Speakers Urge Administrating Powers to Put People’s Interests First as Fourth Committee Spotlights Non-Self-Governing Territories
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) resumed its general debate on decolonization and related agenda items today, with speakers urging administering Powers to prioritize the interests of those who live in Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Venezuela’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, said that despite pressing global challenges, the international community must not lose sight of the people in the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories — plus Palestine — who are still waiting to realize their inalienable right to self-determination.
Iraq’s representative said that administering Powers have a commitment to promote the development of people under their control, adding that foreign investment can help improve living standards. As subjecting people to foreign occupation is a denial of international law, decolonization must remain a priority for the United Nations, he said, underscoring the value of fact-finding missions as part of the Committee’s work.
Nepal’s representative, in a similar vein, called on the administering Powers to implement the Committee’s mandates for visiting missions and the timely transmission of information. Administering Powers must develop time-bound work programmes on a case-by-case basis, she said, pointing out that many Territories find themselves in a vulnerable position due to fragile health systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as supply chain disruptions and climate crises.
Syria’s representative pointed to the many repercussions of foreign occupation, including human rights violations. Many Territories are used for scientific testing and turned into nuclear waste dumps, she emphasized, voicing regret that in the twenty-first century, the international community has been unable to end colonialism.
Papua New Guinea’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, drew attention to the situation of New Caledonia, saying that it is not for any external parties to decide its future. Voicing concern about the ending of the Nouméa Accord following last December’s self-determination referendum, he said there is a sizable proportion of New Caledonians and outside observers who believe the referendum to be unjust.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Uganda, Bolivia, El Salvador, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Timor-Leste, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal.
Representatives of Iran, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Argentina, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia spoke in exercise of the right of reply.
The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 13 October, to continue its general debate on decolonization items.
Decolonization
The Fourth Committee resumed its general debate on decolonization, which began on 3 October. (See Press Release GA/SPD/748.)
Mr. AL BALDAWI (Iraq), reaffirming his country’s commitment to General Assembly resolution 1514, said that subjecting people to foreign occupation is a denial of the basic principles of international law. Decolonization must remain a priority for the United Nations, he said, adding that administering Powers have a commitment to promote the development of people under their control as well as protect the natural resources of the Territory. The work of specialized Agencies in supporting development in Non-Self-Governing Territories is crucial, he said, adding that foreign investment has an important role to play in improving standards of living in such Territories. He also highlighted the importance of fact-finding visits to Territories, saying that they would enable the Committee to assess economic and social conditions.
ABDULAZIZ M. ALWASIL (Saudi Arabia) voiced support for self-governance in Moroccan Sahara, saying that Rabat’s initiative has garnered the Security Council’s support as seen in resolutions that organ has adopted since 2007. Noting Morocco’s efforts to reach a solution to that regional conflict, he said that all parties concerned must be realistic and adopt a spirit of consensus. Resolving the conflict will contribute to regional peace and stability. He denounced attempts by the Government of Iran to occupy Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb in the Gulf, saying that the United Arab Emirates has full sovereignty over the islands and that Saudi Arabia supports all peaceful measures taken by that country to regain sovereignty.
INDIRA GOHIWAR ARYAL (Nepal), reaffirming her country’s commitment to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, said: “Nepal deplores foreign domination and exploitation under any pretext”. People from the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories look to the Fourth Committee for political and moral support. She called on the administering Powers to collaborate with the Territories to implement the Committee’s mandates for visiting missions and the timely transmission of information. Highlighting the vulnerable situation in many Territories due to fragile health systems in the wake of the pandemic, as well as supply chain disruptions and climate crises, she emphasized the role of the United Nations development system, adding that the administering Powers must develop time-bound work programmes on a case-by-case basis.
MAX HUFANEN RAI (Papua New Guinea), speaking on behalf of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, said the group is a sub-regional inter-Governmental organization comprising Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and his own country as well as the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia. He recalled that the Pacific regional seminar on the implementation of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, held in Saint Lucia in May 2022, had the highest number of participants thus far, particularly from Non-Self-Governing Territories. Pointing to the testimonies of colonization offered by petitioners, including from the Blue Pacific Continent, he said that it is incumbent on all Member States, and not just the members of the Special Committee, to bring a successful end to colonization.
