Self Determination for Gibraltar Group says treaty reflects Gibraltar’s modern self-government

The Self Determination for Gibraltar Group has told the United Nations that Gibraltar is not a relic of the past, but a modern, self-governing territory with its own institutions, laws and democratic voice.

Addressing the Special Committee on Decolonisation in New York, SDGG Chair Richard Buttigieg said the new treaty agreement on Gibraltar expressly recognised Gibraltar’s jurisdictional authority, including its laws and administration.

He said this showed Gibraltar was a territory administering itself, and that its lived reality should be recognised by the Committee of 24.

Mr Buttigieg said the agreement set the sovereignty dispute aside and allowed the reality of Gibraltar to speak for itself.

The SDGG chair said Gibraltar was the focal point of a bespoke agreement because of its unique circumstances, rather than simply an object of dispute between the United Kingdom and Spain.

He questioned on what principle Gibraltar could still be referred to as a colony, given the extent of its self-government and the democratic wishes of its people.

He said Gibraltar did not want preferential treatment, only recognition of its status and of the rights of its people.