China Urges Accurate Understanding of Right to Self-Determination

The international community should have a full and accurate understanding of the principle of self-determination and protect it well, Chinese Ambassador Qiao Zonghuai said Wednesday.

The right of self-determination is elaborated in relevant articles of the Charter of the United Nations and is reiterated in many following international decisions and documents, Qiao told the 56th session of the Commission on Human Rights.

Regrettably, he said, a small number of individuals with ulterior motives have openly advocated separatism against sovereign states under the pretext of self-determination. "These moves are far from promoting and protecting human rights, but rather, have distorted the principle of self-determination by carrying out activities in the name of 'human rights'," Qiao pointed out. "This willful trampling upon the U.N. Charter and the basic principles of international law are certain to be firmly opposed by all peoples of the world."

The right of self-determination is an important component of human rights, endowed for people of all countries, especially the oppressed nations, to resist imperialism and colonial rule, and to struggle for national independence and people's liberation, Qiao went on.

"No country should be allowed to impose its own ideology and social system on others," he stressed. "The domineering over the weak by the strong and the bullying of the small by the big as well as interfering into others' internal affairs by means of political pressure, economic sanctions or even armed invasion will constitute gross violations of the Charter of the United Nations and the right of self-determination."

He said that the right of self-determination entitles all peoples to choose, on their own, political and social systems, economic models and paths of development, resist all forms of foreign aggression, interference and control, safeguard state sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, China has urged parties concerned to adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach for the promotion of the continued progress of the Middle East.

"The key to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East lies in restoring all the rights the Palestinian people are entitled to, including their right of self-determination, and in achieving a fair and just solution to the Palestinian issue," said the Chinese ambassador at the meeting on self-determination.

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