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

Third Committee

42^nd Meeting (PM)

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to hear the introduction of a number of draft resolutions on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; the right of peoples to self-determination; and promotion and protection of human rights.

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Introduction of Draft Resolutions

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Introducing a draft text on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (document A/C.3/66/L.61) on behalf of 98 co-sponsors, the representative of Egypt said that for over six decades, the Palestinian people had been suffering under Israeli occupation.  This fact compelled this draft to be presented once again.  Except for technical updates, it was the same text as the one adopted last year.  Among other things, the text recalled the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice that the separation wall, along with past actions by Israel, severely impeded the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

The operative section reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to their independent State of Palestine.  It called on the United Nations system in their early realization of the right to self-determination.  It was his delegation’s hope that the United Nations membership would send a strong signal of support to the Palestinian people by approving the text by consensus.

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For information media • not an official record