UNITED NATIONS, Dec 19 (APP): The UN General Assembly Thursday, stamped its approval on a Pakistan-sponsored resolution that reaffirms the right to self-determination for peoples still subjected to colonial, foreign, and alien occupation.
The text, which was adopted by consensus, was recommended last month by the 193-member Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with Social, humanitarian, and cultural issues.
Pakistan has been tabling this resolution since 1981 in an effort to focus the world’s attention on the peoples still struggling for their inalienable right to self-determination, including those in Indian Occupied Kashmir and Palestine.
By reaffirming the right to self-determination, the General Assembly has once again emphasized its applicability in situations where peoples remain deprived of this right and uphold the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and relevant UN resolutions.
The resolution serves as an important expression of international solidarity with peoples striving to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination, diplomats said. For the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, it reinforces international attention to their just cause and their aspirations for freedom and dignity, it was pointed out.
Co-sponsored by 65 countries representing all regions, the text calls on countries to immediately cease their foreign military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories, as well as acts of repression, discrimination, and maltreatment.
Under its terms, the resolution also declared the General Assembly’s firm opposition to acts of foreign military intervention, aggression, and occupation, since these have resulted in the suppression of the right of peoples to self-determination and other human rights in certain parts of the world.
The Assembly also deplored the plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted as a result of these acts and reaffirms their right to return to their homes voluntarily in safety and honour.
It urges the Human Rights Council to give special attention to the violation of human rights, especially the right to self-determination, resulting from foreign military intervention, aggression, or occupation.