Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination – GA Third Cttee debate, introduction of draft resolution – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

48^th Meeting (AM)

THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVES 14 TEXTS FOR ACTION BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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Action on a draft, on combating defamation of religions, and on another text, on implementation of the Outcome of the World Summit for Social Development, was deferred to a later date.  A draft resolution, on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons; another titled, From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; and a third, on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, were also introduced to the Committee today for future action.

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to hear the introduction of draft resolutions on Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa (document A/C.3/62/L.82); from rhetoric to reality:  a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (document A/C.3/62/L.65); and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (document A/C.3/62/L.63).

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Next, the representative of Egypt introduced the draft resolution on The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (document A/C.3/62/L.63), saying that, for over four decades, the people of Palestine had been denied their basic human rights and their right to self-determination in flagrant violation of international law.  The denial of their legitimate aspiration for self-determination by oppressive and brutal means had compelled certain Member States to call for the fulfilment of that inalienable right until fully realized.

He said the text was the same as last year’s except for one new preambular paragraph, which touched on the need to respect and preserve the territorial unity, contiguity and integrity of all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, since the Palestinian people could only establish a viable State alongside Israel on such territory.

Various international instruments reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and were appropriately recalled in the draft’s preambular section, he said.  That section also recalled the July 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the construction of the wall by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which said the wall impeded the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.  In addition, the preambular section also stressed the urgent need to resume negotiations on the basis of previous agreements and the need for the speedy achievement of a just and comprehensive peace settlement.

He urged all States and the United Nations to continue supporting the Palestinian people in the early achievement of self-determination, and hoped that Member States would send a message of solidarity by adopting the resolution by consensus.

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For information media • not an official record