Joint general debate on decolonization items (continued) Closure of the list of speakers on decolonization items
🇨🇱 Chile, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇧🇴 Plurinational State of Bolivia, 🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran
Gracias, Senor Thank you, Mr. Chair. In exercising the right of reply, my delegation would like to express its concern over the affirmations from the distinguished representative of the plurinational state of Bolivia. We regret that once again a multilateral forum is being used. To refer to subjects which exclusively concern the bilateral area between Chile and Bolivia and which have nothing to do with this committee. Chile and Bolivia in the year 1904 signed a treaty of peace and friendship which resolved all territorial matters between both countries. At the same time, in that treaty Chile recognized in Bolivia's favor a broad free transit regime for the Pacific Ocean. The nineteen oh four treaty is fully in force and our country is comprehensively implementing its provisions. As relates to the free transit regime, that takes place through the granting of broad facilities and privileges on our territory to the benefit of Bolivian cargo. Despite the clarity of that treaty, in the year 2013, Bolivia brought a request before the International Court of Justice. That is an organ which in the year 2018 confirmed completely and definitively the fact that there were no pending issues. And so we can say clearly that there is no dispute over this subject. And, of course, between Chile and Bolivia there are no uh pending border issues. In acting in this way, Bolivia is distracting our attention from important subjects for which we have been convened here today. Once again, Chile takes this opportunity to reaffirm its full respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thank you very much, Chair. Ahora
Aseid Rais. Chair. Responding to the statement by the by Iran, I would like to exercise my right of reply representing the UAE and on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Morocco, and the state of Kuwait, which delivered the statement on behalf of the GCC. In this context, I would like to note the following. The United Arab Emirates believes that the three UAE islands, Greater Tomb, Lesser Tomb, and Abu Musa in the Arabian Gulf, belong to the UAE and are occupied by Iran. Therefore, therefore, Iran is an occupying power. Iranian claims to the contrary will not change this reality. It's unacceptable for Iran to claim that these islands are an internal Iranian issue. The UAE reiterates that these three islands are an integral part of its territories. We categorically reject the continued Iranian occupation of the three UAE islands. The UAE has long called on Iran to resort to international law and the charter of the UN to resolve this issue through bilateral negotiations or through the ICJ. In this context, I reiterate that the UAE has good relations and cooperation with Iran. We look forward to broadening our cooperation to deepen our bilateral relations. But the issue of the three UAE islands will remain a bone of contention until we resolve this issue peacefully in an acceptable manner with Iran within the framework of good neighborliness and international law. Thank you. Doy la palabra
Chair. I am compelled to take the floor to respond to the disinformation laden remarks of the representative of India. Each year, India comes to this August forum with a recycled script of distortions. Today is no different. Allow me therefore to set the record straight. The United Nations has not only the right but the obligation to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Jammu and Kashmir is not and has never been an integral part of India. It is in an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status is to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations as prescribed in multiple Security Council resolutions. India itself had brought the matter to the Council, yet now refuses to honor its solemn commitments under international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Second, let me reiterate that the Declaration of 1960 decrees that all peoples under alien subjugation have the right to self determination. The right is also enshrined in the first article of the United Nations Charter, the International Covent on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 3. In occupied German Kashmir, India maintains one of the densest military occupations in the world, deploying nearly 900,000 troops against an unarmed civilian population. For long, India has tried to sell a false narrative, branding the just struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as terrorism. India rather needs to introspect to find the real reasons behind the mass resistance in the occupied territory. India's backtracking from its obligation under the UNSC resolutions, its intransigence in denying the Kashmiri people their rights and fundamentals, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, mass incarcerations, sexual violence, and demographic engineering are the real reasons for the indigenous freedom movement. Since 2019, India has accelerated its settler colonial project in flagrant violation of the fourth Geneva Convention. Fourth, India seeks to deflect attention from its own notorious conduct, rogue behavior, and its perpetration of terrorism. While it masquerades as a victim, the truth is that India is the principal sponsor of state terrorism in the region with a dubious distinction of extraterritorial assassinations. It has financed and directed terrorist proxies such as TTP, BLA, Majeed Brigade, whose attacks have killed thousands of innocent civilians in Pakistan. Fifth, India claims to be one of the largest world documents is hollow. In reality, it has become the world's largest producer of disinformation and intolerance. The ruling RSS BBGP ideology has institutionalized Islamophobia and turned persecution of minorities into state policies. Numerous international human rights organizations continue to document India's systematic abuses. Lastly, India's reckless behavior has endangered regional peace and security. Earlier this year, India resorted to unprovoked aggression against Pakistan, targeting civilians, including women and children. Pakistan exercised its inherent right to self defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, responding in a Mayyad manner aimed solely at military targets. India suffered significant losses, including multiple aircraft downed. It was Pakistan's responsible posture from a position of strength and international facilitation that prevented a dangerous escalation. Chair, India's denials and distortions cannot erase the simple truth. Jammu and Kashmir remain a disputed territory. The people of Kashmir have waited for over seven decades to exercise their UN mandated right to self determination. Pakistan will continue to expose India's hypocrisy, oppose its state terrorism, and support the Kashmiris people's just and legitimate struggle for justice, dignity and freedom. I thank you. doy la
Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen, Bolivia wishes to exercise its right of reply in response to the statement made by the delegation of Chile. Bolivia deeply values this multilateral forum for dialogue and exchange, focusing on challenges related to colonialism and the impacts thereof that we as countries face. In the specific case of Bolivia, when it comes to the fact it's now landlogged. There is a party directly responsible for that situation, the Republic of Chile. They have facilitated colonial extractive interests of external powers, and these have maimed the sovereign maritime access of our country and these powers in Chile indeed have occupied territory that doesn't belong to them. It's not our intention to turn this forum into an arena for bilateral discussions. But in the face of the vague statements made and the vague accusations levelled by the declaration the delegation of Chile, we must issue crucial clarification in order to remain faithful to the law, history, and practice. First, the Republic of Chile has called the 1904 Treaty, an agreement which provides broad facilities and privileges across its territory in the benefit of Chile. That's what Chile has said. But Chile, through the use of military force, was forced to sign the 1904 Treaty in exchange for a free transit regime. This is agreement an agreement which provides v vital Compensation for the military conquest of uh Bolivia's coastline. So we're not talking about privileges and powers born from a magnanimous gesture of solidarity, but rather crucial rights that have historically been breached. My second point, Chile has neglected to indicate that the rights contained in the 1904 Treaty are violated. For example, the freedom of transit is implemented in accordance with the political whims of Chile. That undermines the Bolivia's freedom of tran uh transit and that suffocates its trade. Moreover, we are deliberately excluded from the bioceanic corridor that connects Brazil with Chilean ports. The negative costs of this is huge for Bolivia's trade. And have clearly been identified by the United Nations. It's vital also to recall that the International Court of Justice has indicated that the unresolved dispute between Bolivia and Chile should not preclude dialogue between both countries in because solving that dispute is a matter of mutual interest. Finally, this multilateral forum is the ideal scenario in which to discuss the difficulties that states face as a consequence as a consequence of historic un injustices born from the depths of colonialism. As such, we reiterate our appeal to the international col community to support Bolivia in its rightful maritime cause. And that means there is a need to provide redress for the persistent effects of colonialism and to move towards a truly f uh just regime and a region which is truly solidarity based. Thank you. Doy la palabra,
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for giving me the floor to exercise my delegation's right of reply. Our responses directed to the United Arab Emirates and other delegations on whose behalf the delegation of UAE claim to speak. Mr. Chair, my delegation reiterates that such false claims raised in a forum not relevant to the matter at hand are neither constructive nor appropriate. Nevertheless, these allegations cannot in any way undermine our resolve to refute them, regardless of how often they are repeated. We remain consistent and principled. We do not recognize any so-called dispute that infringes upon Iran's sovereignty over these islands in the Persian Gulf. According to historical fact, these three islands have been an integral part of Iran's territorial integrity since long before the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, and they will continue to remain so indefinitely. The islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tomb and Lesser Tombar and will always be inseparable parts of the territory of Iran. Mr Chair, Iran has always sought to build relations with its neighbors on the basis of mutual respect and good neighborliness. Yet, let us be clear, our sovereignty over these islands is absolute and not subject to negotiation. Iran encourages all mentioned fellow members of this committee to refrain from diverting the discussion away from the subject allocated to this meeting. We also call upon them to fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states in line with their obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Finally, I wish to remind once again the Persian Gulf is the only correct appellation for the body of water between the Iranian plateau and the Arabian Peninsula. This designation has been used consistently for over 2,500 years and is supported by reliable historical sources. It is also endorsed by the United Nations system and, in accordance with established international usage, should be duly observed by all. I thank you, Mr. Chair. doy ahora
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Chile is forced to exercise its right of reply for the second time, given what was said by the distinguished delegate from the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Regrettably, Bolivia is dis is distorting reality and distracting us. Chile grants broad and exceptional privileges that Bolivia enjoys and which go beyond mere free transit. We are once again surprised that the Bolivian delegation is bringing to this important committee items that have nothing to do with it. And above all, considering the constructive bilateral dialogues between our countries, this is indeed a bilateral subject. Therefore, we insist that there is no outstanding issue in this area and therefore we would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our full respect for international law and for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. la comisión, volverá The committee will reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday, fourteenth of October, in this conference room at ten a.m., to continue the general debate on the decolonisation agenda items. The meeting is adjourned.
Verbatim from the transcript. A reply is identified from its own words, the Chair's grant, or its place in the right-of-reply sequence; delegations and addressees follow the transcript's attribution.