Gibraltar claims C24 is ‘failing miserably’ in its task of decolonising territories

Saturday, June 1st 2013 - 02:29 UTC

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Veteran minister Bossano involved for almost half a century in the decolonization campaign of Gibraltar

Gibraltar veteran Minister Joe Bossano launched a scathing attack on to the record of the UN Committee of Decolonization or C24 claiming it is consistently falling to do the work it is tasked with: decolonising the territories on its list.

Speaking in Quito, Ecuador and taking a seat alongside the Falkland’s delegate Mike Summers, Mr Bossano pronounced that the Committee is “failing miserably” in making sure that Gibraltar is “developing self-government taking into account the political aspirations of our people.”

“I have been involved in the decolonisation campaign of my country since the age of 25 over 49 years ago, almost half a century. I think, distinguished delegates, that this gives me the moral right to question your performance,” he said.

Mr Bossano declared that “unless by some miracle we see something new in the report of this year’s seminar this committee might as well pack up”.

There were sterner words for Spain whose colonial record, Mr Bossano suggested, deprived her of the right to preach.

“Spain says that our latest Constitution does not decolonise us because it keeps Gibraltar dependent on UK. We are not saying it does, we are saying it is up to you, this Committee, to tell us whether it falls short of the decolonisation requirements and, if so, identify its deficiencies. This is the job you are failing to do,” he said having accused Spain of contempt for Gibraltarians in describing the people as “the current inhabitants of Gibraltar” as if they were “recently arrived illegal immigrants”.

“It is an absolute disgrace that Spain should stand before you to argue and advocate the breach of every single one of our Human Rights. If our homeland were taken from us and given to Spain would that not be tantamount to subjecting us to alien domination, a breach of our human rights? If the sovereignty of our homeland were transferred to Spain would that not be the end of our right to complete freedom in the exercise of our sovereignty and the removal of the territorial integrity of our country which is currently supposedly under your protection?” said Mr Bossano

“It is time for this Committee, once and for all, to make clear to Spain that they cannot stand in the way of Gibraltar’s decolonisation and that they will never succeed because their very attempt is a blatant breach of Human Rights,” he said. Full text at www.chronicle.gi

Categories: Politics, Argentina, Falkland Islands, International, Latin America.

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Anglotino
As posted on another thread:

Well this is not the year for the poor members of the C24. After reading the walloping the Falkland Islands have already given it in Quito, it was pleasing to read that the French Polynesian government has officially requested that France organise a referendum on independence so as to remove themselves from their new position as a Non Self Governing Territory.

It is getting harder for the C24 to ignore the number of referendums that keep saying one thing..... NO CHANGE!

We have had Gibraltar say they are happy with their status.
We have had the Falkland Islands say they are happy with their status.
We have had Tokelau say TWICE that they do not wish to change their status.
And now we will have French Polynesia speak in a democratic referendum.

That will be four of the 17 listed territories.

Gibraltar sums up many of these points in their recent speech in Quito. A few choice phrases:
“What for, Mr Chairman why have us participate if nothing we say here, year after year, makes any difference?”
“This is the job you are failing to do.”
“Is Spain so ignorant...”
“...I only see in your deliberations the stagnation of the status quo and luxury of rhetoric and rituals.”
“You are miserably failing to do this.”
“...this gives me the moral right to question your performance.”
“...you have not shown the remotest interest in it.”
“...this committee might as well pack up.”

And this one is a ripper:
“My country has been independent from Spain longer than yours Mr Chairman. Does that give them the right to claim restoration of their sovereignty over Ecuador?”

www.gibraltar.gov.gi/images/stories/PDF/pressoffice/pressreleases/2013/371-2013.pdf

I like the new tact that these territories are taking.
Jun 01st, 2013 - 03:03 am 0
Biguggy
It is good to see, well from the Government Representatives of the Falklands and Gibraltar anyway, a resume of the failings of the C24 sub-sub-committee.
This together with the not so subtle warnings from the Secretary General may, just may, wake them up to what they are supposed to be doing rather than just enjoying the 'perks' of their position and listening to the Annual Whine from Argentina which in my view is outside the mandate of said sub-sub-committee.
Jun 01st, 2013 - 07:16 am 0
Pete Bog
C24 is useless it's job to de-colonise has not been achieved over how many years?

It is, the Re-colonisation committee, but has failed in its objectives to deny Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands basic human rights.

Only one option for Argentina now-use the old fashioned colonialist method of invading the FIs and get ass kicked by de-colonialist UK.
Jun 01st, 2013 - 07:57 am 0

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