Resolution backed by 65 nations reaffirms rights of peoples under foreign occupation, including Kashmir and Palestine.
NEW YORK: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Nov,19, 2025) A United Nations committee has unanimously approved a Pakistan-sponsored resolution reaffirming the right to self-determination for peoples still living under colonial, foreign or alien occupation.
The resolution — jointly presented by 65 countries — was introduced by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aamir Iftikhar Ahmed, before the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues.
Pakistan underscored that the right to self-determination remains central to the UN Charter and its founding principles. Since 1981, Pakistan has consistently presented this resolution to draw global attention to peoples still denied this inherent right, including Palestinians and Kashmiris.
The resolution is expected to go before the UN General Assembly for formal adoption next month. It calls on the 193-member Assembly to strongly oppose foreign military interventions and occupations that suppress the right to self-determination and urges responsible states to immediately halt such actions.
Presenting the resolution, Ambassador Aamir Iftikhar highlighted that many people continue to live under foreign occupation and are denied basic freedoms. He said their legitimate aspirations are often met with excessive force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, communication blockades and demographic engineering, including illegal settlements.
The resolution reaffirms the universal realization of self-determination as essential for protecting fundamental human rights. It condemns foreign aggression and occupation, noting that such actions continue to suppress rights in several regions.
It further calls on relevant states to end military interventions, repression, discrimination and exploitation, and expresses concern for millions of refugees displaced by such actions. The resolution endorses their right to voluntary, safe and dignified return.
The Human Rights Council has been urged to pay special attention to violations arising from foreign occupation, while the UN Secretary-General has been requested to report on the matter at the next session.
