Speakers Underscore Commitment to End ‘Anachronistic’ Colonialism as Fourth Committee Opens Decolonization Debate
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its general debate on decolonization and related agenda items today, with speakers underscoring their nations’ commitment to eliminating colonialism in all corners of the world.
In opening remarks, the President of the General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi (Hungary) said the future of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories must be established under international law and postulated on the peaceful settlement of disputes. “It is up to us to ensure that this Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism is the last of its kind,” he said.
Ecuador’s representative, speaking also for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), noted that more than half of the Non-Self-Governing Territories are in his region. He called on the administering Powers to adopt measures necessary to attain rapid decolonization, with special attention being paid to key issues affecting small islands such as climate change and volcanic eruptions.
Uruguay’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), was among many delegates expressing support for Argentina in its dispute on the sovereignty of the Malvinas[*], South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. The United Kingdom must end its exploration and exploitation of natural resources in the disputed area, he said, adding that a peaceful and negotiated solution between the two States be found as soon as possible.
Mexico’s representative said there has been a resurgence in the discussion around the relationship between the right to self-determination of peoples and the principle of territorial integrity of States. One principle cannot be given priority over the other, he said, adding: “It is anachronistic that, 60 years after the great movement of emancipation began for countries and peoples that were subject to colonial regimes, this task is still unfinished.”
At the outset of the meeting, Bassam Sabbagh (Syria), Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, presented that body’s latest report (document A/77/23). He said it contains 13 chapters and two annexes which provide detailed information on the activities of the Committee, including its consideration of the questions of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Committee’s recommendations in the form of draft resolutions are presented in the final chapter, he noted.
Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta (Cuba), Vice-Chair of the Special Committee, said that it had interacted with 13 of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. Highlighting the Committee’s efficiency, he said that it adopted 22 resolutions while remaining faithful to its tradition of consensus. Many of the Non-Self-Governing Territories are small islands in the middle of a climate crisis, he pointed out, calling for political will to ensure sustainable futures for them.
In other business, the Committee decided to grant requests for hearings from petitioners regarding the questions from American Samoa, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), French Polynesia, Gibraltar, New Caledonia, United States Virgin Islands and Western Sahara. Mohamed Al Hassan (Oman), Committee Chair, said that requests for hearings regarding the questions of Guam and Saint Helena have been withdrawn.
Due to the large number of petitioners, the Committee agreed to hear their presentations on 4 October, 6 October, 7 October and 10 October.
Indonesia’s representative expressed appreciation for the Committee Chair’s condolences regarding the tragic incident at the Kanjuruhan football stadium on 1 October.
Also speaking today were representatives of Nicaragua, Argentina, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Panama and Iran.
Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were representatives of the United Kingdom and Argentina.
The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 October, to hear statements by representatives and petitioners from several Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Opening Remarks
MOHAMED AL HASSAN (Oman), Committee Chair, opened the meeting and invited the President of General Assembly to address delegations.
CSABA KŐRÖSI (Hungary), President of the General Assembly, said the international community is living in a time of unprecedented, multifaceted, and interlocked crises. Some 30 armed conflicts within and between States are now underway, including the war unleashed upon Ukraine. The leadership of the United Nations, the most universal vehicle of multilateralism, is committed to action and reform so that the Organization can respond to challenges faced by the international community. He urged Member States to focus on solutions that benefit humanity, noting that science could help turn the Committee’s discussions in a solutions-oriented direction. He further called on delegations to build consensus and ensure that the outcomes of their discussions are in line with the expectations of the peoples they serve. “It is up to us to ensure that this Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism is the last of its kind,” he said.
Turning to outer space, he said that while the development of technologies to expand outer-space capabilities were linked in part to defence considerations, weaponizing space should be unthinkable and will be condemned. Spatial research should be harnessed to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said, adding: “Let us look to the skies for solutions, not for military leverage.” He also said that Member States must overcome their differences in order to foster a more united action for peacekeeping, including in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34). He went on to highlight the vital work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and urged Member States to urgently redress the $732 million gap in its funding.
