Defeat for the right to self-determination

Juan Gasparini/HRT

The Consultative Council of the UN Human Rights Commission, composed of 18 independent experts, ended its deliberations for 2008 on Friday August 15 at the Palais des Nations. It did not manage to reach agreement on granting the right of people to self-determination. A project floated by Jean Ziegler of Switzerland, a member of the Committee, attempting to achieve this right was reviewed despite opposition from his colleague Embarek Warzazi of Morocco.

Ziegler would like to review the right, established by the UN during the colonial era of the 1950s and highlighted by the recent example of Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, all of which “involve the rights of indigenous peoples.” Ziegler also sought to organize a seminar on the theme “with the view of presenting conclusions and recommendations to the (Human Rights) Council and the (UN) General Assembley.” Without a consensus however, the Committee was forced to seek permission from the Council to return to this question next year.

Translated by PT