UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly has approved a Pakistan-sponsored resolution that reaffirms the right to self-determination for peoples subjected to colonial, foreign and alien occupation.

The 193-member body adopted the resolution by consensus on Wednesday afternoon when it also considered other human rights issues.

The resolution — “Universal realisation of the right of peoples to self-determination” — clearly stating that self-determination is a fundamental right of all peoples — including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by 71 countries, observed that “self-determination is a fundamental condition for the guarantee and observance of human rights”.

AKRAM SAYS THE WORLD BODY REAFFIRMED ISLAMABAD’S LEGAL, POLITICAL AND MORAL CASE IN SUPPORT OF KASHMIRIS

Declaring its firm opposition to foreign military intervention, aggression and occupation, the Assembly called on “those States responsible to cease immediately their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories”.

The world body also “deplored the plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted as a result of such acts and reaffirmed their right to return”.

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram said that by adopting Pakistan’s resolution, the General Assembly had “reaffirmed our legal, political and moral case in support of all peoples, including the Kashmiri people, to struggle for self-determination against foreign occupation by all means available to them”.

The text of the resolution was recommended last month by the General Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues. While taking up a report on “Social development”, the assembly also “stressed the importance of removing obstacles to realizing the right to self-determination”.

By a recorded vote of 168 in favour to five against with 10 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution II — “The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.” The resolution reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including to their independent State of Palestine.

It urged all states and specialised UN agencies to continue to assist Palestinians in the early realisation of this right.

The United States, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Nauru voted against the resolution.

Ambassador Akram said the resolution on self-determination had empowered legitimate freedom movements and had also renewed international commitment to help those living under occupation and subjugation. Pakistan, he said, would continue to speak up for all peoples who were suffering under foreign occupation. “This has been a cornerstone of our foreign policy and we are proud to be a voice of the voiceless,” he added.

The General Assembly also proclaimed Aug 31 as the International Day for People of African Descent to “promote greater recognition and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies”.

The Assembly deferred action on two draft resolutions: “Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar”, and “a global call for concrete action for the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”. The resolutions would be reviewed after budgetary considerations.

Islamabad 18 Dec 2020 : Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his UAE counterpart, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on 17 December 2020. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its fraternal relations with the UAE – a brotherly country and an important regional partner.

The two Foreign Ministers reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues. Foreign Minister Qureshi elaborated the worsening situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the precarious security situation in South Asia. He also outlined Pakistan’s consistent efforts to support peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Both Foreign Ministers agreed to enhance the existing strong bilateral ties, in particular in the areas of economy, trade and investment. Foreign Minister Qureshi assured his counterpart of active participation in the Expo 2020. He appreciated the UAE’s leadership for its consistent support Pakistan, especially during COVID-19 pandemic.

Praising the hard work and dedication of Pakistani professionals and workers in the UAE, Foreign Minister Qureshi acknowledged their positive contribution towards progress and development of the UAE as well as Pakistan. He discussed with his counterpart matters pertaining to Pakistani Diaspora’s welfare and stressed the need to further strengthen people to people linkages between the two brotherly countries.

Foreign Minister expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit. He cordially extended an invitation to H.H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to visit Pakistan on mutually convenient dates in near future which he graciously accepted.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution that calls for immediate end to military intervention and occupation of foreign countries and territories.

Adopted by the 193-member body on December 16, the resolution, titled “Universal realisation of the rights of peoples to self-determination”, reaffirmed that self-determination is a fundamental condition for effective guarantee and observance, preservation and promotion of human rights for those under colonial, foreign and alien domination.

It declared the global body’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 UNGA resolution called upon states to “cease immediately their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories and all acts of repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment, in particular the brutal and inhuman methods reportedly employed in the execution of those acts against the peoples concerned”.

The resolution stated that the UN deplores plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted and reaffirmed their right to voluntary repatriation in “safety and with honour”.

The UN Human Rights Council has been requested to continue giving special attention to violation of human rights especially right to self-determination, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been requested to report on this in the General Assembly at the 76th session next year.