Decolonization
CRISTIAN ESPINOSA (Ecuador), speaking on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), noting that more than half of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories are geographically located in his region, reaffirmed his group’s commitment to continue working to free the region of colonialism. Inviting the administering Powers to participate fully in the work of the Special Committee, he called on them to adopt the measures necessary to attain the rapid decolonization of each of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, taking into account the specific situation in each case, which includes colonial situations defined as “special and particular”. Also voicing support for the dissemination of information on decolonization, he reiterated support for the legitimate rights of Argentina in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands and the South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas.
Highlighting the 37 resolutions and decisions approved by consensus in the Special Committee regarding the colonial question of Puerto Rico, he said that they reaffirm the inalienable right of its people to self-determination and independence. It is vital to continue to take measures to facilitate the sustained growth of the fragile economies of small islands and territories of the Caribbean and the Pacific, he said, expressing concern about the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Special attention should be paid to key issues affecting small islands, such as the acceleration in the loss of their territories because of the increase of the sea level as a result of climate change, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters, he added. Speaking in his national capacity, he expressed support for the inalienable right to self-determination and the mandate of the Special Committee. Calling for dialogue between the Territories and administering Powers, he said the only way to resolve the question of the Malvinas is through bilateral negotiations and reiterated his country’s support for the work of the Special Committee.
CARLOS AMORÍN (Uruguay), speaking on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the Associated States, reiterated the bloc’s support for Argentina in its dispute on the sovereignty of the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. “The Malvinas are Argentinian territory,” he said, underscoring the importance of respecting the principle of territorial integrity in accordance with international law. Ending that special colonial situation requires a peaceful and negotiated solution between the two parties, he added. That solution must be found as soon as possible in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the statements of the Organization of American States, MERCOSUR and other regional and multilateral forums, he said. The United Kingdom must end its exploration and exploitation of natural resources in the disputed area, he continued, underscoring Argentina’s right to promote actions against unauthorized activities.
Speaking in his national capacity and associating himself with CELAC, he said that there are still Non-Self-Governing Territories that are subject to foreign subjugation, adding that these are the result of “artificial colonialism” which has no place in the twenty-first century. He reiterated his country’s support for Argentina with regard to the Malvinas, emphasizing that the only solution is a bilateral one between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
JAIME HERMIDA CASTILLO (Nicaragua), associating himself with CELAC, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to eliminating colonization in all parts of the world. Drawing attention to the need for effective action towards ensuring the right to self-determination for all peoples, he pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Non-Self-Governing Territories, which were already at risk of not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Recalling how Nicaragua obtained its liberation in 1979, he expressed support for the self-determination of Puerto Rico and called for the restoration of sovereignty to Argentina over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. On the question of Western Sahara, he assured that Nicaragua will always defend the fundamental principles of international law that recognize the solemn right of the people of Western Sahara to exercise their freedom, self-determination and national sovereignty. He expressed solidarity with the peoples of all Non-Self-Governing Territories and called for intensification of efforts for the total eradication of colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
JUAN RAMÓN DE LA FUENTE RAMÍREZ (Mexico) noted the resurgence in recent months of the discussion around the relationship between the right to self-determination of peoples and the principle of territorial integrity of States. He highlighted that as every principle is applied within the context of every case under criteria and conditions established by international law, one principle cannot be prioritized over another. “It is anachronistic that, 60 years after the great movement of emancipation began for countries and peoples that were subject to colonial regimes, this task is still unfinished,” he said. The Malvinas belong to Argentina and both parties must resume negotiations in good faith to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting solution, he added. On the question of Western Sahara, he said that a lasting peace must fully consider the exercise of the right to self-determination. The voices of the women and young people of Western Sahara must have an important place in the dialogue established between the actors in that conflict, he added.
MARÍA DEL CARMEN SQUEFF (Argentina) reiterated her country’s willingness to contribute to resolving the outstanding colonial question of Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. Describing it as a special colonial situation involving a sovereignty dispute between two Member States, namely, her country and the United Kingdom, she stressed the need for bilateral negotiations. The question of the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas is that of a territory colonized without a people subject to colonization because British subjects were implanted there with a view to changing the demographic makeup of the territory, she said. Recalling previous negotiations during which both Governments presented their respective positions and explored a diplomatic solution in accordance with international law, she noted the interruption of these negotiations and stressed that the conflict of 1982 did not change the nature of the sovereign dispute. She noted that her Government provides various services to the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas, and called on the United Kingdom to refrain from carrying out unilateral actions.
