UNPO Covenant

Sep 21, 2018

 

UNPO COVENANT

As amended on 30 September 2023 - Extraordinary General Assembly - Online

 

 

INDEX

Title I: General Provisions

Title II: Provisions Governing Participation

Title III: Provisions Governing Institutions

Section I: The Assembly

Section IIA: The Presidency

Section IIB: The Management Committee

Section III: The Secretariat

Section IV: Regional Chapters

Title IV: Financial Provisions

Title V: Suspension and Termination of Participation

Title VI: Liquidation of the Organization

Title VII: Amendments to the Covenant

 

PREAMBLE

Affirming the principles of Democracy, as enshrined in the Vienna declaration, as fundamental and inalienable human rights;

Noting that political and civil rights are guaranteed to individuals and communities through international law and binding covenants, such as the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights;

Aware that individual rights are inextricably linked to the recognition and protection of collective rights, as well as the free expression of collective identity, religious beliefs, opinions and dignity;

Convinced that the existence and enjoyment of these political and civil rights are themselves the product of past struggles and solidarity, and that a continued and committed effort is still necessary in order to achieve their universal and effective implementation;

Whereas the right to self-determination is enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is affirmed as a fundamental human right and international peremptory norm, its implementation should be based on its broadest and most comprehensive understanding; including autonomy, devolution, and power-sharing, and federalism in all its forms, rejecting thereby a narrow focus and charges of secessionism;

Convinced that the principles, methodology, and practice of Gandhian nonviolence and nonviolent civil-resistance are the most effective means of pursuing and enforcing both collective and individual rights, we, the undersigned Nations and Peoples, reaffirm our unreserved commitment to such principles, rejecting in the process terrorism, extremism, discrimination and violence in all its forms;      

Convinced that the protection of the environment and its natural resources, in particular in the context of climate change and related shortages of potable water, is linked to the fundamental rights of Nations and Peoples everywhere, necessitating respect for the enshrined rights of free, prior, and informed consent, so as to guarantee their right to determine their own future and the protection and respect for their ancestral lands and resources;

Also convinced that the fulfilment of indigenous rights can only be achieved through the promotion of equality in rights and opportunities between the genders, as well as equal participation in civic life for all individuals;

Aware that whilst the forceful transfer of populations and other forms of demographic manipulation, including ethnic cleansing, represent serious breaches of universal rights, the free circulation of ideas, information, people, and capital should be guaranteed as central to the promotion and affirmation of freedom and democracy everywhere within the overarching paradigm of human rights and international law.

Therefore, by the present Covenant, the Participating Nations and Peoples, represented by the undersigned Representatives, establish among themselves the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (the "Organization").

 

 

Title I - General Provisions

Article 1

It shall be the aim of the Organization, by assisting Participating Nations and Peoples (“Members”) to express their positions, needs and grievances in legitimate forums and by providing a community of support, to advance the fulfilment of the aspirations of Participating Nations and Peoples by effective non-violent means.

 

Article 2

For the purposes set out in Article 1, the activities of the Organization shall include, but shall not be limited to:

a) the facilitation of consultation, exchange of views and experiences, and cooperation with each other, to the extent desired by the Members;

b) assistance in effectively utilising available procedures of United Nations bodies and specialised agencies and of other international and regional organisations;

c) training in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, including United Nations diplomacy and the principles of international law;

d) training in advocacy, negotiation skills and professional assistance in conflict management and resolution;

e) training in non-violent strategies and professional assistance in the development of strategic plans and policies;

f) professional legal and public relations advice;

g) providing an information service for the dissemination of information provided by Members to the public and among their own people;

h) assistance in the development of democratic institutions and processes and in the monitoring of elections and referenda;

i) assistance in the development and implementation of measures designed to protect the natural environment and the creation of sustainable development projects.

