Delegates Also Pass Drafts on Atomic Radiation, Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Upon the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Special Political
and Decolonization), the General Assembly adopted 36 resolutions and
4 decisions today, on issues relating to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and decolonization, among others.
On Israel-Palestine issues, the Assembly adopted 9 resolutions, all
by recorded vote. Among them was the text “Operations of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”
which it adopted by a recorded 159 votes in favour to 5 against
(Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
United States), with 12 abstentions.
By the terms of that text, the Assembly expressed deep concern over
the critical financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), caused by
structural underfunding as well as rising needs and expenditures
resulting from deteriorating socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions.
It also expressed concern over attempts to discredit the Agency despite
its proven operational capacity, record of effectively providing
humanitarian and development assistance, and consistent implementation
of its mandate.
The Assembly also adopted the resolution “Work of the Special
Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of
the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, by
a recorded vote of 78 in favour to 10 against (Australia, Canada,
Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, United States), with
84 abstentions. By that text, the Assembly requested that the Special
Committee continue investigating Israeli policies and practices in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially violations of the Geneva
Convention, as well as the treatment and status of thousands of
prisoners and detainees — including children, women and elected
representatives — inside Israeli prisons and detention centres within
the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
On decolonization questions, the Assembly adopted 21 resolutions and
1 decision. Among the resolutions was the text “Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples”, adopted by a recorded vote of 124 in favour to 8 against (Côte
d’Ivoire, Gabon, Israel, Morocco, Senegal, South Sudan, United Kingdom,
United States), with 46 abstentions. According to its terms, the
Assembly requested that the Special Committee continue to dispatch
visiting and special missions to the Territories, in accordance with the
relevant resolutions. It called upon administering Powers to ensure
that their economic and other activities in the Territories do not
adversely affect the interests of their peoples, but instead promote
development. It also called upon administering Powers to terminate
their military activities and eliminate their military bases in the
Territories.
Also adopted by a recorded vote was a text on dissemination of
information on decolonization, which the Assembly passed by 172 votes in
favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with
3 abstentions (France, Malawi, Togo). By its terms, the Assembly
stressed the importance of visiting missions of the Special Committee on
Decolonization in contributing to the dissemination of decolonization
information. In that regard, the Assembly requested that the Department
of Public Information actively engage and seek new and innovative ways
to disseminate materials to the Non-Self-Governing Territories. It also
requested that the Departments of Political Affairs and Public
Information implement the Special Committee’s recommendations and
continue their efforts to publicize the Organization’s decolonization
efforts.
In other recorded votes, the Assembly adopted texts on assistance to
Palestine refugees; persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and
subsequent hostilities; Palestine refugees’ properties and their
revenues; Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan; Israeli
practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and the
occupied Syrian Golan. It also adopted a text 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 other occupied Arab territories.
The Assembly went on to adopt, also by recorded vote, draft
resolutions on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
transmitted under Article 73(e) of the United Nations Charter; economic
and other activities affecting the interests of the peoples of the
Non-Self-Governing Territories; dissemination of information on
decolonization; and implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
Closely following the Fourth Committee’s recommendations, the
Assembly also adopted, without a vote, a series of annual drafts
relating to the decolonization of specific Non-Self-Governing
Territories. They included texts affirming the right to
self-determination for the peoples of Western Sahara, American Samoa,
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French
Polynesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau,
Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted texts relating to the
University for Peace, the effects of atomic radiation, peaceful uses of
outer space, special political missions, questions of information and
offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants
of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
It took note of a report on the comprehensive review of the whole
question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, without taking
action.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted decisions relating to the
question of Gibraltar and the proposed programme of its own work for
the seventy-fourth session.
Presenting reports for the Assembly’s consideration was the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee.
Cuba’s representative delivered a statement in explanation of position.
The next meeting of the General Assembly will be announced.
Introduction of Reports
LUIS MAURICIO ARANCIBIA FERNÁNDEZ (Bolivia), Rapporteur of the Fourth
Committee, introduced that body’s reports, saying they contain 36 draft
resolutions and 4 draft decisions negotiated over the course of
28 formal meetings. The Committee was able to fulfil the mandate
entrusted to it by the General Assembly, he added, recalling the high
level of cooperation prevailing during its meetings.
Action on Draft Resolutions
The General Assembly met this morning to take action on draft
resolutions and decisions contained in reports of its Fourth Committee
(Special Political and Decolonization) on the following agenda items:
University for Peace (document A/73/470); effects of atomic radiation (document A/73/521); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/73/471); United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/73/523);
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of
the Occupied Territories (document A/73/524); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/73/525); and comprehensive review of special political missions (document A/73/526).
Also awaiting action were the Committee’s reports on: questions relating to information (document A/73/472);
information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under
Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations (document A/73/473); economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/474);
implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to
Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and
international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/73/475); offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/476); implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/73/532); and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/73/533); and programme planning (document A/73/534).
