UN passes Pakistan-sponsored resolution on right to self-determination.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a Pakistan-sponsored resolution reaffirming people's right to self-determination and calling on countries to immediately cease their foreign military intervention in and occupation of foreign countries and territories, as well as acts of repression, discrimination and maltreatment.

The resolution, co-sponsored by a record number of 83 countries, was recommended by the 193-member Assembly's Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues.

"The resolution reaffirms the inviolability of the right to self-determination for all peoples without exception, including, of course, the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine," Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, who is currently in Islamabad.

Under the terms of the text, the General Assembly reaffirmed the universal realisation of the rights of all peoples, including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination, to self-determination as a fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights.

"Pakistan has historically been a proud champion of self-determination," Ambassador Lodhi said.

"Our support for the right of people to...