UNITED NATIONS – Guyana has defended its decision to abstain from voting on the United States sponsored draft United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza that was ultimately vetoed by China and Russia.
Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett explaining her country’s decision to abstain on a UN Security resolution on the fighting in Gaza (CMC Photo)The US draft resolution had called for, but not demanding, a ceasefire in Israel’s continuing war on Gaza. The draft put before the Council received 11 votes in favour, three against – from Russia, China and Algeria – and one abstention by Guyana.
Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said after five months of war in Gaza, and the “horrific attacks “ of October 7, 2023, “this Council has still not been able to adopt a text that addresses all the dimensions of conflict in a manner that impacts the situation on the ground and upholds the rule of law”.
Guyana said while it welcomes the US initiatives to develop a draft resolution and the transparency in 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 feed back.
She said Guyana, which is the only Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country with a seat at the UN Security Council this year, abstained on the draft resolution for a number of reasons.
The Guyanese diplomat said contrary to media and other reports “this resolution does not call for an immediate ceasefire,” adding it “determines the imperative for a ceasefire…and calls for support for diplomatic efforts that are ongoing outside of the UN.
She said while those efforts must be commended given the responsibility and mandate of the UN Security Council “Guyana could not support a resolution that does not unequivocally calls for an immediate ceasefire”.
She said thousands of people, mainly women and children in the Gaza have become victims of the war that began when Hamas terrorists groups invaded Israel and took several people hostage on October 7 last year.
She said experts have indicated that it would take years to clear millions of tonnes of rubble and unexploded weapons “scattered” across the Gaza. She said also the country could be facing a famine.
“In summary this man made disaster cannot be halted without an immediate ceasefire and it is this Council’s responsibility to unequivocally demand one even as it acknowledges the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the United States.”
She said that the demand for a ceasefire should not be linked to or on the condition of 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 crimes of others”.
Rodrigues-Birkett said Guyana is of the view that the US draft text lacks attribution in a number of key areas, adding ”while the draft includes the condemnation of Hamas for the October 7 attacks and demands that they immediately grant humanitarian access to the hostages, and rightfully so, there is no attribution ir demands to the Israeli authorities for what is taking place in Gaza”.
She said that the draft resolution did not address “not even once” many concerns that ultimately would require an answer from Israel.
“Indeed if one were to read this resolution without background knowledge it would be difficult to ascertain which party in this conflict is committing the atrocities in Gaza,” she said, noting that in a resolution of 41 paragraphs, 2036 words, the occupying power is mentioned once”.
She said that the UN Security Council still has an opportunity to take action to end the sufferings of all parties in the Gaza “from the 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. Guyana is prepared to work with other Council members to respond to their needs and legitimate aspirations, including and very important the two state solutions.
“This must not be postponed,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
