NEW YORK, 18 December 2020, (TON): United Nation General Assembly on Wednesday adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution on the right to self-determination for the people suffering from foreign, colonial and alien occupation.

The resolution, adopted by the 193-member body on December 16, titled "Universal realisation of the rights of peoples to self-determination", reaffirmed that self-determination is a fundamental condition for effective guarantee and observance, preservation and promotion of human rights for those under colonial, foreign and alien domination.

Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram told APP “This resolution empowers legitimate freedom movements and renews international commitment to help those living under occupation and subjugation.”

“Pakistan will continue to speak up for people who are suffering under foreign occupation,” he declared.

“This has been a corner stone of our foreign policy and we are proud to be a voice of the voiceless,” said Munir Akram.

The UNGA resolution called upon states to "cease immediately their military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories and all acts of repression, discrimination, exploitation and maltreatment, in particular the brutal and inhuman methods reportedly employed in the execution of those acts against the peoples concerned".

The resolution stated that the UN deplores plight of millions of refugees and displaced persons who have been uprooted and reaffirmed their right to voluntary repatriation in "safety and with honour".

The UN Human Rights Council has been requested to continue giving special attention to violation of human rights especially right to self-determination, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been requested to report on this in the General Assembly at the 76th session next year.