9 December 2011
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| Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York |
Sixty-sixth General AssemblyPlenary81st Meeting (AM)
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON RECOMMENDATION OF FOURTH COMMITTEE, ADOPTS 26 TEXTS,
INCLUDING 9 ON ARAB‑ISRAELI CONFLICT, 11 ON DECOLONIZATION
Consensus Eludes Assembly on Texts Concerning Middle East, FiveOn Decolonization, including on Implementation of Decolonization Declaration
_____________________________________________________________________________Acting on the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), the General Assembly this morning adopted 24 resolutions and two decisions, nine among them concerning the Arab‑Israeli conflict, with others focused on decolonization, outer space, atomic radiation, information and public outreach, and peacekeeping. Recorded votes were required for more than half.
As in past years, the updated but traditional resolutions on the Middle East forwarded to the world body by the Fourth Committee required recorded votes. Of the five texts contained in the Report of the Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian Peoples and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, three contained provisions that focused on Israeli settlement activities.
In one such text, the Assembly, bearing in mind the “extremely detrimental” impact of Israeli settlement policies, decisions and activities on efforts to resume and advance the peace process, reiterated its demand for the immediate and complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.
By further terms of that resolution, the Assembly called upon Israel to comply strictly with its obligations under international law, with respect to the alteration of the character, status and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
It was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Panama, Vanuatu). (For details of the voting, see Annex VII.)
With 72 delegations abstaining from the vote on the traditional text on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, the resolution only garnered the support of little more than half those voting, with 86 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, Panama, Nauru, United States), with 75 abstentions. (Annex V)
Drawing broader support were three more texts on Israeli practices: on the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war, practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Territory, including East Jerusalem; and the occupied Syrian Golan.
Also adopted were four texts on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), specifically concerning: UNRWA’s operations (Annex III); persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (Annex II); assistance to Palestine refugees (Annex I); and entitlement of the Palestine refugees to their property and to the income derived therefrom (Annex IV).
In the text on UNRWA’s operations, the Assembly, deploring the endangerment of the safety of the Agency’s staff and the damage and destruction caused to the facilities and properties of the Agency, urged the Government of Israel to expeditiously reimburse the Agency for all transit charges incurred and other financial losses sustained as a result of delays and restrictions on movement and access.
By further terms of that draft, the Assembly urged the Government of Israel to cease obstructing the movement and access of the staff, vehicles and supplies of the Agency and to cease the levying of taxes, extra fees and charges, which affect the Agency’s operations detrimentally. It also urged all Member States to carefully consider the Agency’s proposal for support by the Secretary‑General of the institutional strengthening of the Agency through the provision of financial resources from the regular budget of the United Nations.
That resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu). (Annex III)
Taking up 11 decolonization texts, the Assembly adopted five by recorded votes, including one related to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, another on the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations, a third on dissemination of information on decolonization, a fourth on information from Non‑Self‑Governing Territories, and a fifth on economic and other activities.
Again reaching consensus on a draft resolution on the question of Western Sahara, the Assembly called upon the parties to cooperate with the Secretary‑General and his personal envoy as well as with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and further called upon them to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted a resolution related to Tokelau, noting New Zealand’s exemplary cooperation and ongoing recognition of the complete right of the people of Tokelau to undertake the act of self‑determination when they considered it to be appropriate.
The Assembly also passed by consensus a draft decision on the question of Gibraltar, by which it urged both Governments, while listening to the interests and aspirations of Gibraltar, to reach, in the spirit of the statement of 27 November 1984, a definitive solution to the question of Gibraltar.
Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted a resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, by which it urged States that have not yet become parties to the international treaties governing the uses of outer space to give consideration to ratifying or acceding to those treaties in accordance with their domestic laws, as well as incorporating them in their national legislation.
Further to that text, the Assembly urged all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space as an essential condition for the promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
By further provisions of that draft, the Assembly welcomed the continuous progress made by the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems towards achieving compatibility and interoperability among global and regional space‑based positioning, navigation and timing systems and in the promotion of the use of global navigation satellite systems and their integration into national infrastructure, particularly in developing countries.
Also by consensus, the Assembly adopted two draft resolutionsrelating to information. By the terms of one text, it urged all countries, organizations of the United Nations system as a whole and all others concerned to disseminate information and communicate their views and their cultural and ethical values through endogenous cultural production, as well as to ensure the diversity of sources and their free access to information, towards “a new world information and communication order, seen as an evolving and continuous process”.
