UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001133 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KPAL AORC UNGA SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON PALESTINIAN SELF-DETERMINATION, MISSING PERSONS, TIP AND MORE ¶1. In the afternoon meeting on November 20, the UN General Assembly Third Committee took action on 12 draft resolutions. The following draft resolutions were adopted by consensus: A/C.3/63/L.23, entitled "National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;" A/C.3/63/L.25, entitled "Effective promotion on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities;" A/C.3/63/L.36, entitled "Missing persons;" A/C.3/63/L.9, entitled "Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons;" A/C.3/63/L.55, entitled "New international humanitarian order;" A/C.3/63/L.5/Revision 1, entitled "Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly;" A/C.3/63/L.14/Revision 1, entitled "Future operation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women;" and A/C.3/63/L.29, entitled "Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa." The United States is a co-sponsor of A/C.3/63/L.36, A/C.3/63/L.5/Revision 1, and A/C.3/63/L.29. The United States delivered Explanations of Position (EOPs) on A/C.3/63/L.25/Revision 1 and A/C.3/63/L.9/Revision 1. The complete texts of these and all other U.S. statements can be found at www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov. ¶2. The Committee passed the following draft resolutions by vote: A/C.3/63/L.43, entitled "Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification," in a vote of 118 in favor, three against, and 60 abstentions; A/C.3/63/L.52*, entitled "The right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," in a vote of 175 in favor, five against, and five abstentions; A/C.3/63/L.45, entitled "Equitable geographical distribution in the membership of the human rights treaty bodies," in a vote of 122 in favor, 53 against, and four abstentions; and A/C.3/63/L.28, entitled "Globalization and its impact on the full enjoyment of all human rights," in a vote of 125 in favor, 53 against, and three abstentions. The United States called the vote on A/C.3/63/L.43 and A/C.3/63/L.45, and voted against and delivered Explanations of Vote (EOVs) on each of the draft resolutions adopted by vote. ¶3. The United States, EOV on draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.52* stated that the draft resolution reflected an outdated approach, and noted that one-sided resolutions did not contribute to resolving the conflict. The Israeli delegate reaffirmed her government's support for the Palestinian people's realization of their right to self-determination, but only in the context of a two-State solution, with the Palestinian people accepting the existence of an Israeli homeland. The delegate said that the draft resolution affirmed self-determination in a one-sided manner, without placing responsibility on the Palestinians to ensure Israeli citizens, safety. The Palestinian observer said that denial of the right to self-determination remained the "major crux" of the Palestinian people's suffering. She said that Israel had demonstrated its opposition to this right by voting against the draft resolution, and that the United States, vote against it sent an inconsistent message, as the United States had expressed its support for a Palestinian State in other forums. She called upon the United States to reconsider its vote and its "inconsistent" approach. Wolff