New York, 18 November 2022 (TDI): The Pakistan-sponsored resolution on Self-Determination was adopted unanimously in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee on Thursday.
The resolution is co-sponsored by 72 countries. Munir Akram, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN presented the resolution.
The resolution upholds the right of self-determination of people of occupied territories. Additionally, it deals with social, humanitarian, and cultural issues. Ambassador Munir considered it a “beacon of hope” for the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
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In this vein, he added, “The unanimous endorsement of Pakistan’s resolution on the right of peoples under foreign occupation to self-determination is a beacon of hope for the heroic people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has been sponsoring this text since 1981. And it will be endorsed in the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
Resolution on Self-Determination
While introducing the draft, Munir Akram stated that General Assembly not only adopted the right of self-determination but also gave it the status of customary international law.
“The occupied territories were denied this right. So occupying powers were using brutal means like a military force, extra-judicial killings, and arbitrary arrests.
Additionally, people were exposed to enforced disappearances, rape and sexual violence, torture, and curfews to crush the struggles for freedom.” the Envoy added.
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The resolution declared the General Assembly’s opposition to acts of foreign military intervention and occupation. It also warned states responsible to immediately cease their military intervention in the occupation of foreign countries and territories.
The UNGA looked into the predicament of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted as a result of these acts. Also, it reaffirmed their right to return to their homes with safety and dignity.
The resolution called on the Human Rights Council to pay special attention to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self-determination. The Secretary-General of the General Assembly was asked to report on this question in the next session.
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