In further action, the Assembly adopted a text on the effects of atomic radiation, by which it requested the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources. It encouraged Member States to make voluntary contributions to the general trust fund established to support the work of the Scientific Committee, and decided to increase the membership of the Committee from 21 to 27 States, inviting Belarus, Finland, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Spain and Ukraine to become full members. Each of those Governments would then be requested by the Scientific Committee to designate one scientist, with alternates and consultants, to be its representative.
The Assembly also adopted the Committee’s programme of work for the sixty‑seventh session, without a vote, and took note of the Fourth Committee’s report on a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects.
The Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee, Hasan Abdulhasan ( Kuwait ), introduced that body’s reports.
The representatives of Iran and Israel spoke in explanation of position on the Fourth Committee texts.
The General Assembly will reconvene today at 3 p.m. to consider the reports of the Sixth Committee (Legal).
Background
The General Assembly met this morning to take up the reports of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), which contain 24 draft resolutions and two draft decisions.
Topics covered in the Fourth Committee include effects of atomic radiation (item 50); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (item 51); United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (item 52); report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (item 53); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (item 54); questions relating to information (item 55); Assistance in mine action (item 49); decolonization issues (items 56‑60); revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (item 121); and programme planning (item 135).
Decolonization issues before the Assembly included information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (item 56); economic and other activities which affect the interest of the peoples of the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (item 57); implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (item 58); offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (item 59); and implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (item 60).
Committee Reports
The Assembly also had before it a report on assistance in mine action (document A/66/423) containing a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would urge all States to provide assistance to countries affected by mines and explosive remnants of war and to support national programmes in that regard. It would also urge States to provide reliable, predictable and timely contributions for mine‑action activities, as well as necessary information and technical, financial and material assistance to locate, remove, destroy and otherwise render ineffective minefields, mines, booby traps, other devices and explosive remnants of war.
That text would also have the Assembly urge all mine‑affected States to identify all areas under their jurisdiction or control containing mines and other explosive remnants of war. The Assembly would stress the importance of cooperation and coordination in mine action, and emphasizes the primary responsibility of national authorities in that regard.
The Committee approved that draft resolution without a vote on 28 October. (See Press Release GA/SPD/494)
Also before the Assembly was a report on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/66/424) containing a draft resolution of the same name, by which it would request the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources.
By other provisions, the Assembly would encourage Member States to make voluntary contributions to the general trust fund established to support the work of the Scientific Committee, and decide to increase the membership of the Committee from 21 to 27 States.
The Committee approved that text on 10 November without a vote. (Press Release GA/SPD/499)
Also before the Assembly was a report on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/66/425). By the resolution contained therein, the Assembly would urge States that have not yet become parties to the international treaties governing the uses of outer space to give consideration to ratifying or acceding to those treaties in accordance with their domestic laws, as well as incorporating them in their national legislation.
Also by that text, the Assembly would urges all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space as an essential condition for the promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
By further provisions of that draft, the Assembly would welcome the continuous progress made by the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems towards achieving compatibility and interoperability among global and regional space‑based positioning, navigation and timing systems and in the promotion of the use of global navigation satellite systems and their integration into national infrastructure, particularly in developing countries.
The Committee approved the draft resolution without a vote on 18 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/486)
The report on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/66/426) contains four draft resolutions, all of which were approved by a recorded vote on 10 November. (Press Release GA/SPD/499)
Draft I, on assistance to Palestine refugees, would have the Assembly call upon all donors to continue to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of UNRWA, including with regard to increased expenditures arising from the serious socio‑economic and humanitarian situation and instability in the region, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and those mentioned in recent emergency appeals.
The draft was approved by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 9 abstentions ( Canada, Ecuador, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States, Vanuatu, Haiti).
By the terms of draft II, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, the Assembly would stress the necessity for an accelerated return of displaced persons, and call for compliance with the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article XII of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self‑Government Arrangements of 13 September 1993 on the return of displaced persons. It would also strongly appeal to all Governments, organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency and to the other intergovernmental and non‑governmental organizations concerned.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Haiti, Panama, Vanuatu).
By draft III, on operations of UNRWA, the Assembly would urge the Government of Israel to expeditiously reimburse the Agency for all transit charges incurred and other financial losses sustained as a result of delays and restrictions on movement and access, and to cease obstructing the movement and access of the staff, vehicles and supplies of the Agency and to cease the levying of taxes, extra fees and charges, which affect the Agency’s operations detrimentally.
