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UN 4th Committee:Timor-Leste calls for acceleration of decolonization process in Western Sahara, MINURSO Human Rights mandate

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Dili (Timor-Leste),12 October 2022 (SPS) -The Ambassador and Permanent representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the UN, H.E. Mr. Karlito Nunes, affirmed in his Country's intervention yesterday before the 4th, Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on the Question of Decolonization in New –York that “Western Sahara is the last Africa’s colony that remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory under this Special Committee since it was first listed in 1963. The recent development in the disputed territory, especially the escalating tensions that took place since November 2020 has raised our concern over further challenges posed towards the efforts in finding the best and peaceful solution to the issue.
“The breach of the 1991 ceasefire agreement which led to the resumption of hostilities between the parties may pose serious consequences for peace, security, and stability for the region. To support the efforts in promoting peace and security in the disputed territory, we call on the UN main policy-making organ to consider strengthening the UN peacekeeping presence in the disputed territory by adding a human rights component to the mandate of MINURSO to monitor the human rights situation in the territory. In addition, we urge the occupying power to allow the UN visiting Missions and the Red Cross Organization to visit the disputed territory to help in addressing the humanitarian needs of the people of the Western Sahara.
“We welcome the judgment of the General Court of the European Union in September 2021 to cancel the trade deal between Morocco and the European Union, which safeguards the inalienable rights of the people of the Western Sahara towards their natural resources in line with the UN Charter and with the General Assembly resolution 1514, containing the Declaration on decolonization, as well as their right to enjoy their natural resources in their best interest. We also note with satisfaction the recent decision of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights with a judgment concluding that Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara is a violation of the right to self-determination and independence.
“We wish to underscore that only the Saharawi people have the rights to decide on their own future, and any proposed solution, including the so-called autonomy proposal of the occupying power, will need to be considered only by the people of the Western Sahara through a free and a fair Referendum organized by MINURSO.
“As always, we stand ready to continue to support our Saharawi brothers and sisters, and we will use any important momentum as a great opportunity to work for more progress towards the exercise of their rights to the self-determination of the Saharawi people.
In this connection, we join several delegations here in calling for the acceleration of the decolonization process of Western Sahara under the supervision of the United Nations through MINURSO, which will immediately allow the people of Western Sahara to freely decide their own future in line with relevant General Assembly resolutions,” concluded the Ambassador and Permanent representative of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the UN, H.E. Mr. Karlito Nunes.
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