MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN Decolonisation Seminar urges case by case approach

At the conclusion of its three-day review of progress achieved in implementation of the Plan of Action of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, the 2007 Caribbean Regional Seminar recommended that the Special Committee on Decolonisation consider establishing a “Special Committee focal point” in each Non-Self-Governing Territory where there was no dispute over sovereignty, in order to enhance the exchange of information.

According to recommendations contained in its draft report, introduced by Rapporteur Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz (Cuba), the Seminar underscored the importance of education, awareness-raising and continued dialogue on self-determination and decolonisation issues aimed at and involving the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Seminar stressed that the Special Committee's visiting and special missions represented a key factor in raising public awareness of decolonisation issues. Regional seminars served as an effective forum for focused discussion on matters of concern to the Non-Self-Governing Territories, affording opportunities for representatives of the Territories' peoples to present their views and recommendations to the Special Committee. The Special Committee was encouraged to hold those events in the Non-Self-Governing Territories themselves. According to the official UN report also in the draft report, Seminar participants drew the attention of the administering Powers to the three options for reaching a "full measure of self-government", namely independence, free association with an independent State or integration with an independent State. In cases where a particular Non-Self-Governing Territory was clearly in favour of building upon the basis of its existing situation, the Special Committee might wish to consider steps that it could take, bearing in mind the Territory's interests in that regard. The United Nations goal of decolonization could thus be achieved in a relatively straightforward fashion. The Seminar once again recommended that the Special Committee, the administering Powers and the Non-Self-Governing Territories engage in constructive discussions and innovative ways to expedite implementation of the Second Decade's goals, with participants reiterating that progress could only be achieved with the active cooperation of the administering Powers. The Seminar also reaffirmed the Special Committee's role as the primary vehicle for the fostering of the decolonization process and in expediting the Decade's goals, stressing as well that its mandate remained a major political programme of the United Nations. Participants recommended that the Special Committee continue its active participation in monitoring the evolution of the Territories towards self-determination. In closing remarks, Chairperson Margaret Hughes Ferrari (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) noted that the Special Committee had a special responsibility towards the people of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and it had, therefore, been a privilege to hear from their representatives. The Special Committee's work would be greatly enriched by the encounter. She said that, during the past three days, it had been made abundantly clear that different Territories had different needs, expectations and concerns. It was also obvious that some Territories were quite satisfied with present arrangements, while others had expressed dissatisfaction or a need for further progress. It was incumbent upon the Special Committee to recognize that spectrum, and its duty to find ways to deal with that reality on a case-by-case basis, always keeping as paramount consideration the wishes and well-being of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.(Chronicle)