EU Explanation of Vote – UN General Assembly: Right of peoples to self-determination

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

The resolution on “Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination” has been adopted by consensus by the Third Committee for over a decade.

As the resolution – as in previous years - is a technical roll-over, the text is essentially the same as last year, when it was adopted without a vote in this Committee.

We thank the facilitators from Pakistan for their work and we regret that a vote has been called on this normally consensual resolution. 

As stated before, we believe this undermines our collective effort and the constructive spirit of striving for consensus that has been a tradition in this committee. 

The EU and its Member States have long-standing concerns regarding the text of the resolution: it is too narrow and does not reflect clearly the practice of self-determination under international law. The right itself as stated in the International Covenants is a right that attaches only to "peoples", not to "nations". We also do not agree that self-determination as such is a pre-condition for the enjoyment of other human rights.

While we may not like everything in this resolution, the EU and its Member States are committed to uphold the constructive and collaborative spirit of the Third Committee and to defend our shared values, principles and longstanding agreed language, reflected in the text. 

The Member States of the European Union will therefore vote YES on resolution A/C.3/80/L.53 and we strongly encourage others to do the same.

Thank you.