Turning to the question of New Caledonia, he said that it is not for any external parties to decide the Territory’s future. He noted the remarkable strides that New Caledonia has made since the adoption of the Nouméa Accord in May 1998 but expressed concern about the ending of the Accord following the last self-determination referendum in December 2021, the way in which that vote was held and its outcome. Highlighting the rejection of the legitimate interests of a large proportion of the eligible voters, he said that is against the letter and spirit of the Accord. There is a sizable proportion of New Caledonians and outside observers who believe the referendum to be unjust, he said, adding that the next visiting mission to New Caledonia will be a critical one.
JOAQUÍN ALBERTO PÉREZ AYESTARÁN (Venezuela), speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, highlighted the multiple success stories emanating from the Organization’s decolonization agenda. “Today, we are a total of 193 Member States, in comparison to 51 when the United Nations was established back in 1945”. He noted, however, that the task remains complete, as people in 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories plus Palestine are still waiting to realize their inalienable right to self-determination. The international community must not lose sight of them, despite other pressing challenges, he said.
All administering Powers must respect the inalienable right of all Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources and must avoid pursuing any economic or military action that may negatively affect the interests of the peoples of those Territories, he continued. Speaking in his national capacity, he expressed concern that the colonization of Puerto Rico has gone on for 120 years, noting the consequences of Hurricane Fiona on that Territory. Further, the United Kingdom must take concrete steps towards the true decolonization of the Territories it continues to illegally occupy, he said, expressing support for the rights of Argentina in the dispute concerning the Malvinas*, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, as well as those of Mauritius in the dispute concerning the Chagos Archipelago.
MATHU JOYINI (South Africa) said that as a former colony, decolonization is an important issue for her country. Were it not for the Committee’s tireless efforts, South Africa would not be a member of the United Nations. She voiced concern about the brutal violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and called on the international community to strengthen its resolve and take concrete action toward the Palestinian cause. She supported the African Union’s position on Western Sahara and called on the parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid acts that could give rise to hostilities. The complete decolonization of Mauritius should be undertaken, she said, stressing that the Chagos Islands belongs to people in whose land and continent it is located. On the question of the Malvinas Islands, she called on the parties to resume bilateral negotiations toward finding a political solution.
MAHMOUD DAIFALLAH HMOUD (Jordan) reaffirmed his country’s commitment to decolonization worldwide and highlighted the importance of granting the right to self-determination to the Palestinian people. The international community must mobilize efforts to find a real political solution that paves the way for peace talks in the region based on the two-State solution. Condemning ongoing Israeli violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and denouncing provocations aimed at changing its historic character, he said that Al-Aqsa is a place of worship for Muslims and that Jordan is exclusively responsible for its management. He went on to support the Secretary-General’s efforts to relaunch the political process in Western Sahara and commended Morocco’s efforts in that regard.
MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) said: “The Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir is the worst manifestation of modern-day colonialism”. For more than 70 years, India has avoided implementing relevant United Nations resolutions, he said, adding that Kashmir today is the most densely occupied place in the world with 900,000 Indian occupation troops. The occupation has perpetrated a vicious campaign of extrajudicial killings, abductions and enforced disappearances, he said, adding that India’s brutal campaign of oppression is turbocharged by an ideology which asserts the supremacy of Hindus and hatred against Muslims and other minorities. Affirming Pakistan’s desire for peaceful relations, he called on India to stop all human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, halt and reverse the demographic change it is perpetrating there and restore Kashmir’s statehood and identity by reversing the illegal and unilateral measures imposed on or after 5 August 2019.
PHILIP OCHEN ANDREW ODIDA (Uganda), expressing support for the inalienable right of all people to self-determination, recalled the President of the General Assembly telling the Committee that the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2040) should be the last one. After decades of examination without resolution, 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remain on the Special Committee’s list, he said, reaffirming Uganda’s support for a lasting and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine. He stressed the urgent need to enable the Sahrawi people to enjoy the right to self-determination, adding that as Western Sahara is on African soil, the African Union has an ongoing interest in a peaceful solution to that matter. He underscored the importance of visiting missions in helping to resolve conflicts and called on the Committee to undertake such a mission to Western Sahara.
