GA/SHC/3993
Sixty-fifth General Assembly
Third Committee
40th Meeting (AM)
As the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) neared the conclusion of two weeks of discussions on human rights, representatives of 20 countries took the floor today to address a wide range of issues dealing with self-determination, racism and refugees.
Various Governments debated the interpretation of the right to self-determination, with the Republic of Moldova's representative stating that self-determination should not be interpreted as authorizing any action that could dismember the territorial integrity of sovereign States conducting themselves in compliance with the principle of equal rights. At the same time, Armenia told delegations that there should be no hierarchy in principles of international law, and the right to self-determination should not be turned into an issue of territorial integrity when the survival of people was a consideration, such as in areas like Nagorno-Karabakh.
The representative of Azerbaijan said that international agreements did not deal with the issue of self-determination as it specifically related to secession from existing Governments, but that this had no place in accepted international law. India recalled that self-determination was the right to independence and self-government of people living in non-self-governing colonies and territories, and should not be abused to undermine pluralistic and democratic States.
In terms of developments relating to the right to self-determination, Sudan's representative stated that the Government was preparing for a referendum in January, during which the people of South Sudan could decide whether to stay in a unified Sudan or break away. Cuba told delegates that it would be presenting a draft resolution entitled "Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination", which would draw attention to certain international companies and ensure "a new change" in the global use of mercenaries.
Numerous delegates also brought up the issue of self-determination for the Palestinian people. South Africa's representative said it would continue to make strong statements until Palestine achieved self-determination and Nicaragua also expressed support for the right for the Palestinian people, while India stood in solidarity with Palestine toward the achievement of a two-State solution. Additionally, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran all mentioned the racial discrimination practiced against Palestinians in occupied territories, calling upon the international community to condemn this violation of rights.
To promote the elimination of racial discrimination and prevent religious intolerance, Kuwait underlined the need for the United Nations to adopt an international covenant calling for respect of religions. Qatar also noted its projects, such as its work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish training centres in Southwest Asia and the Arab region to eliminate racism.
Other innovative approaches to countering racism mentioned by the representatives included Singapore's Ethnic Integration Policy for housing, diverse schools and commemorative days, such as Racial Harmony Day. While such initiatives "might seem like an artificial construct", he said, they created a common space of interaction and encouraged bonding between people of different backgrounds. South Africa's representative also noted that it had seen the important role of sports could play in unifying people, such as during the recent World Cup.
With regard to the continuing refugee situation, Kenya's representative stressed that ending the conflict that caused displacement was the only sustainable way of reducing refugee populations and allowing them to exercise the right of return, and Algeria's representative agreed that the future of refugees hinged on reaching a just, durable and mutually acceptable political solution. The representatives of Algeria and India added that strengthening of relationships between United Nations humanitarian institutions and national organizations was needed to enhance services provided by countries hosting refugees.
Also speaking during the discussion on the elimination of racism and racial discrimination and on the rights of peoples to self-determination were the representatives of Bolivia, Iran, Moldova, Singapore, India, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Georgia, South Africa, Nicaragua, Eritrea and Pakistan, as well as the observer of the International Organization for Migration.
Also speaking on the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions was the representative of Morocco.
The representatives of Pakistan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation and Georgia also spoke in exercise of the right of reply in the morning session.
The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 4 November, to hear a statement from the President of the General Assembly and to continue and conclude its discussion on refugees. It will also hear the introduction of, and take action on, a number of draft resolutions.