 

Article 3

a) The achievement of the tasks entrusted to the Organization shall be ensured by:

1. The General Assembly;

2a. The Presidency;

2b. The Management Committee supervising the implementation of the overall policy of the Organization, as mandated by the Presidency;

3. The Secretariat.

Each of these institutions shall act within the limits of the powers conferred upon in this Covenant.

b) The institutions listed in subsection (a) of this Article may be assisted by an International Advisory Council, acting in a consultative capacity, under the direction of the GA, the Presidency and the Secretariat.

c) The Secretariat may be assisted by a Board of Advisors, consisting in an association of individual members who may provide assistance to the Secretariat in carrying out its tasks as volunteers and/or provide financial support to the Organization through membership fees and individual donations.

 

Article 4

Each Member shall take general and specific measures which are appropriate to assist the Organization in achieving its aims and shall refrain from actions intended or reasonably expected to harm the Organization or impede its activities.

 

 

Title II - Provisions Governing Participation

Article 5

Participation is open to all Nations and Peoples who are not adequately represented at the United Nations and whose Representative Body, as defined in Article 6 of this Title, fulfils all requirements set out in this Title and declares:

a) Belief in the equality of all Nations and Peoples and in their inalienable right to self determination;

b) Adherence to the internationally accepted human rights standards as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and the United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, among others, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council;

c) Adherence to the principles of democratic pluralism and rejection of totalitarianism and any forms of religious intolerance;

d) Promotion of non-violence and the rejection of terrorism or violence as an instrument of policy;

e) Respect for all peoples and population groups, including minority or majority populations within territories inhabited by the Member but belonging to different ethnic, religious or linguistic groups;

f) To promote democracy, non-violence and the rule of law;

g) To promote and protect the natural environment, keeping in mind the purpose of social justice between all and in particular the UN Sustainable Development Goals;

h) To believe in and promote equality between genders and move toward more gender balance within the Representative Body.

 

Article 6

For the purposes of this Covenant:

a) A Nation or People shall mean a group of human beings which possesses the will to be identified as a nation or people and to determine its common destiny as a nation or people, and is bound to a common heritage which can be historical, racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious or territorial. A section of a people constituting a minority, living on a portion of its ancestral territory, incorporated into a State other than a State represented by that People, is included in this Article’s definition.

b) Representative Body shall mean a government, legislative body, liberation movement or other organ of leadership, whether in the territory of the Nations or People or in exile, recognised as such by a substantial section of the people which the Representative Body claims to represent; a Representative Body can also mean a coordinating organisation or other form of association of two or more organs of leadership of one Nation or People or an organisation or association of two or more Nations and Peoples. An organisation shall be considered representative when it has substantial recognition as a leadership body of the nation or people it claims to represent; it promotes the interests of the people; has a form of democratic governance; and is committed to non-violence.

 

Article 7

A Nation or People, through its Representative Body, may apply to become a Member in the Organization by submitting the following information to the Secretariat for consideration of Membership to the Organization by the Presidency:

a) a brief history of the Nation or People;

b) the reasons for the desire to become a Member in the Organization;

c) adequate evidence of the recognition of the Representative Body as an organ of leadership by the people it claims to represent;

d) a formal declaration of adhesion to the present Covenant and the principle of non-violence;

e) evidence of the democratic character of the Representative Body’s leadership structure;

f) the statute of the Representative Body;

g) the latest annual financial- and activity report of the Representative Body;

h) payment of the application fee.

 

Article 8

Participation in the Organization does not in any way imply agreement among Participating Nations and Peoples on each other’s objectives, policies, or allegiances and does not require any form of cooperation or solidarity beyond what is contained in this Covenant.

 

Article 9

Members must adhere to nonviolent means to achieve their goals. Members shall not use the Organization or any of its bodies or services to promote the use of violence.

 

Article 10

The Presidency, on recommendation of the General Secretary, will decide on all applications. The General Assembly must ratify this decision with a simple majority vote. Membership applications will not directly be considered by the General Assembly.

 

Article 11

The General Secretary shall make prior notification to all Members of all Membership applications that he or she intends to recommend for the Presidency’s consideration, providing Members with a sufficient and clearly defined period to ascertain if any Member has specific grounds for objection to an application.

 

Article 12

The Presidency shall take serious note of the interest of existing Members so that the admittance of a new Member does not harm the interest of the existing Members or damage the Organization’s credibility, harmony and unity.