The Assembly began by adopting a draft resolution concerning the
University for Peace (document A/C.4/73/L.7), by which it requests that
the institution find viable ways to further strengthen cooperation with
the United Nations system. It also requests that Member States make
financial contributions that will enable the University to offer its
study programmes to all students wishing to participate, and by
facilitating the institution’s operations in host countries.
Taking up a draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation, the
Assembly retained operative paragraph 21 (e) of the text, deciding to
accept observer delegations as States members of the United Nations
Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation in their fourth
year, with due consideration for a fair degree of participation in
accordance with the Secretary‑General’s suggested framework of
membership criteria and indicators. The Assembly retained that
paragraph by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 2 against (Israel,
United States), with 1 abstention (Sudan).
By the terms of the resolution as a whole (document A/C.4/73/L.9),
adopted without a vote, the General Assembly supports the Scientific
Committee’s intentions and plans for the conduct of its programme of
work, in particular its next periodic global surveys of exposure to
radiation. The Assembly requests that the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) continue, within existing resources, to service the
Scientific Committee, insisting that UNEP take all steps to ensure
continuity. It also requests that any ongoing selection process for a
new Secretary of the Scientific Committee be expedited and managed in a
transparent manner.
Turning to outer space affairs, the Assembly then adopted, without a
vote, the draft resolution “International cooperation in the peaceful
uses of outer space” (document A/C.4/73/L.4). By that text, the General
Assembly recommends that States which have not yet become parties to
the international treaties governing the uses of outer space ratify or
accede to those instruments and incorporate them into national
legislation. By further terms, the Assembly urges all States, in
particular those with major space capabilities, to help prevent an arms
race in outer space.
Also adopted without a vote was the draft decision “Increase in the
membership of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(document A/C.4/73/L.6). By that text, the Assembly takes note of
applications by Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay for
membership in that Committee, and in that context, decides to appoint
them as members.
The General Assembly then took up four draft resolutions relating to
Palestine refugees. By a recorded 163 votes in favour to 2 against
(Israel, United States), with 13 abstentions — it adopted the draft
resolution “Assistance to Palestine refugees” (document A/C.4/73/L.14),
expressing concern over the severe financial crisis confronting the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA) and its negative implications for continued delivery
of its core programmes. The Assembly also expresses grave concern about
the difficult situation of Palestine refugees under occupation,
underlining the importance of assistance and urgent reconstruction
efforts. It calls upon all donors to continue strengthening their
efforts to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs.
By a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States),
with 13 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted the draft “Persons
displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”
(document A/C.4/73/L.15). By its terms, the Assembly reaffirms the
right of all persons displaced because of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence. It
further stresses the need for the accelerated return of those displaced,
strongly appealing to all Governments, organizations and individuals to
contribute generously to UNRWA and others in that regard.
The Assembly went on to adopt the draft “Operations of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”
(A/C.4/73/L.16) by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 5 against
(Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
United States), with 12 abstentions. It expresses deep concern about
UNRWA’s critical financial situation, caused by structural underfunding
as well as rising needs and expenditures resulting from deteriorating
socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions. It also expresses grave
concern over attempts to discredit the Agency despite its proven
operational capacity, record of effectively providing humanitarian and
development assistance, and the consistent implementation of its
mandate. By other terms, the Assembly urges the Government of Israel to
reimburse UNRWA for all transit charges it incurred and other financial
losses it sustained as a result of delays as well as restrictions on
movement and access imposed by that country.
By a recorded 156 votes in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States),
with 14 abstentions, the Assembly went on to adopt the draft “Palestine
refugees’ properties and their revenues” (document A/C.4/73/L.17),
requesting that the Secretary‑General take all appropriate steps to
protect Arab property, assets and property rights within Israel.
Further, it calls upon Israel to render all facilities and assistance to
the Secretary-General in implementation of the draft resolution, and
upon all parties concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any
pertinent information concerning such property inside Israel.
The General Assembly then took up five draft resolutions relating to
Israel’s illegal practices in occupied Palestinian and other Arab
territories. It adopted the draft “Work of the Special Committee to
Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the
Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”
(document A/C.4/73/L.18) by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to
10 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, United
States), with 84 abstentions.
By that text, the General Assembly demands that Israel cooperate, in
accordance with its obligations as a State Member of the United Nations,
with the Special Committee in implementation of its mandate. It
further requests that the Special Committee continue investigating
Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
especially violations of the Geneva Convention, as well as the treatment
and status of thousands of prisoners and detainees — including
children, women and elected representatives — inside Israeli prisons and
detention centres within the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Assembly went on to adopt — by a recorded vote of 158 in favour
to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 14 abstentions — the draft
“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” (document A/C.4/73/L.19).
