2024-09-21 23:06:22
Published: 11:17, 19 September 2024
An important resolution was adopted at the ongoing 10th special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly expressing support for the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Thursday (July 19) declaring Israel’s occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories illegal.
The resolution presented by Palestine was co-sponsored by 53 countries including Bangladesh.
When the resolution was put to a vote, 124 countries voted for it, 14 countries voted against it, and 43 countries abstained. Bangladesh voted in favor of the resolution as a co-sponsor country.
In light of the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, the resolution called on Israel to end its illegal presence in the Palestinian territories and, as a first step, to end the Israeli military operation in Gaza. It calls for the establishment of an international mechanism to redress the damages caused by Israeli wrongdoing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The UN Secretary General is also requested to submit a report on the implementation of this resolution. The resolution also called for accountability for atrocity crimes committed by Israel in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons. The resolution decided to hold an international conference by the United Nations General Assembly within one year to find ways to establish an independent Palestinian state. In fact, the resolution is being considered as an important step in resolving the Middle East crisis by implementing a two-state solution.
During the special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly on the occasion of presenting the resolution, Ambassador Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, gave a speech highlighting Bangladesh’s position. Ambassador Muhith hailed the decision of the International Court of Justice as historic and urged all member states to abide by it. He expressed Bangladesh’s deep concern over the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the death of thousands of Palestinian civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire in light of UN Security Council Resolution 2728. Ambassador Muhith pointed out that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state through a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders is the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the Middle East.
Besides, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations praised the role of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in order to ensure accountability for crimes such as genocide and illegal occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories by Israel. He also appreciated the statements made by the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the grave humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza.
/Hasan/Saif/