 

Article 13

Every Member of the Organization is obliged to contribute an annual Membership fee to the Organization; the amount of this contribution will be set by the General Assembly.

 

 

Title III - Provisions Governing Institutions

Section I: The Assembly

Article 14

The Assembly, which shall be composed of delegations representing participating Nations and Peoples, shall exercise the powers of deliberation and control which are conferred upon it by this Covenant.

 

Article 15

Each delegation shall have the right to one vote in the Assembly and all Members shall have equal rights to be elected and participate in the Assembly, provided that they fulfil the duties of Membership and have paid all their due annual fees.

 

Article 16

The Assembly shall hold regular sessions at least once every 12 months. The Assembly may meet in extraordinary sessions at the request of a majority of Members or at the request of the Presidency. The date and location of each Assembly session shall be determined by the Presidency. In case the General Assembly is not convened within 12 months, the Presidency or 40% of the Members of the Organization, shall decide on the date and location of the General Assembly, which will be held no later than 60 days after such a decision.

 

Article 17

The Assembly shall adopt the agenda at the start of each session on the basis of recommendations of the Presidency.

 

Article 18

The Assembly shall elect the President, 2 (two) Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer every 2 (two) years.

 

Article 19

The Assembly shall act by a simple majority of votes of delegations present, except for those questions which require a different majority pursuant to subsequent sections of the Covenant.

 

Article 20

The President of the General Assembly or the General Secretary may invite individuals, governmental or non-governmental organisations or States to attend as Observers to the regular sessions of the Assembly, subject to the approval of the Assembly. The Assembly shall decide on the rights and duties of Observers by a simple majority.

 

Article 21

Every year, the General Assembly will consider and approve the financial report of the Organization as well as, the budget. Both the financial statement and budget will be elaborated and presented by the General Secretary and the Treasurer.

 

Article 22

Every 2 (two) years, in a face-to-face meeting, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the General Secretary and the Presidency and adopt (a) General Resolution(s) concerning the mandate of the General Secretary and the Presidency. This General Assembly will also include the elections to the Presidency.

The mid-term General Assembly, held in between the elections to the presidency, can be held on-line or face-to-face, and will consider a mid-term report of the General Assembly.

 

Section IIA: The Presidency

Article 23

The Presidency shall be composed of the President,2 (two) Vice Presidents, 1 (one) Treasurer of the General Assembly and 7 (seven) persons, each representing a Member, who will serve for one term of 24 months. Presidency persons elected shall represent different Members than the President,  Vice-Presidents and Treasurer.

 

Article 24

The Presidency shall be elected by the General Assembly, in accordance with its Rules of Procedures.

 

Article 25

The Presidency shall meet at least three times during their term. The Presidency shall adopt its own rules of procedure and vote with a simple majority.

 

Article 26

The Presidency shall have the duty to supervise the implementation of the overall policy of the Organization during its term as mandated by the Assembly. The Presidency will represent the General Assembly and will closely collaborate with the General Secretary in carrying out the overall activity of the Organization.

 

Article 27


The duties of the President shall include:
a) To chair the meetings of the General Assembly and the Presidency; and
b) To represent the Organization.


Article 28


The duties of the Vice-Presidents shall include:
a) To replace the President in his/her functions by delegation of the President; and
b) To assume specific roles and strategic responsibilities by delegation of the Presidency.

 

Article 29

The duties of the Treasurer shall include:
a) To supervise the managing of the financial affairs of the Organization, in accordance with applicable governing financial laws;
b) To make sure that  proper and regular books of accounts of all receipts and payments of the Organization, including the creation of an annual balance sheet are maintained by the Secretariat; and;
c) To present a financial report of the Organization to the Presidency and the Assembly, jointly with the General Secretary;


Article 30


The duties of the members of the Presidency shall include:
a) To attend the Presidency meetings; and
b) To assume specific roles and strategic responsibilities by delegation of the Presidency.

 

Section IIB: The Management Committee

The Management Committee shall consist of the President, the 2 (two) Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, and the General Secretary, plus 2 (two) additional Members elected at large by the Presidency.

