Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - December 8th, 2023
I thank the presidency for convening this briefing at the timely request of the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation. I thank the Secretary-General for his important briefing.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling and without precedent. Secretary-General Guterres, for the first time since the beginning of his tenure, invoked Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations to address this Council, and it is not that the world has been spared from serious conflicts elsewhere since then. We commend the Secretary-General’s initiative, which conveys another express call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Appeals for a humanitarian ceasefire from the international community, the United Nations, humanitarian actors and also by all members of the Council have justifiably multiplied over the past few weeks, after more than two months of conflict. An urgent ceasefire is even more needed now, since the resumption of hostilities. The conflict has brought the humanitarian system in support of civilian lives in Gaza to the point of total and unprecedented collapse. Over 80 per cent of Palestinians in Gaza have been uprooted from their homes and are becoming increasingly deprived of the minimum necessary to survive. These conditions are unacceptable.
We recall Brazil’s efforts in this Council since the very beginning of the crisis, including during its presidency. Our draft resolution (S/2023/773) was supported by the vast majority of Council members, but was vetoed by a permanent member, as was the case with other drafts. Our proposal called for immediate humanitarian pauses, among other provisions. If adopted on that occasion, thousands of lives would have been saved.
Brazil also spared no efforts in joining international initiatives in support of a humanitarian ceasefire and to ensure the protection of civilians. We are being constantly reminded that there is no safe place in Gaza. The repetition of that extremely worrying statement, compounded by the increasing and devastating human toll prompted by the conflict, constitutes another wake-up call to this Council. We must step up and act responsibly to respond to the unfolding tragedy. The dramatic humanitarian situation leaves us with no alternative: we need an immediate halt in hostilities, for as long as necessary, allowing for proper humanitarian action. The provisions of resolution 2712 (2023), recently adopted by this very Council, must be fully implemented. In the absence of this, we, particularly those responsible for any failure, risk complicit and judged very negatively by history. It is difficult to express the frustration that many of us continue to feel. That frustration is not just with Council inaction. We urge all those with power to influence the key stakeholders to allow for the necessary conditions for meaningful action by the Council.
Mr. President,
Once again, it is necessary to reiterate that obligations under international law and especially international humanitarian law must be respected in any conflict. We recall the need to act according to the principles of distinction, proportionality, necessity and humanity. The protection of the civilian population and civilian infrastructure is an obligation under international humanitarian law, as is the prohibition of forcibly displacing civilians or the taking of hostages. We reiterate the call to allow access to hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross. All that unfortunately applies the current hostilities in Gaza.
There can be no politically and morally justifiable attitude towards the growing tragedy in Gaza other than working to protect civilian lives now and keeping up the pressure for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages still held captive. We, members of the Council, have more than a moral imperative now. We need to do what is in our reach to stop this humanitarian catastrophe. Failing in that task would likely result in a scenario iwhere the authority and legitimacy of the Council would erode even further, proving its incapacity to discharge its duties according to the Charter of the United Nations, to the detriment of world peace and security, as we have seen in recent days.
As a consequence of all I have just said, we will vote in favour of the draft resolution to be presented by the United Arab Emirates for a vote this afternoon (S/2023/970), and we are co-sponsoring it.
Thank you.