Statement by H.E. Mr. Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh at the joint general debate under all agenda items on decolonization (items 51-55) at the Fourth Committee of the 77th Session of the UN, 13 October 2022

Mr. Chair,

Let me begin by congratulating you and other members of the Bureau on your election. You can count on my delegation’s full support to the work of the 4th Committee.

 

Mr. Chair,

In 1960, the General Assembly declared by its resolution 1514 (XV) on “Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples” about taking immediate steps for transferring all powers to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence. However, more than 61 years have passed since the adoption of this declaration, still it remains unfulfilled and we have 17 non-self-governing territories under colonial domination around the world.

Bangladesh, from its own devastating experience of being occupied by the foreign powers, adopted a Constitution just after the independence with a principled position of supporting oppressed peoples throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism, colonialism or racialism. We also recall the maiden speech of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbur Rahman in this august assembly where he emphasized on the right to self-determination of the people. In line with our long-standing position, we have always been supporting the aspiration of people under foreign occupation and colonial domination to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

 

Mr. Chair,

In this second year of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021 – 2030), we commend the initiatives and the work of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization, i.e. C-24 and welcome the recommendations made by the Committee in its report titled A/77/23. Bangladesh will continue to support the work the Special Committee. We are looking forward to the future programme of work and activities envisaged for 2023 by the Committee. In this regard, we urge the administering powers to fully cooperate with the Special Committee including facilitating the Committee’s field missions in the territories under their administration. We also emphasize on the development and finalization of a constructive programme of work, on a case-by-case basis, for the Territories, to facilitate the implementation of the mandate of the Committee and relevant resolutions on decolonization, including resolutions on specific Territories as aimed by the Committee to be done in 2023.

 

Mr. Chair,

We echo the Secretary-General’s call to ‘ensure no Territories are left behind in the fight against the pandemic’ made in the 2021 Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization. The existing challenges in the non-self-governing territories have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Concerted efforts and cooperation are needed to address the unique challenges of the territories, support the pandemic recovery efforts and keep continue the implementation of Agenda 2030. We underscore the responsibility and obligation of the administering Powers to promote the political, economic, social and educational advancement of the inhabitants of the Territories. At the same time, we highlight the importance of deepening cooperation between ECOSOC and the Special Committee for the coordination of the policies and activities of specialized agencies as requested in the General Assembly resolution 76/87.

Mr. Chair,

We are equally concerned to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel and continued encroachment on Palestinian land and natural resources. Bangladesh reiterates its position of supporting the just cause of the people of Palestine for an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, under a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders. Without ensuring the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people for a just and lasting solution to their legitimate aspirations, the target of eradicating colonialism cannot be achieved.

Mr. Chair,

There can be no doubt that the implementation of the decolonization mandate of the Special Committee is a necessary condition for the establishment of peace in the world. Before concluding, I reiterate Bangladesh’s commitment to advance the agenda of the full realization of aspirations of the people of the non-self-governing territories.

I thank you all.