By further provisions, it would reiterate its call on Israel to fully lift the restrictions impeding the import of necessary construction materials and supplies for the reconstruction and repair of thousands of damaged or destroyed refugee shelters.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu).
Draft IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, would have the Assembly urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides to deal with that important issue within the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Cameroon, Haiti, Vanuatu).
The Committee’s report on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (documentA/66/427) contains five draft resolutions, all of which were approved by recorded vote on 10 November. (Press Release GA/SPD/499)
By draft I, entitled Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, the Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cooperate, in accordance with its obligations as a Member State of the United Nations, with the Special Committee.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Panama, United States), with 72 abstentions.
By the terms of draft II, on the Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, the Assembly would demand that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and that it comply scrupulously with the provisions of the Convention.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Vanuatu).
By draft III, on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would reiterate its demand for the immediate and complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.
The text was approved by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 5 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Panama, Vanuatu).
Draft IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, would have the Assembly demand that Israel cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people, including the killing and injury of civilians, the arbitrary detention and imprisonment of civilians and the destruction and confiscation of civilian property.
The draft text was approved by a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Panama, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Vanuatu).
According to draft V, on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call upon Israel to comply with the relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular, Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council, inter alia, decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect.
That text was approved by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 11 abstentions.
Next, the Assembly had before it the Fourth Committee’s report on the Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/66/428), on which no proposal was submitted.
The report on questions relating to information (document A/66/429) contains two draft resolutions, which were approved, without a vote, on 20 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/488)
By the terms of draft A, information in the service of humanity, the Assembly would urge all countries, organizations of the United Nations system as a whole and all others concerned to disseminate information and communicate their views and their cultural and ethical values through endogenous cultural production, as well as to ensure the diversity of sources and their free access to information, towards “a new world information and communication order, seen as an evolving and continuous process”.
The report also contains draft resolution B, on United Nations public information policies and activities, by which the Committee would have the Assembly request the Secretary‑General, in respect of the those policies and activities, to continue to implement fully the recommendations contained in relevant resolutions. It would further have the Assembly request the Department of Public Information to maintain its commitment to a culture of evaluation and to continue to evaluate its products and activities with the objective of enhancing their effectiveness, and to undertake endeavours related to bridging the digital divide, supporting United Nations Information Centres, providing strategic communications services, and other measures, including in regards to United Nations peacekeeping.
The Fourth Committee’s report on information from Non‑Self‑Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/66/430) contains a resolution of the same name, by which the Assembly would request the administrating Powers concerned to transmit, or continue to transmit, regularly to the Secretary‑General information relating to economic, social and educational conditions in the Territories, for which they are responsible.
By further provisions, the Assembly would also request the fullest possible information on political and constitutional developments in the Territories concerned, within a maximum period of six months following the expiration of the administrative year in those Territories.
The Committee approved that text by a recorded vote of 131 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions ( France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States, United Republic of Tanzania) on 11 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/483)
The Fourth Committee’s report on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (document A/66/431) contains a draft resolution of the same name, by which the Assembly would reaffirm the right of peoples of Non‑Self‑Governing Territories to self‑determination in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as well as their right to enjoy and dispose of their natural resources in their best interest.
The Committee approved the text by a recorded vote of 144 in favour to 2 against ( Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions ( France, United Kingdom) on 11 October. (Press ReleaseGA/SPD/483)
Also before the Assembly was the Committee’s report on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/66/432), which contains a resolution of the same name, by which the Assembly would recommend that all States intensify their efforts in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system in which they were members to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), and other relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Committee approved that draft text by a recorded vote of 101 in favour to none against, with 51 abstentions on 11 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/483)
The report on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (document A/66/433) contains one draft resolution, by which the Assembly would urge the administering Powers to take effective measures to ensure the widespread and continuous dissemination in the Territories under their administration of information relating to offers of study and training facilities made by States.
The draft was approved without a vote on 10 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/482)
The report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/66/434) contains six draft resolutions and one draft decision.
By the terms of draft resolution I, on the question of Western Sahara, the Assembly would call upon the parties to cooperate with the Secretary‑General and his personal envoy as well as with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and further call upon them to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Committee approved that resolution without a vote on 10 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/482)
By draft II, on the question of New Caledonia, the Assembly would urge all the parties involved to maintain, in the framework of the Nouméa Accord, their dialogue in a spirit of harmony and in this context welcomed the unanimous agreement, reached in Paris on 8 December 2008, on the transfer of powers to New Caledonia in 2009 and the conduct of provincial elections in May 2009.
