Trieste, Zone A of the Free Territory of Trieste – Context and Key Demands
During the 13th BHR Forum and the 17th Minority Forum, the precarious situation of minorities in Zone A of the Free Territory of Trieste was highlighted. According to legal research, this area has been under military occupation since October 25, 1954, with significant legal implications under International Humanitarian Law.
13th BHR Forum: Legal Research and Public Spaces
An independent researcher presented findings from their postgraduate research in International Law, revealing that restrictions on public spaces in Zone A occur under military occupation, not civilian administration. This entails:
1. Since 1954, the local population has been entitled to protections under the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law, though these rights have not been effectively communicated.
2. Minorities face limitations in visibility and representation in public spaces, violating applicable legal frameworks.
Demands:
• An impartial, high-level examination of the military occupation and its implications.
• Measures to ensure adequate access and representation for minorities in public spaces.
17th Minority Forum: Education and International Rights
The Provisional Government of the Free Territory of Trieste denounced:
1. The manipulation of the education system by the Occupying Power, erasing local history in favor of propaganda.
2. Ongoing violations of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions.
3. The lack of meaningful dialogue with the Occupying Power and the international community’s silence.
Requests to the United Nations:
1. Act as a mediator between the Free Territory and the Occupying Power to end the occupation and initiate decolonization.
2. Grant the Free Territory of Trieste Observer status at the United Nations, an ISO code, and internationally recognized travel documents for its citizens.
3. Reintroduce the appointment of a Governor for the Free Territory on the United Nations Security Council agenda.
4. Establish an international commission on Trieste or, if necessary, deploy a UN Mission to oversee compliance with International Law.
5. Ensure an educational system aligned with international standards and human rights.
Conclusion
Both interventions emphasized the urgent need for concrete actions by the international community to safeguard minority rights, address the occupation, and ensure compliance with International Law. The Free Territory of Trieste calls on the United Nations to support the restoration of legality and protect its local population.