GUYANA wants an unconditional, permanent ceasefire in Gaza

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, March 23, 2024 -  Assuming the Chair of presidency of the United Nations Security Council, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett declated that “Guyana could not support a resolution that does not unequivocally call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

In defending Guyana’s  abstention from voting on the United States (US)-sponsored Security Council resolution on Gaza, she made it clear that the resolution did not call for an immediate ceasefire, Rodrigues-Birkett said: “Guyana could not support a resolution that does not unequivocally call for an immediate ceasefire. 

Nearly 32,000 persons have been killed in Gaza since October 7, the majority of whom are women and children. More than 74,000 have been maimed. Initial UN assessments have concluded that it would take years to clear 23 million tonnes of rubble and unexploded weapons scattered across Gaza.”

Ambassador noted that after five months of war in Gaza, and the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, the  Security Council has still not been able to adopt a text that addresses all the dimensions of the conflict in a manner that impacts the situation on the ground, and upholds the Rule of Law.

“While Guyana welcomed the US initiative to develop a draft resolution, and the transparency with which the negotiations were conducted, we are of the view that, given the length of time spent on those negotiations, and certain positions consistently expressed by several delegations, the draft could have better reflected the broad-based feedback,” she said.

A US-drafted resolution, urging but not demanding a cease-fire in Israel’s ongoing attack on Gaza, was not approved by the UN Security Council. 

There were eleven votes in support; three against from China, Algeria, and Russia, and one abstention from Guyana that were cast on the text that was presented to the Council on Friday.

Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett argued that the demand for a ceasefire should not be linked to or conditioned on the release of hostages.

 “The taking of hostages is strictly prohibited under international law, and their release must be unconditional. Guyana reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. 

Two wrongs cannot make a right, and the Palestinian people should not be collectively punished, and themselves held hostage for the crime of others,” she stated.

Rodrigues-Birkett, speaking more about the draft, said that while it included the condemnation of Hamas for the October 7 attacks, and demands the immediate granting of humanitarian access to the hostages, there is no attribution or demands to the Israeli authorities for what is taking place in Gaza.

“We have heard, briefer after briefer, both from the UN system and civil society describing the situation on the ground, explaining where the problems are and who is responsible for creating these problems. 

Why, then, were the relevant demands in the resolution not clearly addressed to the occupying power? Not even once was this done,” the Ambassador said, while adding that if one were to read the Resolution without background knowledge, it would be difficult to ascertain which party in the conflict is committing the atrocities in Gaza.

“The Fourth preamble of Paragraph Seven was of particular concern to Guyana. This Council is the organ with the charter responsibility for addressing threats to peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression.

 In Guyana’s view, this is in direct contravention of the Council’s responsibility; it would set a dangerous precedent, and make the Council complicit in the atrocities being committed in Gaza now and in the future,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.

DISAPPOINTED

While applauding the coordinators’ efforts, Guyana held the view that the scale of efforts that would be required in Gaza after the war would warrant a keen role for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), given its decades of experience in the Strip, and its capacity, vis a vis other agencies operating there.

“This Council has heard many times of the indispensability of UNWRA; it is the lifeline for Palestinians. We were, therefore, disappointed that the only mention of UNWRA in the draft pertained to the investigations into the allegations against a small number of its staff,” she said.
 

She added that Guyana, supported by several delegations, had requested an affirmation of UNRWA’s important mandate in the text, but this was not taken on board.

Rodrigues-Birkett said: “Mr. President, dear colleagues, this Council still has an opportunity to take action to end the suffering of all parties. 

Civilians in Gaza need a respite, Palestinians need a respite, Israelis need a respite. Both need a respite from this continuous cycle of violence and pain; that is the real window of opportunity, the strong desire by the people of Palestine and Israel for peace.”

The Ambassador further stated: “Guyana is prepared to work with other Council members to respond to their needs and legitimate aspirations, including, very important, the two-state solution. This must not be postponed.”