MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: Sierra Leone says self-determination is paramount and supports sending C24 mission to the Islands

Sierra Leone delegate Osman Kamara “people are the holders of the right to self-determination”

Sierra Leone, member of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization maintained that the rights of the Islanders, present in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands for 180 years, should be paramount to any settlement and that self determination was the guiding principle of any resolution to the question. “There is no dispute that the people are the holders of the right to self-determination”.

Furthermore Sierra Leone delegate Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative Osman Kamara fully supported accepting the outstanding invitation extended to C24 to visit the Falklands so as to assess the situation on the ground.

“We have consistently maintained that the Islanders rights to self-determination should be respected and that any solution short of this will not be durable and sustainable”, said delegate Osman Kamara last Thursday when the Falklands/Malvinas question was debated at C24 in New York.

“It has become evident that my delegation has reiterated in our previous statements that the interest and wishes of the inhabitants, is an important indicia in the equation, which cannot be ignored”.

He added that it was worthy to recall that there is an outstanding invitation extended to the Committee and relevant Stakeholders by the Falkland Islanders with the view to assessing the situation on the ground.

“My delegation is of the fervent belief that much could be gained by such visit. It is therefore incumbent on the Committee to reflect the need for it in any outcome Resolution on these deliberations”.

Follows the Sierra Leone delegate statement:

“Allow me to express the profound appreciation of the Sierra Leone delegation for the constructive and efficient manner in which you are conducting the work of this Committee and for introducing this item. My delegation also wishes to avail itself of this opportunity to assure you of its fullest cooperation. Like other delegations, I would like to also welcome the distinguished Foreign Minister of Argentina and the honourable delegation from the Falkland Islands.

“We appreciate the statements delivered by the two delegations, which will no doubt help to enrich and inform our discussion on this critical topic.

“The General Assembly in resolution 637 (VII) of December 1952 reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing self-determination as a prerequisite for the realization of all fundamental human rights and that Member States of the United Nations should uphold self-determination of all peoples and nations. It is in the spirit of resolution 637 (VII) and article 73 (b) of the Charter of the United Nations, that my delegation has repeatedly maintained that the rights of the Islanders who have lived in the Island for almost 180 years – nine generations should be paramount in any negotiated settlement.

“I am sure you will agree with me that subjecting peoples to alien domination constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights and violates the people’s right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. There is no dispute that the people are the holders of the right to self-determination.

“If this committee could reflect, it has become evident that my delegation has reiterated in our previous statements that the interest and wishes of the inhabitants, is an important indicia in the equation, which cannot be ignored.

“In this regard, the view often expressed in this Committee both here in New York and at Regional Seminars is that Non-Self Governing Territories have different needs, expectations and concerns and that it is incumbent upon us as a Committee to deal with the reality on a case-by-case basis, always giving due consideration and primacy to the wishes, aspirations and well being of the peoples of the territories.

“In that connection, the position of my delegation on the question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been consistent and has not changed. We have always used self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter as a guiding principle whenever the issue comes before this Committee for consideration. We have consistently maintained that the Islanders rights to self-determination should be respected and that any solution short of this will not be durable and sustainable.

“It is worthy to recall that there is an outstanding invitation extended to this Committee and relevant Stakeholders by the Islanders with the view to assessing the situation on the ground. My delegation is of the fervent belief that much could be gained by such visit. It is therefore incumbent on the Committee to reflect the need for it in any outcome Resolution on these deliberations.

“We have also repeatedly expressed before this Committee that controversy over claims of sovereignty of the Islands should be resolved through peaceful means and negotiated settlement. Therefore, the resumption of earnest bilateral talks and negotiations on the matter, involving all stakeholders including the Islanders themselves, is in our view, the right approach. We accordingly urge all concerned to see the need to continue to engage together and with the Committee as appropriate”.