UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a Pakistan-sponsored resolution reaffirming that the universal realisation of the right of peoples to self-determination was a fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights.

The resolution, co-sponsored by 75 countries was adopted without a vote in the 193-member Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues.

Earlier, introducing the resolution in the committee, Pakistan’s Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said that self-determination had provided hope to people in their struggle against foreign occupation, a right that had been upheld by all major summits of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The resolution is expected to come up for General Assembly’s endorsement next month.

The text 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 resolution called on those states responsible to cease immediately their military intervention and occupation of foreign countries and territories, as well as all acts of repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment.

It is a message of support from the international community to peoples, everywhere in the world, who still find themselves subjugated and oppressed and struggling against foreign occupation.

“It is my earnest hope that this august body will once again adopt the resolution by consensus, and that more of you will join as cosponsors to show your firm and unwavering commitment to the right to self-determination for all occupied, oppressed and suffering people of the world”, said the Pakistan’s UN ambassador.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2017