The representative of Bolivia, associating himself with CELAC and MERCOSUR and the Associated States, said that the international community must join forces to help the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories more effectively along their path to self-determination. To do so would help them achieve the highest levels of economic autonomy, environmental protection and social development, he noted. He called on the administering Powers to initiate a true decolonization process as soon as possible. He also called on the United States to enable the people of Puerto Rico to begin the process to exercise, peacefully and freely, their right to full independence. On Western Sahara, he urged the parties to reach a ceasefire and to resume dialogue in good faith so that the Sahrawi people can determine their future. Turning to the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding waters, he reaffirmed Argentina’s legitimate right over that Territory and called on the parties to resume negotiations.
CARLOS EFRAÍN SEGURA ARAGÓN (El Salvador), associating himself with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said that decolonization is an historic debt that the Organization must pay to the millions of people living in the Non-Self-Governing Territories. Making self-determination a reality must remain a priority, he said, adding that the United Nations must identify ways to help Non-Self-Governing Territories address such challenges as COVID-19 pandemic recovery, climate change and the devastating effects of natural disasters. He reiterated El Salvador’s support for the legitimate rights of Argentina over the Malvinas Islands and underscored that country’s willingness, year after year, to resume negotiations on the question. Turning to Western Sahara, he underscored El Salvador’s support for Morocco’s efforts to arrive at a realistic and pragmatic solution, with that country’s autonomy initiative representing a fundamental step forward.
LASANA ANDREWS (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) said the long-standing dispute regarding the Malvinas can only be settled through bilateral negotiations in line with relevant resolutions and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Those negotiations must take into consideration the interests and well-being of the islands’ inhabitants. Voicing dismay about the pace of negotiations and failure to make meaningful progress, she urged the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to recommit to the resumption of bilateral negotiations with a spirit of cooperation to achieve a peaceful, just and lasting solution to that dispute. Noting those countries’ efforts to find common ground on matters of concern, she urged the Secretary-General to use his good offices to facilitate and energize that process.
PEDRO LUIS PEDROSO CUESTA (Cuba), associating himself with CELAC, called for renewed multilateralism in the service of decolonization. The international community must ensure that the people of occupied Palestine can enjoy their inalienable right for a viable and independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital. Palestine should not have to see its foreign occupation continue for another half century, he said, also defending the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination. Expressing support for Argentina’s claim in the dispute concerning the Malvinas Islands, he reiterated calls for a negotiated solution that takes into consideration the territorial integrity of Argentina and the interests of the people living on the islands. Despite years of colonialism, Puerto Rico retains its culture, identity and national spirit, he said. He went on to highlight the negative consequences of the blockade imposed on his country.
Ms. KIMANI (Kenya) called for renewed commitment to the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples and encouraged the establishment of multilateral towards that end. Kenya is guided by the decisions of the African Union and its predecessor on the issue of self-determination in Non-Self-Governing Territories, including the people of Western Sahara. Recalling that Security Council resolution 690 (1991) established the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to implement the United Nations-Organisation for African Unity settlement plan, she said that it is regrettable that the Sahrawi people are yet to be afforded the opportunity to exercise the right to self-determination by way of a referendum under MINURSO’s auspices. She called for efforts that will enable implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly the holding of a referendum in Western Sahara.
GBOLIÉ DÉSIRÉ WULFRAN IPO (Côte d'Ivoire), calling on all stakeholders to step up collaboration with the Special Committee, called for a pragmatic and sustainable solution to the question of Western Sahara. Such a solution should be based on compromise between both parties, he said, welcoming the visit of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to multiple cities in the Territory as well as the resumption of roundtable discussions. Stability in the Maghreb depends on a political resolution to this matter, he said, expressing support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Highlighting the participation of people living in the Sahara in the elections, he said that Morocco’s efforts have increased the well-being of the local population. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate fully with MINURSO, saying that it continues to uphold peace in the region.
JUAN JOSÉ PORTORREAL BRANDAO (Dominican Republic), associating himself with CELAC and the Group of Friends of Spanish, expressed support for Morocco’s efforts to achieve a political solution on Western Sahara and called on all parties to maintain a spirit of cooperation. His delegation also supports for Argentina’s just claims to exercise its sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and surrounding maritime areas, he said, associating himself with the “Group of 77” developing countries and China and CELAC on the matter. The only way to resolve that dispute is through a negotiated agreement between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom. He called for the continued use of all resources provided for in various General Assembly resolutions so that negotiations can be resumed to arrive at a peaceful and definitive agreement. He added that his country, in its capacity as pro tempore chair of the Ibero-American Summit, would like to highlight the special communique on the Malvinas adopted at the twenty-seventh summit held in Andorra on 27 April 2021.