The Committee approved that text without a vote on 10 October (Press Release GA/SPD/482).
By the terms of draft III, on the question of Tokelau, the Assembly would note New Zealand’s exemplary cooperation and ongoing recognition of the complete right of the people of Tokelau to undertake the act of self‑determination when they consider it to be appropriate.
Acting without a vote, the Committee approved the text on 10 October (Press Release GA/SPD/482).
Draft IV, which concerns the questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands, would have the Assembly call upon the administering Powers to participate in and cooperate fully with the work of the Special Committee, and would request the Territories and the administering Powers to take all measures necessary to protect and conserve the environment of the Territories.
By further provisions, the Assembly, would stress the importance of implementing the plan of action for the Second and Third International Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism, as well as the importance of the various constitutional exercises in the respective Territories administered by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, and led by the territorial Governments, designed to address internal constitutional structures within the present territorial arrangements. It would decide to follow closely the developments concerning the future political status of those Territories.
Also by that text, the Assembly would reiterate its request that the Human Rights Committee collaborate with the Special Committee with the aim of exchanging information, including political and constitutional developments, in many of the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories that are within the purview of the Special Committee.
The Committee approved that text as a whole without a vote on 10 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/482)
According to draft V, on dissemination of information on decolonization, the Assembly would request the Department of Public Information to continue its efforts to update web‑based information on the assistance programmes available to the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories, and also request the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Public Information to implement the recommendations of the Special Committee and to continue their efforts to take measures through all the media available.
The Committee approved the text by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 3 against ( Israel, United Kingdom, United States) with 1 abstention ( France), on 11 October. (Press ReleaseGA/SPD/483)
By the terms of draft VI, on the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, the Assembly would request the Special Committee to continue to seek suitable means for the immediate and full implementation of the Declaration and to carry out the actions approved by the General Assembly regarding the Second and Third International Decades for the Eradication of Colonialism in all Territories that have not yet exercised their right to self‑determination, including independence.
The Committee approved the text by a recorded vote of 101 in favour to none against, with 51 abstentions, on 11 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/483)
By the draft decision on the question of Gibraltar, the Assembly would urge both Governments, while listening to the interests and aspirations of Gibraltar, to reach, in the spirit of the statement of 27 November 1984, a definitive solution to the question of Gibraltar.
The Committee approved the text without a vote on 10 October. (Press Release GA/SPD/482)
Also before the Assembly was the Fourth Committee’s report on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/66/435) containing a draft decision.
Action on Fourth Committee Texts
Hasan Abdulhasan ( Kuwait), Rapporteur, introduced the reports for the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).
The Assembly first took up the report on the assistance in mine action (document A/66/423), and adopted the draft resolution contained therein without a vote.
Next, the Assembly took up the report on the effects of atomic radiation (document A/66/424), and adopted the draft resolution contained therein, also without a vote.
Turning to the report on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/66/425), the Assembly adopted the draft text contained therein, also without a vote.
The Assembly next turned to the report on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/66/426).
It adopted draft resolution I, on assistance to Palestine refugees, by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 8 abstentions ( Cameroon, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Palau, Nauru, United States). (For details of the vote, please see Annex I.)
Next, it adopted draft resolution II, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Vanuatu, Cameroon, Panama). (Annex II)
After that, the Assembly adopted draft resolution III, onUNRWA’s operations, by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, , Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu). (Annex III)
The Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, by recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu). (Annex IV)
Continuing, the Assembly turned its attention to the report on the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs o the Occupied Territories (document A/66/427), adopting draft resolution I, on the work of the Special Committee, by a recorded vote of 86 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, Panama, Nauru, United States), with 75 abstentions. (Annex V)
It then adopted draft resolution II, on the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Vanuatu). (Annex VI)
Turning next to draft III, on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly adopted that text by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 7 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Panama, Vanuatu). (Annex VII)
Draft IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, was adopted by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 9 against (Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Canada, Panama, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Vanuatu). (Annex VIII)
Draft V, on the occupied Syrian Golan, was also adopted, by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 1 against ( Israel), with 11 abstentions. (Annex IX)
Speaking in explanation of vote, the representative of Iran said his delegation had voted in favour of all draft resolutions under agenda item 53, including resolutions Drafts I through V from report A/66/427 concerning Israeli practices, in order to join other members of the General Assembly in showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. He emphasized that Iran would maintain its long‑standing position on the resolutions relating to the Palestinian issue.