The Management Committee shall supervise the implementation of the overall policy of the Organization as mandated by the Presidency.

All decisions taken by the Management Committee are subject to approval of the Presidency.

 

Section III: The Secretariat

Article 31

1) The Secretariat shall consist of a General Secretary who shall serve as the Executive Director.

2) The General Secretary may, in carrying out his duties, appoint additional staff. if the budget of the organization allows it, an administrative/financial officer, in charge of keeping the books of the Organization, should be appointed.

3) The General Secretary who need not belong to a nation or people represented in the Organization shall serve at the pleasure of the Assembly on recommendation of the Presidency.

 

Article 32

The duties of the General Secretary shall include:

a) to direct the day-to-day operations of the Organization;

b) to represent the Organization in its day-to-day activities;

c) to establish and operate bank accounts for the benefit of the Organization, under the supervision of the Treasurer;

d) to present status reports annually to the Members, periodic reports to the Presidency and status reports to the General Assembly. These reports shall include the following information: the names and addresses of representatives of Members and of members of the Presidency, the status of Membership applications, a description of the overall financial situation of the Organization and a description of the activities of the Organization during the previous year, including any additions, changes or amendments to the Covenant;

e) to coordinate the activities of Regional Chapters when established in order to better accomplish the aims and objectives of the Organization;

f) to perform any duties delegated or requested by the Assembly or Presidency and Members;

g) to inform the Members on the Organization’s activities through the website of the Organization and other available means of communication including social media;

h) to prepare a plan of work for the Organization for the next term to the General Assembly, as well as a strategic plan outlining the medium- to long-term goals of the Organization;

i) To manage the financial affairs of the Organization, in accordance with applicable governing financial laws; to maintain proper and regular books of accounts of all receipts and payments of the Organization, including the creation of an annual balance sheet;


j) To present a financial report of the Organization to the Presidency and the General Assembly, jointly with the Treasurer; and


k) To ensure that the Secretariat at all times conforms their conduct to the requirements of all applicable laws, in compliance with whichever jurisdiction they are operating in.

 

Title IV - Financial Provisions

Article 33

Funding for the Organization shall come from Members or from international organisations, corporate or private contributions and fundraising activities, as may be approved by the Management Council/Committee.

 

Article 34

The Membership fee of the Members set by the General Assembly for the following year shall be paid before the end of the calendar year.

 

Article 35

The system of accounting shall conform to generally accepted accounting standards, which includes an external auditing of the financial reports.

 

 

Title V - Suspension and Termination of Participation

Article 36

Members may terminate their Membership in the Organization if they desire upon sending formal notice through their main representative of the organisation to the General Secretary. Termination shall be effective upon receipt of notice by the General Secretary and the Presidency.

 

Article 37

In the event that the Participating organisation representing a Member is no longer representative for the specific nation or people, when the organisation ceases to exist, merges with another organisation or in any other way sees a profound change in organisational status, or when there is an indication that the participating organisation might not fulfill other requirements of Membership as laid down in this Covenant, the Presidency at the recommendation of the Secretariat can start a preliminary examination.

 

Article 38

1) The Presidency may suspend any Member upon a report, based on a finding of credible evidence that the Member has been in grave breach of the Covenant or persistently failed in its obligations under the Covenant.

2) Without prejudice to section 1 of this article, the Presidency may temporarily suspend a Member summarily without such finding if, in its opinion, the breach or failure on the part of the Member has been grave enough to warrant immediate intervention.

3) Any suspension must be reported to the next General Assembly which may ratify, revoke, or decide on any appropriate measure.

 

Article 39

A Nation or People which becomes a member of the United Nations is expected to remain a supporter of the Organization. 

 

 

Title VI - Liquidation of the Organization

Article 40

The Organization shall cease to exist if Members so decide with a two-third majority.

 

Article 41

The procedure to dissolve the Organization shall be executed by a committee, appointed by the General Assembly and the General Secretary.

 

 

Title VII - Amendments to the Covenant

Article 42

Amendments to the Covenant shall be approved by two-thirds of the Members present at the General Assembly.