Argentines unite against Malvinas referendum

Argentinian government and opposition have joined hands to reject the results of an ongoing referendum on the British administration of the Malvinas Islands.

Residents of the South Pacific archipelago will go to voting stations for the second day of a plebiscite on Monday that asks them “Do you wish the Falkland Islands (Malvinas Islands) to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?”

An overwhelming “yes” vote is expected in the poll but Argentina says the referendum is designed by London to justify its illegal 180-year presence on the islands.

Buenos Aires argues that the results of the vote are not binding because Britain has long replaced the original inhabitants of the region with its own subjects and is now effectively asking Brits whether they want to remain British.

Against such a backdrop, ruling Argentinian Victory Front and opposition lawmakers have coordinated efforts to formally reject the plebiscite.

Members of the Victory Front, Progressive Front and Radical Party have officially requested a special Congress session to endorse a statement in condemnation of the referendum.

“We must denounce the trap that hides under the appearance of popular participation in an implanted population case. Such advertising maneuver has no validity for international law,” Victory Front senator Daniel Filmus said.

Britain names the islands as Falklands and lists them as one of its Overseas Territories.

However, the United Nations does not recognize London’s position and lists the islands as one of the colonies awaiting liberation.

According to the United Nations’ Special Committee on Decolonization, which is in charge of implementing the Declaration on Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Britain has illegally occupied the islands since 1833.