By that text, the General Assembly demands that Israel accept the de
jure applicability of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories it has
occupied since 1967, and that it comply scrupulously with the provisions
of the Convention. The Assembly also calls upon all High Contracting
Parties to the Convention to continue to exert all efforts to ensure
Israel’s respect for its provisions in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.
The Assembly then adopted the draft “Israeli settlements in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the
occupied Syrian Golan” (document A/C.4/73/L.20) by a recorded 154 votes
in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 15 abstentions. By
its terms, the General Assembly condemns acts of violence, destruction,
harassment, provocation and incitement by Israeli settlers in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also calls for accountability in
relation to the illegal actions perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Taking up the draft “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of
the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem” (document A/C.4/73/L.21), the Assembly adopted it by a
recorded vote of 152 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon
Islands, United States), with 13 abstentions. By its terms, the General
Assembly demands that Israel cease all measures contrary to
international law, as well as discriminatory legislation, policies and
actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also demands that
Israel cease all its settlement activities, construction of the wall and
any other measures aimed at altering the character, status and
demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Further,
the Assembly demands that Israel comply with its obligations under
international law and cease its imposition of prolonged closures and
economic and movement restrictions, including those amounting to a
blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Assembly also adopted — by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to
2 against (Israel, United States), with 22 abstentions, the draft “The
occupied Syrian Golan” (document A/C.4/73/L.22). By that text, the
Assembly calls upon Israel to desist from changing the physical
character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal
status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and, in particular, to desist from
establishing settlements there. It also calls upon Israel to desist
from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens
in the occupied Golan.
Next, the General Assembly took note of the report “Comprehensive
review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their
aspects” (document A/73/525), taking no action.
It then adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution relating to
special political missions (document A/C.4/73/L.8), by which it stresses
the need for the United Nations to continue to improve its capabilities
in the pacific settlement of disputes, including mediation, conflict
prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, for
the maintenance of international peace and security. By other terms,
the Assembly stresses the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation
between special political missions and regional and subregional
organizations. It further requests that the Secretary‑General hold
regular, inclusive and interactive dialogue on overall policy matters
pertaining to special political missions, and reach out to Member States
before holding such dialogue in order to ensure participation.
Turning to questions relating to information, the Assembly adopted
two draft resolutions without a vote. It first adopted draft
resolution A, “Information in the service of humanity”, contained in the
report on the fortieth session of the Committee on Information
(document A/73/21). By its
terms, the General Assembly urges all countries and organizations
concerned to ensure the free and effective performance of journalists’
professional tasks and condemns resolutely all attacks against them. By
other terms, the Assembly further urges States and organizations to
enhance regional efforts and cooperation among developing countries, as
well as cooperation between developed and developing countries, to
strengthen communications capacities and improve media infrastructure,
especially in the areas of training and dissemination of information.
Acting again without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution B,
“United Nations public information policies and activities”, contained
in the same report (document A/73/21). By that text, the Assembly
underlines that reform of the Department of Public Information should
consider the priorities set out by the Committee on Information and the
importance of carrying out appropriate consultations with Member
States. Further, it emphasizes that the Department should maintain and
improve its activities in the areas of special interest to developing
countries where its activities should contribute to bridging the
existing gap between developing and developed countries in the crucial
field of public information and communications.
By the terms of one operative paragraph, the Assembly encourages the
Department to engage in a comprehensive promotional campaign in
preparation for the next Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change — to be held in Katowice,
Poland, from 2 to 14 December 2018 — and the Intergovernmental
Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular
Migration, to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, on 10 and 11 December 2018.
Further by that text, the Assembly underlines the importance of the
Department’s integration of multilingualism into the planning and
implementation of promotional campaigns. It also encourages the
Department to develop partnerships with the private sector and relevant
organizations that promote the official United Nations languages in
order to promote the Organization’s activities in a cost-neutral
manner. By other terms, the Assembly notes with concern that the
multilingual development and enrichment of the United Nations website in
certain official languages has improved at a much slower rate than
expected and urges the Department to advance actions to achieve full
parity among the six official languages on the website.
The Assembly then took up several texts on decolonization. First, it
adopted — by a recorded vote of 178 in favour to 2 against (Israel,
United States), with 3 abstentions (United Kingdom, France, Liberia)— a
draft resolution on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations
(document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.41). By its terms , the General
Assembly requests that the administering Powers transmit — or continue
to transmit — regularly to the Secretary‑General, statistical and other
information of a technical nature relating to the economic, social and
educational conditions in the Territories for which they are
respectively responsible.
