Justice pour Tous Internationale: Advocating for Self-Determination in the UN
- JPTi
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 26
On 9 June 2025, Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi), in partnership with the International Probono Legal Services Association (IPLSA), delivered oral interventions to the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The interventions represented the voices of the colonially subjugated. JPTi addressed the ongoing denial of self-determination in French Polynesia and New Caledonia, also pressing for similar legal considerations for Scotland.
French Polynesia: A Call for Recognition
In the morning session, Matilde Pacheco highlighted that despite having internal governance mechanisms, French Polynesia remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory. France maintains full control over critical areas, including foreign policy, defence, monetary policy, and constitutional interpretation. JPTi reminded the Committee of Resolution 67/265 (2013), which acknowledged these unresolved colonial conditions and urged France to meet its obligations under Article 73(e) of the UN Charter. The organization also condemned the cultural and ecological consequences of nuclear testing, as well as the ongoing marginalization of indigenous Polynesian identities.
📺 Watch the French Polynesia statement: French Polynesia Statement
New Caledonia: Urging Action
In the afternoon session, Ambassador Craig Murray addressed the recent unrest in New Caledonia, attributing it to the long-standing disenfranchisement of the Indigenous Kanak people. France's retention of critical sovereign powers, particularly over the judiciary and the territory's vital nickel industry, contradicts Resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV). JPTi urged the UN to recognize that recent unrest stems directly from colonial conditions and called for an end to practices like the forced transfer and detention of Kanak activists to mainland France.
📺 Watch the New Caledonia statement: New Caledonia Statement
Scotland: A Parallel Case for UN Action
Building on comparative legal memoranda from JPTi and the Liberation Scotland movement, we assert that Scotland meets the same legal thresholds as French Polynesia and New Caledonia for recognition as a Non-Self-Governing Territory. Despite devolution, Scotland remains constitutionally subordinate to the United Kingdom, lacking sovereignty over defence, currency, foreign affairs, and constitutional law. The UK Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that Scotland cannot hold a binding referendum without Westminster’s consent exemplifies the structural denial of legal self-determination.
Historical Context
Scotland's experiences parallel those of UN-recognized colonial territories in many ways:
The 1707 Treaty of Union and its ratifying Acts were not effectively implemented. Scotland was not integrated as a partner within a new, unified British state; it was rather annexed into an unchanged English constitutional framework, hidden by the symbolic renaming of England as the "Kingdom of Great Britain."
Consequently, Scotland was territorially subsumed, with its sovereignty extinguished. Its institutions were either dissolved or subordinated. This has resulted in enduring consequences, including cultural suppression, economic underdevelopment, demographic distortion, and constitutional subordination.
The term 'union' between Scotland and England is a legal fiction.
Like the Kanak and Polynesian peoples, the Scottish face the systemic suppression of indigenous languages (Gaelic and Scots) and institutional erasure of cultural identity. This is further compounded by economic dependency, particularly in the management of North Sea resources, which remain under exclusive UK control.
Crucially, Scotland lacks international legal personality. It cannot conduct foreign affairs and has no access to internationally supervised referenda. These conditions have been interpreted by the UN as indicative of ongoing colonial status.
A Call for Universal Self-Determination
⚖️ JPTi confirms that the principle of self-determination applies universally. It is a legal right and should not be offered as a political favour. We urge the C-24 and the General Assembly to formally consider Scotland's status under Resolutions 1514 (XV) and 1541 (XV), as was done for French Polynesia in 2013 through Resolution 67/265.
Understanding the UN Decolonization Process
To assist in understanding how the UN manages decolonization, particularly through C-24, it's important to note the strict protocols involved. Only regions on the UN's list of “Non-Self-Governing Territories” can be discussed. Currently, Scotland is not on this list, restricting any dialogue on its situation.
For Scotland to be added, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) must first adopt a resolution recognizing Scotland as a territory for decolonization. This resolution must go through the UN’s Fourth Committee, which deals with political and decolonization matters. The good news is that, unlike referendums that require consent from the UK Government (Westminster), the UN process does not. Instead, a single UN member state must sponsor and introduce the resolution, initiating the formal process.
Craig's Essential Work
Craig Murray's efforts are critical at this juncture. He is actively seeking countries willing to sponsor Scotland's resolution. He is also collaborating closely with the peoples of New Caledonia and French Polynesia, who are already on the UN’s list and working towards exercising their right to self-determination. Their experiences serve as the most relevant examples for Scotland.
A Call to Action
In the meantime, raising awareness is crucial. Share this information widely. If you are active on social media, please like, share, and repost updates. Doing so builds momentum and demonstrates global support for Scotland's right to choose its future.
🕊️ Justice pour Tous Internationale remains committed to international legal integrity, equity in the decolonization process, and the dignity of all peoples. Whether in Nouméa, Papeete, or Edinburgh, the struggle for sovereignty must be met with principled resolve. JPTi and its partners condemn all forms of violence and call on all parties in dispute to resolve their differences through peaceful means and structured dialogue at the negotiation table. This approach aligns with international law and the spirit of the United Nations Charter.
