Pacific Network calls for United Nations inscription of Rapanui (Easter Island) as non self-governing territory

Santi Hitorangi
Moana Nui/Rapa Nui

United Nations Millennium Development Goals

Eighth session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals

Agenda Item

Rule of Law and Governance

We seek admission to the U.N. list of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGT), and join the ranks of our Pacific brothers and sisters from American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Pitcairn and Tokelau, working to create conditions for self-determination in accordance with UN GA Resolution 1514, “The Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples. “

Unlike Hawaii, and West Papua who seek re-enlistment to the NSGT list, Rapanui was never registered as a territory to the United Nations.

In 1946, when the signers of the United Nations were required to list their territories, the Administering Powers of 74 territories were placed on the NSGT list. The Administering Powers who listed their territories were Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Worldatlas.com

As an Administering Power, we ask why Chile never reported or listed Rapanui.

In 1946, despite formally replying to the Secretary-General’s questions on the administration of territories as covered by Chapter XI, we ask why Chile did not fulfill their obligation alongside the other Administering Powers, and list Rapanui as a Non-Self-Governing Territory.

We find the knowing omission of this obligation as being akin to fraud, and demand that this knowing omission of facts be corrected.

Chile has violated the trust mandate of the UN Charter, Chapter XI, by not assuming responsibilities for the administration of Rapanui, whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.

Chile has failed to recognize the interests of the inhabitants of Rapanui as being paramount, and they have failed to accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost, within the system of international peace and security established by the present Charter, the well-being of the inhabitants of Rapanui, and, to this end:

Chile has failed to ensure, with due respect for the culture of the Rapanui, our political, economic, social, and educational advancement, our just treatment, and protection against abuses;

Chile has failed to develop Rapanui self-government, and failed to take due account of the political aspirations of Rapanui, and to assist us in the progressive development of our free political institutions, according to our distinct culture as Pacific Islanders belonging to Polynesia.

What Chile has done in the past, however, is to promote confusion as to our history and to whether we Rapanui even exist. While even now, they continue to sponsor programs that fabricate our history, as well as claim our ecological and environmental resources and cultural artifacts.

Chilean armed forces continue to be deployed on our island.

Chile is encouraging unchecked immigration to the island.

Chile is promoting unsustainable development on our island, which is a UN world heritage site, while privatizing our customary lands and resources.

Bearing in mind the principles embodied in the Declaration regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories and objectives set forth in Chapter XI of the Charter, we are ready to submit all the factors and criteria to be taken into account in deciding whether Rapa Nui is a territory, whose people have not attained a full measure of self-government.

Moana Nui, a network of Pacific-wide rights-holders focusing on justice issues concerning resources, trade, militarization and indigenous rights.