In another recorded vote, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution on
economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples
of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/23, chapter XIII,
p.41), by a recorded 175 votes in favour to 2 against (Israel, United
States), with 3 abstentions (France, Liberia, United Kingdom). By that
text, the General Assembly expresses deep concern over the number and
scale of natural disasters and their devastating impact on the
Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean Sea during 2017. It
also expresses concern about activities aimed at exploiting the natural
and human resources of Non-Self-Governing Territories to the detriment
of their inhabitants.
The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution “Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples” (document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.118) by a recorded vote of
124 in favour to 8 against (Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Israel, Morocco,
Senegal, South Sudan, United Kingdom, United States), with
46 abstentions.
According to that text, the General Assembly requests that the
Special Committee continue to dispatch visiting and special missions to
the Territories, in accordance with the relevant resolutions. It calls
upon administering Powers to ensure that their economic and other
activities in the Territories do not adversely affect the interests of
their peoples, but instead promote development. It also calls upon
administering Powers to terminate their military activities and
eliminate military bases in the Territories. By further terms, the
Assembly calls upon administering Powers to ensure that the exploitation
of marine and other natural resources in the Non‑Self‑Governing
Territories do not violate the relevant United Nations resolutions or
adversely affect the interests of the peoples of those Territories. It
also calls on them to provide all necessary assistance to the peoples of
the Non-Self-Governing Territories affected by recent hurricanes in
order to alleviate humanitarian needs in the affected communities,
support recovery and rebuilding efforts, and enhance
emergency-preparedness and risk-reduction capabilities.
The Assembly then adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution on
offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants
of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/C.4/73/L.2).
Also without a vote, it adopted a draft on Western Sahara
(document A/C.4/73/L.3), by which it calls upon all parties concerned as
well as States of the region to cooperate fully with the
Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy and each other.
Acting again without a vote, the Assembly adopted drafts on the
following individual Non‑Self‑Governing Territories: American Samoa,
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French
Polynesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau,
Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands.
The Assembly also adopted, again without a vote, the draft “Question
of Guam” (document A/73/23, page 76), while adopting a proposed
amendment (document A/C.4/73/L.11) to that text by a recorded 51 votes
in favour to 30 against, with 71 abstentions.
It went on to adopt a text on dissemination of information on
decolonization (document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.116) by a recorded
vote of 172 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United
States), with 3 abstentions (France, Malawi, Togo). By its terms, the
General Assembly stresses the importance of visiting missions of the
Special Committee on Decolonization in contributing to the dissemination
of decolonization information. In that regard, the Assembly requests
that the Department of Public Information actively engage and seek new
and innovative ways to disseminate materials to the Non-Self-Governing
Territories. It also requests that the Departments of Political Affairs
and Public Information implement the Special Committee’s
recommendations and continue their efforts to publicize the
Organization’s decolonization work.
The Assembly went on to adopt — by a recorded vote of 126 in favour
to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 55 abstentions — a 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/73/23, chapter XIII, p.46). By its terms, the
Assembly recommends that all States intensify their efforts through
specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations
system to prioritize assistance to the Territories. Further, it
requests that the Secretary-General continue to assist those agencies
and organizations in working out appropriate measures for implementing
relevant United Nations resolutions, and to prepare a report on actions
taken in that regard for submission to the relevant entities.
The representative of Cuba, speaking in explanation of
position regarding the question of Guam, said she joined the consensus
because it summarized the work of the Committee in 2018. Noting that
the people of Guam still cannot exercise their right to
self-determination, she dissociated Cuba from preambular paragraphs 18
and 27 of the text, explaining that they do not reflect the concerns
expressed before the Committee by representatives of the Territories
regarding the failure of the governing body to respect the Territory’s
natural resources and the rights of the people. The recent plebiscite
removes language on the Chamorro Land Trust programme, thereby
circumventing decolonization, she said, describing that action as a
regrettable attempt to fracture multilateralism.
Taking up a draft decision titled “Question of Gibraltar”
(document A/C.4/73/L.5), the Assembly adopted it without a vote. By its
terms, the Assembly urges the Governments of Spain and the United
Kingdom to reach a definitive solution to the question of Gibraltar. It
also takes note of the United Kingdom’s desire to continue with the
trilateral Forum for Dialogue, and of Spain’s position that the Forum
does not exist and should be replaced with a new mechanism for local
cooperation, in which the people of Campo de Gibraltar and Gibraltar are
represented.
Finally, the General Assembly adopted the Fourth Committee’s proposed
programme of work for its seventy-fourth session
(document A/C.4/73/L.10) without a vote, and took note of the
Committee’s report on programme planning (document A/73/534).
Upon the recommendation of its Fourth Committee (Special Political
and Decolonization), the General Assembly adopted 36 resolutions and
4 decisions today, on issues relating to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and decolonization, among others.
On Israel-Palestine issues, the Assembly adopted 9 resolutions, all
by recorded vote. Among them was the text “Operations of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”
which it adopted by a recorded 159 votes in favour to 5 against
(Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
United States), with 12 abstentions.
