Statement by Mrs.
Somaia Barghouti, Counsellor, before the Third Committee, Agenda Item 115: Right of
peoples to self-determination, 54th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, 25
October 1999: Mr. Chairman,
Agenda item 115,
Right of peoples to self-determination is a very important issue on our agenda
and deserves our full attention. The realization of the right of peoples to
self-determination is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and embodied in human
rights instruments. It is the responsibility
of the international community, mainly the United Nations, to guarantee the enjoyment by
all peoples of this fundamental right. Combating inequality, oppression and securing the
right of peoples to self-determination should be among the international communitys
top priorities. More serious actions are
required in this regard, especially for people living under foreign occupation or alien
domination. Mr. Chairman, The
Palestinian people have for too long suffered from the Israeli occupation and its
oppressive measures. They are still being denied their basic and fundamental right to
self-determination. All the known ills of occupation continue. Israel, the occupying
Power, continues to create new facts on the ground, foremost of which are the illegal
colonial settlements, which represent the antithesis of freedom and self-determination for
the indigenous people. Moreover, the plight of the refugees and displaced persons is
ongoing. They remain deprived not only of
their right to self-determination, but also of their right of return.
At the same
time, let me make it clear that the establishment of the independent State of Palestine,
in exercise of the right of Palestinian people to self-determination, cannot be subject to
any veto neither within the peace process nor outside of it. This is a natural and
inalienable right, which cannot be negated or supplanted.
During the negotiations of the final settlement between the Israeli and
Palestinian sides, the parties will agree on other serious and important issues, including
the exact borders and the relationship between the two states on the basis of
international law and international legitimacy. Based on
the above, Mr. Chairman, we trust that in the Millennium Summit of the General Assembly,
with all of its significant meaning for the international community, Palestine will
participate as a full member of the United Nations. We
are confident of your support in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. |