“Self-determination lies with the Falkland Islanders, and sovereignty lies with the UK”
By Simon Walters (*) At the heart of Argentina’s illegitimate claim over the Falkland Islands is a historical falsehood. British sovereignty over the islands dates back to 1765, before the Argentine Republic even existed.
The heart of Argentina's claim over the Falkland Islands rests on a historical falsehood. British sovereignty over the islands predates the existence of the Argentine Republic. British Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno's op-ed in the Jerusalem Post echoes this assertion. The United Kingdom maintains that the Falkland Islands are British, with self-determination residing with the Islanders.
Argentina's historical claim is grounded in a falsehood. British sovereignty over the islands dates back to 1765, predating the Argentinian Republic. In 1833, an Argentinian garrison stationed on the Falkland Islands was expelled by British forces, with no Argentine civilians expelled. The region that now constitutes Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province did not become part of the Argentinian Republic until decades after the 1833 expulsion.
The principle of self-determination is paramount in discussions of the Falkland Islands. Enshrined in the UN Charter and the UN Covenants on Human Rights, this right is universal. Despite repeated calls for sovereignty talks, the Falkland Islanders' choice remains clear. In the 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters opted to remain an Overseas Territory of the UK, reflecting their long-standing desire for British sovereignty.
Despite this clarity, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, defying the UN Charter. This illegal invasion resulted in 255 British deaths and three Falkland Island losses. The UN Security Council demanded Argentina's immediate withdrawal, prompting Britain to retake the islands militarily. This invasion, launched by Argentina, resulted in immense loss of life, echoing the pain experienced by Israelis in defending their nation.
Despite our desire for a peaceful and productive relationship with Argentina, we remain committed to the right of self-determination for the Falkland Islanders. Their democratic decision will guide our actions. The Falkland Islands are British and will remain so.
Written by urgent.news from MercoPress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