By the terms of that text, the Assembly expressed deep concern over
the critical financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), caused by
structural underfunding as well as rising needs and expenditures
resulting from deteriorating socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions.
It also expressed concern over attempts to discredit the Agency despite
its proven operational capacity, record of effectively providing
humanitarian and development assistance, and consistent implementation
of its mandate.
The Assembly also adopted the resolution “Work of the Special
Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of
the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, by
a recorded vote of 78 in favour to 10 against (Australia, Canada,
Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, United States), with
84 abstentions. By that text, the Assembly requested that the Special
Committee continue investigating Israeli policies and practices in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially violations of the Geneva
Convention, as well as the treatment and status of thousands of
prisoners and detainees — including children, women and elected
representatives — inside Israeli prisons and detention centres within
the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
On decolonization questions, the Assembly adopted 21 resolutions and
1 decision. Among the resolutions was the text “Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples”, adopted by a recorded vote of 124 in favour to 8 against (Côte
d’Ivoire, Gabon, Israel, Morocco, Senegal, South Sudan, United Kingdom,
United States), with 46 abstentions. According to its terms, the
Assembly requested that the Special Committee continue to dispatch
visiting and special missions to the Territories, in accordance with the
relevant resolutions. It called upon administering Powers to ensure
that their economic and other activities in the Territories do not
adversely affect the interests of their peoples, but instead promote
development. It also called upon administering Powers to terminate
their military activities and eliminate their military bases in the
Territories.
Also adopted by a recorded vote was a text on dissemination of
information on decolonization, which the Assembly passed by 172 votes in
favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with
3 abstentions (France, Malawi, Togo). By its terms, the Assembly
stressed the importance of visiting missions of the Special Committee on
Decolonization in contributing to the dissemination of decolonization
information. In that regard, the Assembly requested that the Department
of Public Information actively engage and seek new and innovative ways
to disseminate materials to the Non-Self-Governing Territories. It also
requested that the Departments of Political Affairs and Public
Information implement the Special Committee’s recommendations and
continue their efforts to publicize the Organization’s decolonization
efforts.
In other recorded votes, the Assembly adopted texts on assistance to
Palestine refugees; persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and
subsequent hostilities; Palestine refugees’ properties and their
revenues; Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan; Israeli
practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and the
occupied Syrian Golan. It also adopted a text 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 other occupied Arab territories.
The Assembly went on to adopt, also by recorded vote, draft
resolutions on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
transmitted under Article 73(e) of the United Nations Charter; economic
and other activities affecting the interests of the peoples of the
Non-Self-Governing Territories; dissemination of information on
decolonization; and implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
Closely following the Fourth Committee’s recommendations, the
Assembly also adopted, without a vote, a series of annual drafts
relating to the decolonization of specific Non-Self-Governing
Territories. They included texts affirming the right to
self-determination for the peoples of Western Sahara, American Samoa,
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French
Polynesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau,
Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted texts relating to the
University for Peace, the effects of atomic radiation, peaceful uses of
outer space, special political missions, questions of information and
offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants
of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
It took note of a report on the comprehensive review of the whole
question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, without taking
action.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted decisions relating to the
question of Gibraltar and the proposed programme of its own work for
the seventy-fourth session.
Presenting reports for the Assembly’s consideration was the Rapporteur of the Fourth Committee.
Cuba’s representative delivered a statement in explanation of position.
The next meeting of the General Assembly will be announced.
Introduction of Reports
LUIS MAURICIO ARANCIBIA FERNÁNDEZ (Bolivia), Rapporteur of the Fourth
Committee, introduced that body’s reports, saying they contain 36 draft
resolutions and 4 draft decisions negotiated over the course of
28 formal meetings. The Committee was able to fulfil the mandate
entrusted to it by the General Assembly, he added, recalling the high
level of cooperation prevailing during its meetings.
Action on Draft Resolutions
The General Assembly met this morning to take action on draft
resolutions and decisions contained in reports of its Fourth Committee
(Special Political and Decolonization) on the following agenda items:
University for Peace (document A/73/470); effects of atomic radiation (document A/73/521); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (document A/73/471); United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/73/523);
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of
the Occupied Territories (document A/73/524); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/73/525); and comprehensive review of special political missions (document A/73/526).
Also awaiting action were the Committee’s reports on: questions relating to information (document A/73/472);
information from Non-Self-Governing Territories transmitted under
Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations (document A/73/473); economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/474);
implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to
Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and
international institutions associated with the United Nations (document A/73/475); offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/476); implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (document A/73/532); and revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (document A/73/533); and programme planning (document A/73/534).
