UNGA RESOLUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Realtions)

Context: India is committed to countering terrorism such as the Hamas attacks on Israel, and has concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza despite the country’s decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a humanitarian truce.

UNGA Resolution:

• An “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
• It also demanded “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped within the enclave amid an expansion of Israeli ground operations and bombardment.
• The non-binding resolution proposed by Jordan was adopted by a large majority of member states, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
• Israel, the US, Hungary and five Pacific Island states were among the countries that voted against the resolution at an extraordinary special session.

Why India abstained?

• Reasons: The absence of all elements of India’s approach being covered in the final text of the resolution. The scale and intensity of violence witnessed so far is “an affront to basic human values”. Violence also does not pave the way for any durable solutions
• Amendment proposed: The resolution did not include any “explicit condemnation” of the terror attacks by Hamas.
• India’s proposal: India calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. “Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,”

UN General Assembly 

• Establishment: In 1945 under the United Nations (UN) Charter
• Member Countries: All 193 members
• UNGA President: The UNGA is headed by its President, who is elected for a term of one year.
• Composition: United Nations General Assembly comprises all 193 Members of the United Nations.
• Mandate: provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. 
• It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law.