Feb 01, 2011

UNPO Celebrates 20 Years of Nonviolent Struggle


 

The Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the International Court of Justice, plays host to the Vice President of Zanzibar and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia during commemorative activities marking the 20th Anniversary of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization.

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On 11th February 1991, leaders and representatives of non-violent freedom struggle movements, including Tibet, East Turkestan, the Crimean Tatars, Australian Aboriginals, the Baltic States and the Greek Minority in Albania convened at the Peace Palace in The Hague and founded UNPO.

Twenty years later, a variety of events taking place on 11th February 2011 in The Hague, City of Peace and Justice, will mark UNPO’s 20th Anniversary, recognizing the organization’s crucial role in giving voice to marginalized nations and peoples around the world. An international group of Founding Fathers will gather alongside current Members and honorary guests from around the world to share in the successes of the previous two decades.

The anniversary remains a bittersweet reminder of the critical situation of minority populations, indigenous peoples and occupied or unrecognized territories in the world today since rather than reduce in its scope and mandate, UNPO has instead grown from 15 founding members to more than 50 today. 

 

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An international conference at the Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice, entitled “Tracing the Past to Look Forward” will investigate the evolution of understanding the terms Self-Determination and Autonomy over the previous two decades. Key speakers and honorary guests include,

His Excellency, Seif Sharif Hamad, First Vice President of Zanzibar,

Maxim Gundjia, Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia,

Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy to his Holiness the Dalai Lama,

Emma Bonino, Vice President of the Italian Senate (TBC),

Member of International Court of Justice (TBC),

Harry van Bommel, Member of Dutch Parliament from the Socialist Party,

and the the Honourable Ambassador of Bolivia to The Netherlands.

The International Policy Advisor of the City of The Hague will congratulate UNPO's 20th anniversary on behalf of the Mayor of The Hague. 

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The anniversary will also see the opening of a Photo Exhibition entitled "Unhidden Faces" at the Atrium, City Hall of The Hague, which will run until 2nd March 2011. The exhibition will showcase images depicting UNPO’s Members, their diversity in ethnicity, culture, religion and politics which remain largely unknown to world. It will be opened on 11th February 2011 at 4p.m. by a prayer chant led by Khmer-Krom Buddhist Monks, followed by a welcoming address by Ms. Marjolein de JongVice Mayor of The Hague. For more information on the Photo Exhibition please visit to website of The Hague Municipality.

 

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PLEASE NOTE: The conference requires registration however the photo exhibition is free and open to the public. UNPO looks forward to welcoming the general public during its celebrations.

Any questions, press inquires or comments can be directed to Ms. Caroline de Bruin, through e-mail cdebruin[at]unpo.org or by telephone +31 070 36 46504

The UNPO 20th Anniversary Commemorative Publication, Provisional Programme of the Conference Tracing the Past to Look Forward and Press Releases can be found in the top right corner.