The Right to Self-Determination

The right to self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle in international law. It is embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Common Article 1, paragraph one of these Covenants provides that: “All peoples have the rights of self determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their, economic, social and cultural development.”

Peace & Progress pledges its total support to the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and to all those Israeli peace groups which struggle with such courage and firmness of principle for Palestinian rights. We demand the implementation of UN resolutions 242 and 338, and 194. Resolution 242 passed by the Security Council in 1967 requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied during that war to pre-1967 borders. Resolution 194, passed by the UN General Assembly in 1948, supports the right of return by resolving "that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible." Resolution 338 passed by the UN Security Council in 1973 reaffirmed resolution 242 and called for its implementation in "all its parts."