ALIAA ALI (Syria), noting multiple national struggles for independence, said that colonizing powers must give up their colonial mentalities. Voicing regret that in the twenty-first century, the international community has been unable to end colonialism, she pointed to the many repercussions of occupation. These include human rights violations, the plundering of natural resources and the use of many Territories for scientific testing and nuclear waste dumps.
KARLITO NUNES (Timor-Leste), recalling that his country has had first-hand experience with the dark and bitter sides of colonialism and occupation, called for redoubling efforts towards decolonization. It is essential to better understand the aspirations of the people of Non-Self-Governing Territories, particularly those related to their political status. Underscoring the importance of dialogues and negotiations between all parties to terminate long-standing conflicts, he expressed concern about rising tensions in Western Sahara since November 2020 and the breach of the 1991 ceasefire agreement. Calling on the Organization to add a human rights component to the mandate of MINURSO, he also urged Argentina and the United Kingdom to resume their dialogue to find a peaceful and permanent solution.
SAMBA SANÉ (Guinea-Bissau) said that Morocco’s autonomy initiative is a practical and pragmatic plan based on compromise for a mutually acceptable solution to the question of Western Sahara. It has great potential to stabilize the region and improve the economic, social and cultural situation of the people. He commended Morocco for its efforts to improve the lives of the population within the region through continued investments and development on infrastructure, education and the health care system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Morocco provided invaluable assistance, particularly to the most vulnerable, to cope with negative socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, he added. He called for international support to Morocco’s approach and initiative, as well as constructive dialogue of the concerned parties under the auspices of the United Nations.
AMINATA LY DIOP (Senegal), reiterating support for a fair and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara under the auspices of the United Nations, said that Morocco’s autonomy initiative is the best possible way to achieve that goal. The headway which Morocco has made in terms of human rights and socio-economic development, while also ensuring the empowerment of the people of Western Sahara, attest to its willingness to resolve this issue, she said. Senegal opened its consulate in Dakhla in 2021 as a token of support for Morocco’s efforts, she said, also welcoming positive signs including elections in that Territory and the meeting between the elected representative and the Special Committee. She also highlighted the importance of resolving this question in terms of regional stability.
Right of Reply
The representative of Iran, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that her country does not recognize the existence of any dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb. Those islands form an inseparable part of Iranian territory and Iran rejects any claims to the contrary, she said.
The representative of the United Kingdom said that his country has a modern relationship with its overseas Territories based on partnership, shared values and the rights of the people of each Territory to determine their own future. His country has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and surrounding maritime areas, nor about the principle and rights of Falkland islanders to self-determination.
The representative of India said that Pakistan’s representative made several baseless allegations against his country. The entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable part of India, he said, calling on Pakistan to vacate all areas under illegal occupation.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates, stressing that the three islands in the Arabian Gulf are part of its territories, unequivocally rejected Iran’s occupation of those islands. Her country has sought peaceful solutions, but Iran has rejected them, she said, noting that the United Arab Emirates will continue to build “bridges of communication”.
The representative of Spain, responding to Iraq’s delegate, said that the decolonization of the Non-Self-Governing Territories must take into consideration the particularities of each Territory. The decision to send visiting missions must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Addressing the United Kingdom’s delegation, he added that Spain has no doubt about the limits of its territory, including Gibraltar’s surrounding waters, which are under Spanish sovereignty.
The representative of Argentina said that the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and surrounding maritime areas are an integral part of Argentina’s territory and illegally occupied by the United Kingdom. He recalled General Assembly resolution 3149 (1976), which called on the two parties to refrain from making decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation pending negotiations, recommended by the Assembly, concerning the sovereignty dispute.
The representative of Pakistan said that drawing attention to the continued Indian colonization of Jammu and Kashmir is not a waste of the Fourth Committee’s time. That Territory is internationally recognized as a disputed Territory, he said, adding that India continues to tread on the rights of its people while also actively transforming a Muslim-majority state into a Hindu-majority state.
The representative of Saudi Arabia said that Iran’s statement contained an inaccurate description of the islands occupied by that country. Those three islands are part and parcel of the United Arab Emirates’ territory, he said, voicing support for that country’s peaceful efforts to resolve the issue.
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* 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).