Explaining his delegation’s position “more clearly” concerning the resolutions and certain paragraphs contained therein, he said that to the knowledge of all, Iran had been unwavering in its support for the Palestinian people and their endeavours to attain their national goals and aspirations, including the full exercise of their right to self‑determination, and had genuinely supported the legal and democratic government of Palestine. Iran continued to emphasize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, who had been suffering from the occupation and suppressions for decades.
He said Iran believed that the settlement of the Palestinian crisis would be achievable only if the inalienable rights of the people of occupied Palestine were fully recognized. Due to the lack of attention to the root causes of the crisis, it had remained unsolved for more than six decades. Those causes included the continued occupation of the Palestinian and other occupied territories by the Zionist regime, as well as the persistent violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self‑determination, especially the legitimate and inalienable right of return of the Palestinian refugees.
Durable peace in Palestine would be possible through justice, an end to discrimination, an end to occupation of all Palestinians territories, the return of all Palestinian refugees to their homeland and the establishment of a democratic Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, he added.
Also speaking in explanation of position after the vote, the representative of Israel said that, year after year, the Assembly “rubber stamped” the resolutions on Israeli practices, which distorted the truth and undermined the credibility of that body. She thanked the Member States that had stood up against those “destructive resolutions”, and hoped that more would do so in the future.
The Assembly then took note of the report on the Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (documentA/66/428).
Taking up the report on questions relating to information (document A/66/429), it adopted its draft resolution I, on Information in the service of humanity, and draft resolution II, on United Nations public information policies and activities, without a vote.
Turning to the report on Information from Non‑Self‑Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/66/430), the Assembly adopted the resolution by the same name contained therein by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States). (Annex X)
The Assembly, taking up the report on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (document A/66/431), adopted a draft resolution by the same name, by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 2 abstentions (France, United Kingdom). (Annex XI)
The Assembly then took up the report on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/66/432), adopting the draft resolution by the same name by a recorded vote of 115 in favour to none against, with 56 abstentions. (Annex XII)
The Assembly then turned to the report on offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non‑Self‑Governing Territories (document A/66/433), adopting the draft resolution contained therein, without a vote.
Next, the Assembly took up the report on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/66/434), which contained six draft resolutions and one draft decision.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution I, on the question of Western Sahara, draft resolution II, on the question of New Caledonia, draft resolution III, on the question of Tokelau, and a two‑part draft resolution IV, on the questions of American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
The Assembly adopted draft resolution V, on the dissemination of information on decolonization, by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 3 against ( Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 2 abstentions ( Belgium, France). (Annex XIII)
The Assembly then adopted draft resolution VI, on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, by a recorded vote of 168 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 1 abstention (France). (Annex XIV)
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft decision on the question of Gibraltar.
Turning next to the report on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/66/435), it adopted the draft decision contained therein, also without a vote.
Finally, the Assembly adopted the report on programme planning (document A/66/436) also without a vote, thus concluding its consideration of the reports of the Fourth Committee.
Votes on Decolonization Resolutions (emphasis added)
Vote on Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
The draft resolution on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under Article 73 e of the United Nations Charter (document A/66/430) was adopted by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstain: France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States.
Absent: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania.
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Vote on Economic and Other Activities Affecting Non-Self-Governing Territories
The draft resolution on economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/66/431) was adopted by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 2 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Israel, United States.
Abstain: France, United Kingdom.
Absent: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Kiribati, Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania.
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Vote on Implementation of the Decolonization Declaration by Specialized Agencies
The draft resolution on Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/66/432) was adopted by a recorded vote of 115 in favour to none against, with 56 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: None.
Abstain: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu.
Absent: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Iran, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania.
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Vote on Dissemination of Information on Decolonization
The draft resolution on dissemination of information on decolonization (document A/66/434) was adopted by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 3 against, with 2 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Israel, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstain: Belgium, France.
Absent: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States of), Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu.
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Vote on Implementation of Decolonization Declaration
The draft resolution on implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/66/434) was adopted by a recorded vote of 168 in favour to 3 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Against: Israel, United Kingdom, United States.
Abstain: France.
Absent: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States of), Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Palau, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania.
