Once again we are reminded that peace does not come without justice. Once again we are reminded that no peace will be just and durable when it is not based on a foundation of universal human rights and international law, that is built on morality and ethical conduct. We are also reminded that Israel continues to ignore United Nations resolutions that call for the end of occupation and the full implementation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. As long as the international community refuses to take action on behalf of the Palestinians, a just and long lasting peace cannot be established. The UN Human Rights Committee noted that self-determination was a crucial principle of collective human rights.
Autonomy is a concept repugnant to the exercise of the right of self-determination of peoples.
The Palestinians had not acquired their independent nationhood at the conclusion of the British Mandate and the transfer of the Question of Palestine to the UN in 1948. Their right to self-determination had not been abrogated or dissolved at that time. On the contrary, it became active, in possession, and awaits implementation. The Oslo Accords could never derogate from the right to self-determination which asserts the right of the Palestinian people to freely decide on their own political, economic, social and cultural status. This was reaffirmed more strongly in UNGA 2787 of 6 December 1971.