Distinguished chair
IHRAAM endorses the provision of advisory services and technical assistance to countries that request it, among them Venezuela, as the High Commissioner stated in her oral update of 9 September, reaffirming her commitment to cooperate with the authorities. The High Commissioner noted the severe impact of unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States, which exacerbate the economic crisis and trigger refugee flows. IHRAAM recalls the 2012 report of High Commissioner Pillay, condemning sanctions that cause hunger and death and encourages this HC to demand the immediate lifting of sanctions, which according to a report by Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Marc Weisbrot have already caused the deaths of 40,000 Venezuelans. IHRAAM welcomes the High Commissioner’s call to pursue the dialogue facilitated by Norway
With regard to the report of the Independent Expert on International Order, Livingstone Sewanyana, IHRAAM endorses his recommendation that global governance spaces proactively encourage public participation in all relevant stages of discussion and decision-making. In particular, IHRAAM proposes that indigenous peoples have greater presence in international fora and a special status as “peoples”.
IHRAAM recalls paragraph 69(n) of the independent expert’s General Assembly report A/68/284 and calls for revisiting General Assembly resolution 1469 of 12 December 1959 concerning Alaska and Hawaii. IHRAAM endorses the 23 Principles of International Order submitted to the 37th session of the Council by the earlier mandate holder, especially the realization of the right of self-determination of peoples as a conflict-prevention strategy.
With regard to the conflict in Kashmir, IHRAAM considers the unilateral abrogation of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution of India incompatible with relevant UN Security Council Reslutions and a violation of the right of self-determination of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir. A UN organized and monitored self-determination referendum is overdue.
Thank you.
Professor Alfred de Zayas
Alfred de Zayas' Human Rights Corner 