The Assembly began by adopting a draft resolution concerning the
University for Peace (document A/C.4/73/L.7), by which it requests that
the institution find viable ways to further strengthen cooperation with
the United Nations system. It also requests that Member States make
financial contributions that will enable the University to offer its
study programmes to all students wishing to participate, and by
facilitating the institution’s operations in host countries.
Taking up a draft resolution on the effects of atomic radiation, the
Assembly retained operative paragraph 21 (e) of the text, deciding to
accept observer delegations as States members of the United Nations
Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation in their fourth
year, with due consideration for a fair degree of participation in
accordance with the Secretary‑General’s suggested framework of
membership criteria and indicators. The Assembly retained that
paragraph by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 2 against (Israel,
United States), with 1 abstention (Sudan).
By the terms of the resolution as a whole (document A/C.4/73/L.9),
adopted without a vote, the General Assembly supports the Scientific
Committee’s intentions and plans for the conduct of its programme of
work, in particular its next periodic global surveys of exposure to
radiation. The Assembly requests that the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) continue, within existing resources, to service the
Scientific Committee, insisting that UNEP take all steps to ensure
continuity. It also requests that any ongoing selection process for a
new Secretary of the Scientific Committee be expedited and managed in a
transparent manner.
Turning to outer space affairs, the Assembly then adopted, without a
vote, the draft resolution “International cooperation in the peaceful
uses of outer space” (document A/C.4/73/L.4). By that text, the General
Assembly recommends that States which have not yet become parties to
the international treaties governing the uses of outer space ratify or
accede to those instruments and incorporate them into national
legislation. By further terms, the Assembly urges all States, in
particular those with major space capabilities, to help prevent an arms
race in outer space.
Also adopted without a vote was the draft decision “Increase in the
membership of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(document A/C.4/73/L.6). By that text, the Assembly takes note of
applications by Cyprus, Ethiopia, Finland, Mauritius and Paraguay for
membership in that Committee, and in that context, decides to appoint
them as members.
The General Assembly then took up four draft resolutions relating to
Palestine refugees. By a recorded 163 votes in favour to 2 against
(Israel, United States), with 13 abstentions — it adopted the draft
resolution “Assistance to Palestine refugees” (document A/C.4/73/L.14),
expressing concern over the severe financial crisis confronting the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA) and its negative implications for continued delivery
of its core programmes. The Assembly also expresses grave concern about
the difficult situation of Palestine refugees under occupation,
underlining the importance of assistance and urgent reconstruction
efforts. It calls upon all donors to continue strengthening their
efforts to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs.
By a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States),
with 13 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted the draft “Persons
displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”
(document A/C.4/73/L.15). By its terms, the Assembly reaffirms the
right of all persons displaced because of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence. It
further stresses the need for the accelerated return of those displaced,
strongly appealing to all Governments, organizations and individuals to
contribute generously to UNRWA and others in that regard.
The Assembly went on to adopt the draft “Operations of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”
(A/C.4/73/L.16) by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 5 against
(Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
United States), with 12 abstentions. It expresses deep concern about
UNRWA’s critical financial situation, caused by structural underfunding
as well as rising needs and expenditures resulting from deteriorating
socioeconomic and humanitarian conditions. It also expresses grave
concern over attempts to discredit the Agency despite its proven
operational capacity, record of effectively providing humanitarian and
development assistance, and the consistent implementation of its
mandate. By other terms, the Assembly urges the Government of Israel to
reimburse UNRWA for all transit charges it incurred and other financial
losses it sustained as a result of delays as well as restrictions on
movement and access imposed by that country.
By a recorded 156 votes in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States),
with 14 abstentions, the Assembly went on to adopt the draft “Palestine
refugees’ properties and their revenues” (document A/C.4/73/L.17),
requesting that the Secretary‑General take all appropriate steps to
protect Arab property, assets and property rights within Israel.
Further, it calls upon Israel to render all facilities and assistance to
the Secretary-General in implementation of the draft resolution, and
upon all parties concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any
pertinent information concerning such property inside Israel.
The General Assembly then took up five draft resolutions relating to
Israel’s illegal practices in occupied Palestinian and other Arab
territories. It adopted the draft “Work of the Special Committee to
Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the
Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”
(document A/C.4/73/L.18) by a recorded vote of 78 in favour to
10 against (Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, United
States), with 84 abstentions.
By that text, the General Assembly demands that Israel cooperate, in
accordance with its obligations as a State Member of the United Nations,
with the Special Committee in implementation of its mandate. It
further requests that the Special Committee continue investigating
Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
especially violations of the Geneva Convention, as well as the treatment
and status of thousands of prisoners and detainees — including
children, women and elected representatives — inside Israeli prisons and
detention centres within the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Assembly went on to adopt — by a recorded vote of 158 in favour
to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 14 abstentions — the draft
“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” (document A/C.4/73/L.19).
