The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in its XV General Assembly held on 3rd August 2020, adopted resolution that supports the peaceful solution to Indo-Naga issue which is acceptable to both the parties. The resolution calls upon the international community to appeal to India to fulfill and honor the commitment in the Framework Agreement which was signed between the parties on 3rd August 2015.
The resolution also urges India to repeal the draconian act Arms Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Area Act which overly militarize the situation facing the Naga people.
Here is the full reproduction of the UNPO XV General Assembly Resolution
On 3 August 2020, the XV General Assembly of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization adopted a resolution on the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16. The resolution highlights positive instances within the past six years where self-determination issues have been freely put to a vote. In this context, the text urges the international community to recognize that such forward-thinking actions present the best opportunity for the full realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including in particular SDG Goal 16 to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies and to support more such efforts in the future.
Resolution
UNPO XV General Assembly
On the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16
– Whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goals 16 required all member states of the United Nations “to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”;
– Whereas in September 2014, the people of Scotland were able to freely and peacefully hold a referendum on their international status;
– Whereas in November 2016, the people of the District of Columbia, were able to hold a referendum on statehood with the United States of America and have seen this referendum lead to a vote on statehood in the US House of Representatives;
– Whereas in November 2018, the people of New Caledonia, were able to freely and peacefully hold a referendum on their international status;
– Whereas in November 2019, the people of Bougainville, a former UNPO member, were able to freely and peacefully hold a referendum on their international status;
– Whereas the above-referenced cases represent the handful of positive instances within the past six years where self-determination issues have been freely put to a vote;
– Whereas in other circumstances agreements on the self-determination of unrepresented nations and peoples or attempts to have a vote on such self-determination have been consistently frustrated;
Meeting in plenary session on 2 August 2020, the XV General Assembly of the Unrepresented
Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO),
1. Congratulates the governments of the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and Papua New Guinea for facilitating such expressions of the desires of their constituent nations and peoples;
2. Urges the international community to recognize that such forward-thinking actions present the best opportunity for the full realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including in particular SDG Goal 16 to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies and to support more such efforts in the future;
3. Expresses our heartfelt congratulations to the people of Bougainville, former UNPO members, and invite them to participate in the UNPO’s XVI General Assembly celebrating its 30th Anniversary and to share their experiences with it;
4. Further expresses heartfelt congratulations to the people of the District of Columbia for their successful vote on Statehood at the US House of Representatives and deep hope for the successful furtherance of the campaign for statehood;
5. Condemns the use of the criminal justice system in Spain against the non-violent self-determination movement in Catalonia and demands the implementation of international and European human rights standards in Spain;
6. Expresses significant concern at the lack of progress in the implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and, indeed, the repression of human rights and democracy defenders – including members of the PCJSS – that seek the full implementation of that accord and calls for the urgent release of those abducted or arbitrarily detained in the Chittagong Hill Tracts;
7. Supports the peaceful solution for the Indo-Naga issue which is just, long lasting, honorable and acceptable to both the sides; calls upon the international community to appeal to India to fulfil its commitments in the framework agreement; and urges India to repeal acts such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Area Act which overly militarize the situation facing the Naga people;
8. Urges the United States of America to enable the people of Guam, and in particular the indigenous Chamorro people, to hold a plebiscite that would enable them to express their desires as it relates to self-determination;
9. Calls on the government of Ethiopia to re-engage in dialogue and negotiation, release detained political leaders, and set a reasonable and expeditious date for the postponed elections;
10. Urges the United Nations, African Union and their member states to support the people of Western Sahara and the fulfillment of the promise of a referendum and recognition of the decolonization of Western Sahara.
Adopted on 3 August 2020
Source: UNPO
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