WASHINGTON DC: The United Nations Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural), during its 55th meeting on November 17, 2023, endorsed a draft resolution on the global realization of the right to self-determination for all people. According to the text, the Assembly would call on those States responsible to cease military interventions and occupations of foreign countries and territories, as well as the brutal methods employed against the populations.
Under the terms of the draft resolution, the General Assembly would reaffirm the universal realization of the rights of all peoples, including those under colonial, foreign, and alien domination, to self-determination as a fundamental condition for upholding human rights.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, of the ‘World Forum for Peace and Justice’ stated that “This is one more promise given to the people of occupied lands, including Kashmir that cannot be kept. He highlighted the recurring theme of broken promises in Kashmir’s history and the disappointments they have caused.
And, if we were to judge the United Nations based on its history of involvement in efforts to resolve global conflicts, Dr Fai added, the simplest answer is that it has been an enormous failure. He pointed to instances such as Srebrenica, Rwanda, Palestine, and Kashmir, emphasizing the prolonged conflict in Kashmir and the ongoing occupation by the Indian military and paramilitary forces, posing a potential threat of genocide, as cautioned by Dr. Gregory Stanton, Chairman of Genocide Watch.
Dr. Fai also critiqued the United Nations’ historical role in resolving international conflicts, labelling it a substantial failure. He pointed to instances such as Srebrenica, Rwanda, Palestine, and Kashmir, emphasizing the prolonged conflict in Kashmir and the ongoing occupation by the Indian military and paramilitary forces, posing a potential threat of genocide, as cautioned by Dr. Gregory Stanton, Chairman of Genocide Watch.
Reflecting on historical events, Dr. Fai recounted the broken promises over Kashmir since the lapse of British paramountcy in 1947, emphasizing the unfulfilled commitment to a popular referendum for Kashmir’s self-determination. He highlighted subsequently broken promises, including India’s resolutions in 1948 and 1949 and commitments in 1966 and 1972, which were never honoured.
Expressing frustration with the United Nations’ lack of initiative, Dr. Fai called for a constructive departure, proposing a return to the original focus on the rights and interests of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He suggested a tripartite negotiation involving India, Pakistan, and the genuine leadership of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, aiming to reclaim the historical agreement between India and Pakistan.
In response, Ambassador A. Gopinathan, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, affirmed India’s commitment to the universal realization of the right to self-determination. However, he introduced a caveat, suggesting that self-determination in today’s world implies the right to participate in freely-held elections, a notion that raised concerns about the sincerity of India’s commitment to Kashmir’s autonomy.
Finally, Dr. Fai suggested that it is high time that the United Nations (U.N) try to make a constructive departure. The best point for doing so is to restore the focus where it originally belonged and where it still rests logically viz: the rights and interests of the people of all zones of the State of Jammu & Kashmir itself. No sleight of hand is required, no subtle concepts are to be deployed, and no ingenious deal needs to be struck between India and Pakistan. What is needed is going back — yes, going back — to the point of agreement which historically existed beyond doubt between India and Pakistan and jointly resolving to retrieve it with such modifications as proposed by the Kashmir leadership – the tripartite negotiations between India, Pakistan and the genuine leadership of the people of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
