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What is the News?
India has abstained from voting on the resolution at the UN Human Rights Council(UNHRC) on Gaza. The resolution calls for the setting up of the Commission of Inquiry on human rights violations in the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine.
About the UNHRC Resolution:
- The resolution was moved by Pakistan and Palestine. It called on the president of the UN Human rights council to set up the Commission of Inquiry on human rights violations to investigate violence in the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine.
- The resolution was passed by 24 votes in favour and nine votes against the resolution,
- Significance: This would be the first time that a Commission of Inquiry received a mandate that is not time-bound i.e. “
continuing mandate”. - Until now, the Commissions of Inquiry set up by UNHRC to probe human rights violations like in Syria or Sri Lanka had a validity of one year. It has to be renewed periodically.
Why has India abstained from voting on the resolution?
- India has abstained from voting on the resolution along with 13 other countries. It also includes France, Japan, Nepal, Brazil, and South Korea. But India did not give an explanation of its vote at the session.
- But while speaking at the session, India has welcomed the ceasefire announced by Israel and Palestine.
- India has also called on both parties to refrain from any attempts to unilaterally change the existing status quo including in East Jerusalem and its neighbourhood.
- Further, India has also reiterated its demand for the establishment of two States living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders.
- However, India has dropped the stock phrase of its strong support to the “just Palestinian cause” in its statement. This phrase used to be part of Indian statements in the past. This signals a slight shift away from Palestine and towards Israel.
Source: Indian Express
