Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora’s statement to the UN Special Committee on Decolonization outlined the consequences of colonialism and urged the international community to take action.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR) joined dozens of leaders and activists today at the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization’s annual session concerning Puerto Rico and delivered an urgent call for the island’s decolonization and sovereignty.

BUDPR leader and board member Calvin Yohannan addressed the committee on behalf of our organization. He underscored that the United States’ rule over Puerto Rico has lasted far longer than most colonial relationships in history and urged the committee’s members—many of whom represented former colonies—to take action for Puerto Rico’s liberation as they would for their own peoples.

“Next month will mark 127 years of colonial rule over Puerto Rico by the United States. That is longer than British colonial rule over India; longer than French rule of Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, and Tunisia; and more than twice as long as Belgian rule over the Congo,” said Yohannan.

Describing the colonial status as the “sickness” at the heart of Puerto Rico’s ongoing crises, Yohannan also urged the committee to recognize that Puerto Rico’s decolonization must not be dependent on U.S. domestic politics—especially at a time of political chaos in the United States.

“The United Nations must also act because the United States has shown that it will not. Puerto Rico is a nation, and our political future cannot be at the whims and mercy of American politicians. And at this moment, reliance on the U.S. government is a recipe for disaster.”

Yohannan also highlighted the growing support for sovereignty in Puerto Rico.

“Today, the movement for freedom is resurgent: last year, more than 40% of Puerto Rican voters supported sovereignty for the island,” he said.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora has delivered a statement calling for Puerto Rico’s independence at the United Nations. As the only national political organization in the United States advocating for Puerto Rico’s sovereignty, our engagement with international institutions like the United Nations is part of a diverse portfolio of action that includes Congressional advocacy, digital organizing, thought leadership, and educational efforts to build a broad movement for decolonization and independence.

As part of this work, BUDPR partnered with the International Justice Clinic at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, which conducted research on Puerto Rico’s colonial status and the United Nations’ obligations under international law. Students from the clinic also petitioned the committee today, delivering a statement in favor of Puerto Rico’s decolonization and sovereignty and urging the UN to take action.

“We were honored to work with the International Justice Clinic and very gratified that they joined us today to share their expertise at the United Nations,” said BUDPR president Alberto Medina. “We need more American citizens, organizations, and institutions to join the fight for freedom and justice in Puerto Rico, because it is their government perpetuating Puerto Rico’s political subordination.”

After the conclusion of the UN session, Yohannan and other BUDPR leaders were set to join activists and artists at the Puerto Rico Freedom Rally on Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza.

“It was a privilege to address the United Nations today,” said Yohannan. “So many of us grew up idolizing organizations like the UN and believing they could help create a more just world. But that respect fades with every year that the UN doesn’t take action on issues like Puerto Rico’s status. We will keep fighting until our work helps change that.”