By that text, the General Assembly demands that Israel accept the de
jure applicability of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories it has
occupied since 1967, and that it comply scrupulously with the provisions
of the Convention. The Assembly also calls upon all High Contracting
Parties to the Convention to continue to exert all efforts to ensure
Israel’s respect for its provisions in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.
The Assembly then adopted the draft “Israeli settlements in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the
occupied Syrian Golan” (document A/C.4/73/L.20) by a recorded 154 votes
in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Nauru, United States), with 15 abstentions. By
its terms, the General Assembly condemns acts of violence, destruction,
harassment, provocation and incitement by Israeli settlers in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also calls for accountability in
relation to the illegal actions perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Taking up the draft “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of
the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem” (document A/C.4/73/L.21), the Assembly adopted it by a
recorded vote of 152 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Israel,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon
Islands, United States), with 13 abstentions. By its terms, the General
Assembly demands that Israel cease all measures contrary to
international law, as well as discriminatory legislation, policies and
actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also demands that
Israel cease all its settlement activities, construction of the wall and
any other measures aimed at altering the character, status and
demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Further,
the Assembly demands that Israel comply with its obligations under
international law and cease its imposition of prolonged closures and
economic and movement restrictions, including those amounting to a
blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Assembly also adopted — by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to
2 against (Israel, United States), with 22 abstentions, the draft “The
occupied Syrian Golan” (document A/C.4/73/L.22). By that text, the
Assembly calls upon Israel to desist from changing the physical
character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal
status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and, in particular, to desist from
establishing settlements there. It also calls upon Israel to desist
from imposing Israeli citizenship and identity cards on Syrian citizens
in the occupied Golan.
Next, the General Assembly took note of the report “Comprehensive
review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their
aspects” (document A/73/525), taking no action.
It then adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution relating to
special political missions (document A/C.4/73/L.8), by which it stresses
the need for the United Nations to continue to improve its capabilities
in the pacific settlement of disputes, including mediation, conflict
prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, for
the maintenance of international peace and security. By other terms,
the Assembly stresses the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation
between special political missions and regional and subregional
organizations. It further requests that the Secretary‑General hold
regular, inclusive and interactive dialogue on overall policy matters
pertaining to special political missions, and reach out to Member States
before holding such dialogue in order to ensure participation.
Turning to questions relating to information, the Assembly adopted
two draft resolutions without a vote. It first adopted draft
resolution A, “Information in the service of humanity”, contained in the
report on the fortieth session of the Committee on Information
(document A/73/21). By its
terms, the General Assembly urges all countries and organizations
concerned to ensure the free and effective performance of journalists’
professional tasks and condemns resolutely all attacks against them. By
other terms, the Assembly further urges States and organizations to
enhance regional efforts and cooperation among developing countries, as
well as cooperation between developed and developing countries, to
strengthen communications capacities and improve media infrastructure,
especially in the areas of training and dissemination of information.
Acting again without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution B,
“United Nations public information policies and activities”, contained
in the same report (document A/73/21). By that text, the Assembly
underlines that reform of the Department of Public Information should
consider the priorities set out by the Committee on Information and the
importance of carrying out appropriate consultations with Member
States. Further, it emphasizes that the Department should maintain and
improve its activities in the areas of special interest to developing
countries where its activities should contribute to bridging the
existing gap between developing and developed countries in the crucial
field of public information and communications.
By the terms of one operative paragraph, the Assembly encourages the
Department to engage in a comprehensive promotional campaign in
preparation for the next Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change — to be held in Katowice,
Poland, from 2 to 14 December 2018 — and the Intergovernmental
Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular
Migration, to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, on 10 and 11 December 2018.
Further by that text, the Assembly underlines the importance of the
Department’s integration of multilingualism into the planning and
implementation of promotional campaigns. It also encourages the
Department to develop partnerships with the private sector and relevant
organizations that promote the official United Nations languages in
order to promote the Organization’s activities in a cost-neutral
manner. By other terms, the Assembly notes with concern that the
multilingual development and enrichment of the United Nations website in
certain official languages has improved at a much slower rate than
expected and urges the Department to advance actions to achieve full
parity among the six official languages on the website.
The Assembly then took up several texts on decolonization. First, it
adopted — by a recorded vote of 178 in favour to 2 against (Israel,
United States), with 3 abstentions (United Kingdom, France, Liberia)— a
draft resolution on information from Non-Self-Governing Territories
transmitted under Article 73 e of the Charter of the United Nations
(document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.41). By its terms , the General
Assembly requests that the administering Powers transmit — or continue
to transmit — regularly to the Secretary‑General, statistical and other
information of a technical nature relating to the economic, social and
educational conditions in the Territories for which they are
respectively responsible.
