United
Nations
Human
Rights
Council,
9th
Special
Session: ‘The Grave Violations of Human Rights in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory including the recent aggression
on the occupied Gaza Strip’
Geneva, 12 January 2009
Explanation of Vote with regard to the draft resolution A/HRC/S-9/L.1
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union members of the
Council.
In its previous Statement, the European Union has expressed its utmost concern at
the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, as well as at the severe humanitarian and
human rights situation on the ground. We deeply deplore the high number of civilian
casualties and we wish to convey our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the
families of victims.
The European Union has welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council resolution
1860, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza between combating forces and
for tangible steps towards intra-Palestinian reconciliation. The EU reiterates its call
for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and a renewed peace process as set out
in Annapolis and in conformity with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and
the Quartet's roadmap. The EU calls upon the parties to desist from any actions that
threaten the viability of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.
The EU is also ready to step up its already substantial assistance for the
improvement of the humanitarian situation of the people in need and it will continue
to support the delivery of urgently needed food, health, shelter and other
emergency assistance to the people of Gaza.
Mr. President,
The EU welcomed convening of this Special Session and was ready to cosponsor it
with a title better reflecting the current grave human rights situation in Gaza.
We wish to acknowledge our deep appreciation to the ambassador of Palestine and
other relevant stakeholders for their genuine effort and commitment to reach
consensus. We also welcome convening of the open-ended informals and the
constructive discussion that took place there.
The EU could support many of the elements contained in the draft resolution that
stands before us, notably the appeal to both parties of the conflict to act in
accordance with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights
Law. However, we regret that, despite tremendous efforts on both sides, some of
the EU’s major concerns could not be accommodated making it impossible for the EU
to support the text as a whole. We mainly regret that the resolution does not
objectively reflect the situation on the ground as it omits condemnation of rocket
attacks by Hamas on Israel and its victims.
Mr. President,
For the reasons I have just explained, the Member States of the European Union,
which are members of the Human Rights will abstain in the vote on the resolution
L.1.
Members States of the European Union that are not members of the Council align
themselves with this position.
Thank you, Mr. President.