The Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) will convene its 2018 Session on 4th October to review the recommendations to advance the self-determination process for the remaining non self-governing territories including the Caribbean and Pacific dependencies administered by European and North American States. Below are extensive excerpts of the Report of the U.N. Secretary-General on "The Right of Peoples to Self-Determination."
The report provides a summary of the main developments relating to the realization of the right to self-determination within the framework of the activities of the U.N. The report also includes reference to the consideration of the issue within the framework of the Human Rights Council, both in its resolutions and in the reports submitted to the Council by special procedures mandate holders and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In addition, it includes reference to concluding observations issued by the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which are based on their consideration of periodic reports submitted by the States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in respect of the implementation of the right of all peoples to self-determination guaranteed in common article 1 of the two Covenants.
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EXCERPTS
General Assembly
During the reporting period, in addition to its resolution on the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination (resolution 72/159), the General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions in which it addressed the issue of self-determination...
In addition, in paragraph 7 (a) of its resolution 72/172, the Assembly affirmed that a democratic and equitable international order required, inter alia, the realization of the right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they could freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Non-Self-Governing Territories
. In its resolution 72/92, the General Assembly reaffirmed the right of the peoples
of Non-Self-Governing Territories to self-determination and their right to the
enjoyment of their natural resources and to dispose of those resources in their best
interest.
It affirmed the value of foreign economic investment undertaken in
collaboration with the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and in
accordance with their wishes in order to make a valid contribution to the
socioeconomic development of the Territories, especially during times of economic
and financial crisis.
It reaffirmed the responsibility of the administering Powers under
the Charter to promote the political, economic, social and educational advanceme nt
of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and reaffirmed the legitimate rights of their
peoples over their natural resources.
The Assembly reaffirmed its concern about any
activities aimed at the exploitation of the natural resources that were the heritage of
the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, including the indigenous
populations, in the Caribbean, the Pacific and other regions, and of their human
resources, to the detriment of their interests, and in such a way as to deprive them of
their right to dispose of those resources.
It reaffirmed the need to avoid any economic
and other activities that adversely affected the interests of the peoples of the Non Self -Governing
Territories, and reminded the administering Powers of their responsibility
and accountability vis-à-vis any detriment to the interests of the peoples of those
Territories.
The Assembly invited all Governments and organizations of the United
Nations system to take all possible measures to ensure that the permanent sovereignty
of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories over their natural resources was fully respected and safeguarded.
It urged the administering Powers concerned to take
effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable right of the peoples of
the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources and to establish and
maintain control over the future development of those resources, and requested the
administering Powers to take all steps necessary to protect the property rights of the
peoples of those Territories.
In its resolution 72/111, the General Assembly called upon the administering
Powers, in accordance with resolutions on decolonization, to take all steps necessary
to enable the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to exercise fully, as soon
as possible, their right to self-determination, including independence, on a case-by-case
basis.
In its resolution 72/94, the Assembly invited all States to make, or continue
to make, offers of study and training facilities to the inhabitants of those Territories
that had not yet attained self-government or independence and, wherever possible, to
provide travel funds to prospective students.
American Samoa
In its resolution 72/96 on the question of American Samoa, the General
Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of American Samoa to self-determination,
and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of American
Samoa to determine freely their future political status.
In that connection, the
Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial
Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political
education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the
people of their right to self-determination.
It took note of the work of the territorial
Government with respect to moving forward on political status, local autonomy and
self-governance issues with a view to making political and economic progress.
In its resolution 72/97 on the question of Anguilla, the General Assembly
reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Anguilla to self-determination, and
also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Anguilla to determine freely
their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the
administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate
bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for
the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/98 on the question of Bermuda, the General Assembly
reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Bermuda to self-determination, and
also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Bermuda to determine freely
their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/99 on the question of the British Virgin Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/100 on the question of the Cayman Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the Cayman Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the Cayman Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/101 on the question of French Polynesia, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of French Polynesia to self- determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of French Polynesia to determine freely their future political status.
In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of French Polynesia of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options and to intensify its dialogue with French Polynesia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards a fair and effective self-determination process, under which the terms and timelines for an act of self-determination would be agreed.
In its resolution 72/102 on the question of Guam, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Guam to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Guam to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
It called once again on the administering Power to take into consideration the expressed will of the Chamorro people as supported by Guam voters in the referendum of 1987 and as subsequently provided for in Guam law regarding Chamorro self-determination efforts, encouraged the administering Power and the territorial Government to enter into negotiations on the matter and stressed the need for continued close monitoring of the overall situation in the Territory.
In its resolution 72/103 on the question of Montserrat, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Montserrat to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Montserrat to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/104 on the question of New Caledonia, the General Assembly reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of New Caledonia to determine freely and fairly their future political status, and in that connection called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options.
