adopted by consensus in manifestation of the commitment of the United Nations to uphold the right to self-determination.

I thank you.