PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PRINCIPALITYOF LIECHTENSTEIN TO THE UNITED NATIONS

General Assembry, Thirdcommittee: Debate agenda on item 6g Rightof peoples selfdetermination to New York, Z November2OO7

TIECHTENSTEIN
Statementby Mr. patrick Ritter DeputyPermanent Representative
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Liechtenstein of the view that the right is of peoples self-determination, to if appliedin a meaningful innovative and way, hasthe potential be an important to tool for the promotion and protectionof human rights as well as for the preventionof conflict. we have, therefore'been a long-standing supporter new approaches this of to right and have repeatedly advocated comprehensive a discussion the concept self-determination. of of
lnnovative approaches are based on the fact that the exercise of the right to selfdeterminationcannot be equatedwith attainingindependence, accordance in with General Assembly Resolution 2625, also known as the Friendry Relations Declaration.Viewed more broadly as entailingvariousforms of seli-administration self-governance, and

the right

to self-determination offer new perspectives peaceful can on coexistence fallingshortof secession independent and statehood. support view thatthe application this right We the of is not restricted the contextof decolonization the situation peoples to or of underforeign occupation, that it pertains all peoples statedin commonarticle 1 of the two but to as Covenants humanrights. on

For this reasonwe are pleased that the recentlyadoptedDeclaration the Rightsof on Indigenous Peoples containsa numberof provisions the issueof self-determination on which mark an impoftantnew step in the way the United Nationsis dealingwith the conceptof self-determination. takinginto account self-determination indigenous By the of peoples, entails broadening the conceptregarding it a of situations wherethe rightto selfdetermination applicable. addition, is In the Declaration introduces rightto autonomy the or self-government matters in relating internal to and local affairs a way to exercise as to rightto self-determination thereby goesbeyond exclusive too narrowfocuson and the and independent statehood. offersa promising lt new approach which showsthat the rightto self-determination could be applied to addressthe desire of many peoplesto give expression their distinctiveness to create an environment to and conduciveto their enjoyment humanrights, of without resorting violenceand posinga threatto territorial to integrity.

In this context, it is essential keep in mind that, in agreement to with a modern interpretation the rightto self-determination, attention to be paid to the specific of due has circumstances when it comesto its implementation. fact that different The solutions are considered suitablefor differentpeoplesand their specificsituations should not be considered weakness a but rathera strengthof the broaderconceptof the right to selfdetermination, sinceit allowsfor tailored and therefore morepromising approaches.