The recent passage of a Pakistan-sponsored resolution by the United Nations General Assembly recognising people’s right to self-determination is critical for Palestine. As Israel’s military strikes on Gaza escalate, killing tens of thousands and displacing many more, this resolution serves as a reminder of the international community’s commitment to individuals living under foreign occupation, particularly Palestinians.

Pakistan’s stance in promoting this resolution has been continuous for decades, demonstrating its long-standing sympathy for oppressed peoples not only in Palestine but also in other areas such as Kashmir. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, Pakistan’s efforts at the UN demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of international diplomacy in resolving persistent disputes.

The notion of self-determination is a cornerstone of international law. It is inscribed in the United Nations Charter and reinforced by other international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The notion, also key to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, advocates for all peoples’ freedom to freely choose their political status and pursue economic, social, and cultural development.

The UN General Assembly’s acceptance of Pakistan’s resolution is more than simply symbolic; it reaffirms the worldwide agreement that self-determination is a fundamental right. It speaks directly to the heart of the Palestinian struggle—a people whose right to self-determination has been systematically denied by decades of Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, and, most recently, a brutal military campaign that has claimed the lives of countless civilians,........

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