The Assembly expressed the view that adequate measures for conducting the upcoming consultations on access to full sovereignty, including a just, fair, credible and transparent electoral roll, as provided for in the Nouméa Accord, were essential for the conduct of a free, fair and genuine act of self-determination consistent with the Charter and United Nations principles and practices. In that respect, it welcomed the continuous dialogue undertaken by the parties within the framework of the Committee of Signatories to the Nouméa Accord to establish the parameters for the conduct of a conclusive act of self-determination, including the setting of an electoral roll, as provided for in the Accord. It called upon the administering Power to consider developing an education programme to inform the people of New Caledonia about the nature of self-determination so that they might be better prepared to face a future decision on the matter.
The Assembly urged all the parties involved, in the interest of the people of New Caledonia and within the framework of the Nouméa Accord, to maintain their dialogue in a spirit of harmony and mutual respect in order to continue to promote a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self-determination in which all options were open and the rights of all sectors of the population would be safeguarded, based on the principle that it was for the people of New Caledonia to choose how to determine their destiny.
In its resolution 72/105 on the question of Pitcairn, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Pitcairn to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Pitcairn to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination. It welcomed all efforts by the administering Power and the territorial Government to further devolve operational responsibilities to the Territory, with a view to gradually expanding self-government, including through the training of local personnel.
In its resolution 72/106 on the question of Saint Helena, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Saint Helena to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Saint Helena to determine freely their future political status.
In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
In its resolution 72/107 on the question of Tokelau, the General Assembly acknowledged the decision of the General Fono in 2008 that consideration of any future act of self-determination by Tokelau would be deferred. It welcomed the cooperative attitude of the other States and territories in the region towards Tokelau and their support for its economic and political aspirations and its increasing participation in regional and international affairs.
In its resolution 72/108 on the question of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
25. In its resolution 72/109 on the question of the United States Virgin Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the United States Virgin Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the United States Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
French Polynesia
In its resolution 72/101 on the question of French Polynesia, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of French Polynesia to self- determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of French Polynesia to determine freely their future political status.
In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of French Polynesia of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options and to intensify its dialogue with French Polynesia in order to facilitate rapid progress towards a fair and effective self-determination process, under which the terms and timelines for an act of self-determination would be agreed.
Guam
In its resolution 72/102 on the question of Guam, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Guam to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Guam to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
It called once again on the administering Power to take into consideration the expressed will of the Chamorro people as supported by Guam voters in the referendum of 1987 and as subsequently provided for in Guam law regarding Chamorro self-determination efforts, encouraged the administering Power and the territorial Government to enter into negotiations on the matter and stressed the need for continued close monitoring of the overall situation in the Territory.
Montserrat
In its resolution 72/103 on the question of Montserrat, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Montserrat to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Montserrat to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
New Caledonia
In its resolution 72/104 on the question of New Caledonia, the General Assembly reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of New Caledonia to determine freely and fairly their future political status, and in that connection called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options.
The Assembly expressed the view that adequate measures for conducting the upcoming consultations on access to full sovereignty, including a just, fair, credible and transparent electoral roll, as provided for in the Nouméa Accord, were essential for the conduct of a free, fair and genuine act of self-determination consistent with the Charter and United Nations principles and practices. In that respect, it welcomed the continuous dialogue undertaken by the parties within the framework of the Committee of Signatories to the Nouméa Accord to establish the parameters for the conduct of a conclusive act of self-determination, including the setting of an electoral roll, as provided for in the Accord. It called upon the administering Power to consider developing an education programme to inform the people of New Caledonia about the nature of self-determination so that they might be better prepared to face a future decision on the matter.
The Assembly urged all the parties involved, in the interest of the people of New Caledonia and within the framework of the Nouméa Accord, to maintain their dialogue in a spirit of harmony and mutual respect in order to continue to promote a framework for the peaceful progress of the Territory towards an act of self-determination in which all options were open and the rights of all sectors of the population would be safeguarded, based on the principle that it was for the people of New Caledonia to choose how to determine their destiny.
Pitcairn
In its resolution 72/105 on the question of Pitcairn, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Pitcairn to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Pitcairn to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination. It welcomed all efforts by the administering Power and the territorial Government to further devolve operational responsibilities to the Territory, with a view to gradually expanding self-government, including through the training of local personnel.
Saint Helena
In its resolution 72/106 on the question of Saint Helena, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Saint Helena to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of Saint Helena to determine freely their future political status.
In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
Tokelau
In its resolution 72/107 on the question of Tokelau, the General Assembly acknowledged the decision of the General Fono in 2008 that consideration of any future act of self-determination by Tokelau would be deferred. It welcomed the cooperative attitude of the other States and territories in the region towards Tokelau and their support for its economic and political aspirations and its increasing participation in regional and international affairs.
Turks and Caicos
In its resolution 72/108 on the question of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
U.S. Virgin Islands
25. In its resolution 72/109 on the question of the United States Virgin Islands, the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of the United States Virgin Islands to self-determination, and also reaffirmed that it was ultimately for the people of the United States Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status. In that connection, the Assembly called upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