JUAN ANTONIO BENARD ESTRADA (Guatemala) associating with CELAC, commended Argentina’s will to resolve its dispute with the United Kingdom. However, despite that country’s invitations and the urging of the United Nations, the United Kingdom refuses to systematically resume negotiations, going against the principles established in the Charter of the United Nations. Its refusal to comply with its obligations to resume negotiations has increasingly worsened, he said, drawing attention to unilateral acts including the exploration and exploitation of natural resources as well as military actions. The Secretary-General must continue to carry out his mission to help the parties comply with what the General Assembly has requested in its resolutions on the question of the Malvinas. On the question of Western Sahara, he voiced support for Morocco’s efforts to seek a peaceful solution. The solution to that question is necessary not only for the people of Western Sahara, but also for the stability, security and integration of the Maghreb region, he said.
LUIS UGARELLI (Peru), noting that anti-colonialism is a State policy in his country, paid tribute to the Special Committee for 61 years of efforts which have resulted in the decolonization of millions of people. Today there are fewer than 2 million people living under colonial subjugation, he noted. Turning to the question of the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas, he said that it is a sui generis case in which the principle of self-determination cannot be applied because of the alteration of the demographic makeup in that territory. He called on the two parties to resume negotiations towards a peaceful and lasting solution, stressing that they must refrain from unilateral actions. He underscored Peru’s commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and expressed support for the activities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General concerning the question of Western Sahara.
FABIO CUNHA PINTO COELHO (Brazil), associating himself with MERCOSUR and associated States, reiterated his country’s firm and historic support for Argentina over the Malvinas, a colonial situation that has gone on for almost two centuries. The British population was introduced during an illegal occupation and thus the principle of self-determination cannot be applied. Underscoring the principle of the territorial integrity of States, he called on the parties to return to the negotiating table and acknowledged their efforts to make progress in their bilateral relations. Voicing concern about violations of multilateral provisions, he urged the United Kingdom to put an end to its unilateral actions of exploration and exploitation of natural resources and to refrain from promoting military exercises in the disputed area. The South Atlantic is a zone of peace and cooperation with full respect for peaceful settlement of disputes, he said.
ZORAYA DEL CARMEN CANO FRANCO (Panama), recalling that “decolonization began with the very birth of this Organization”, acknowledged the progress made by the Special Committee. Reiterating commitment to the fundamental right of all peoples to self-determination, in keeping with the principles of the Charter and other relevant resolutions, she expressed support for the legitimate claims of Argentina over the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas. Calling for a peaceful solution to that dispute, she added that all parties must move forward with negotiations and refrain from introducing any unilateral changes. Panama’s flag flies today over territories which were once outside her country’s jurisdiction, she said, hoping that the people of Argentina can one day also experience that sentiment of pride.
VAHID GHELICH (Iran) said the international community must actively engage in eradicating colonialism in all its manifestations, including social and cultural exploitation. The United Nations must fulfil its responsibilities to accelerate decolonization, he stressed, adding that people of colonial countries are entitled to choose their political system. Reaffirming the right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people in line with various United Nations resolutions, he said the international community must keep supporting them in their quest for self-determination. He voiced support for the work of the Special Committee, reaffirming that it must spare no effort in putting an end to colonialism.
Right of Reply
Gordon Brown (United Kingdom), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that his country has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas, nor about the principle and rights of Falklanders to self-determination. There can be no dialogue on sovereignty unless the islanders so wish. The 2013 referendum in which 99.8 per cent of those who voted wanted to maintain their current status as a territory of the United Kingdom sent a clear message that the islanders do not want dialogue on sovereignty. Argentina should respect those wishes, he said.
MAXIMILIANO JAVIER ALVAREZ (Argentina) said that the Malvinas, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas are an integral part of his country’s territories, illegally occupied by the United Kingdom. Through 10 resolutions, the Member States of the United Nations have called on the United Kingdom to resume negotiations. The principle of self-determination of people is inapplicable to the dispute between the two countries, he stressed, adding that the rights of the inhabitants of that territory are protected by his country’s constitution.
__________[*] A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).