In another recorded vote, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution on
economic and other activities which affect the interests of the peoples
of the Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/73/23, chapter XIII,
p.41), by a recorded 175 votes in favour to 2 against (Israel, United
States), with 3 abstentions (France, Liberia, United Kingdom). By that
text, the General Assembly expresses deep concern over the number and
scale of natural disasters and their devastating impact on the
Non-Self-Governing Territories in the Caribbean Sea during 2017. It
also expresses concern about activities aimed at exploiting the natural
and human resources of Non-Self-Governing Territories to the detriment
of their inhabitants.
The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution “Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples” (document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.118) by a recorded vote of
124 in favour to 8 against (Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Israel, Morocco,
Senegal, South Sudan, United Kingdom, United States), with
46 abstentions.
According to that text, the General Assembly requests that the
Special Committee continue to dispatch visiting and special missions to
the Territories, in accordance with the relevant resolutions. It calls
upon administering Powers to ensure that their economic and other
activities in the Territories do not adversely affect the interests of
their peoples, but instead promote development. It also calls upon
administering Powers to terminate their military activities and
eliminate military bases in the Territories. By further terms, the
Assembly calls upon administering Powers to ensure that the exploitation
of marine and other natural resources in the Non‑Self‑Governing
Territories do not violate the relevant United Nations resolutions or
adversely affect the interests of the peoples of those Territories. It
also calls on them to provide all necessary assistance to the peoples of
the Non-Self-Governing Territories affected by recent hurricanes in
order to alleviate humanitarian needs in the affected communities,
support recovery and rebuilding efforts, and enhance
emergency-preparedness and risk-reduction capabilities.
The Assembly then adopted, without a vote, a draft resolution on
offers by Member States of study and training facilities for inhabitants
of Non-Self-Governing Territories (document A/C.4/73/L.2).
Also without a vote, it adopted a draft on Western Sahara
(document A/C.4/73/L.3), by which it calls upon all parties concerned as
well as States of the region to cooperate fully with the
Secretary-General, his Personal Envoy and each other.
Acting again without a vote, the Assembly adopted drafts on the
following individual Non‑Self‑Governing Territories: American Samoa,
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, French
Polynesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Tokelau,
Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States Virgin Islands.
The Assembly also adopted, again without a vote, the draft “Question
of Guam” (document A/73/23, page 76), while adopting a proposed
amendment (document A/C.4/73/L.11) to that text by a recorded 51 votes
in favour to 30 against, with 71 abstentions.
It went on to adopt a text on dissemination of information on
decolonization (document A/73/23, chapter XIII, p.116) by a recorded
vote of 172 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United
States), with 3 abstentions (France, Malawi, Togo). By its terms, the
General Assembly stresses the importance of visiting missions of the
Special Committee on Decolonization in contributing to the dissemination
of decolonization information. In that regard, the Assembly requests
that the Department of Public Information actively engage and seek new
and innovative ways to disseminate materials to the Non-Self-Governing
Territories. It also requests that the Departments of Political Affairs
and Public Information implement the Special Committee’s
recommendations and continue their efforts to publicize the
Organization’s decolonization work.
The Assembly went on to adopt — by a recorded vote of 126 in favour
to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 55 abstentions — a 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/73/23, chapter XIII, p.46). By its terms, the
Assembly recommends that all States intensify their efforts through
specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations
system to prioritize assistance to the Territories. Further, it
requests that the Secretary-General continue to assist those agencies
and organizations in working out appropriate measures for implementing
relevant United Nations resolutions, and to prepare a report on actions
taken in that regard for submission to the relevant entities.
The representative of Cuba, speaking in explanation of
position regarding the question of Guam, said she joined the consensus
because it summarized the work of the Committee in 2018. Noting that
the people of Guam still cannot exercise their right to
self-determination, she dissociated Cuba from preambular paragraphs 18
and 27 of the text, explaining that they do not reflect the concerns
expressed before the Committee by representatives of the Territories
regarding the failure of the governing body to respect the Territory’s
natural resources and the rights of the people. The recent plebiscite
removes language on the Chamorro Land Trust programme, thereby
circumventing decolonization, she said, describing that action as a
regrettable attempt to fracture multilateralism.
Taking up a draft decision titled “Question of Gibraltar”
(document A/C.4/73/L.5), the Assembly adopted it without a vote. By its
terms, the Assembly urges the Governments of Spain and the United
Kingdom to reach a definitive solution to the question of Gibraltar. It
also takes note of the United Kingdom’s desire to continue with the
trilateral Forum for Dialogue, and of Spain’s position that the Forum
does not exist and should be replaced with a new mechanism for local
cooperation, in which the people of Campo de Gibraltar and Gibraltar are
represented.
Finally, the General Assembly adopted the Fourth Committee’s proposed
programme of work for its seventy-fourth session
(document A/C.4/73/L.10) without a vote, and took note of the
Committee’s report on programme planning (document A/73/534).
