Vietnam protests use of force in Gaza Strip

Addressing a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 18 on the human right situation in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, the Ambassador said Vietnam closely follows the situation and is concerned about the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, which killed and injured many Palestinian people.

The diplomat called on all parties to restrain themselves, end the escalation of tension, deal with the situation through peaceful measures, and exert more efforts to seek a comprehensive, fair and sustainable solution ensuring the safety for people and legitimate rights of all relevant parties as well as peace and stability in the region.

The Vietnamese Ambassador stressed that all solutions related to Jerusalem must be in conformity with international law, especially UN resolutions, with the consensus of all relevant parties.

He declared Vietnam’s consistent stance of supporting the just fight of Palestinian people and backing the two-state solution, including the formation of a State of Palestine co-existing in peace with the State of Israel along the pre-1967 border, with East Jerusalem being the capital of Palestine.

At the session, convened at the request of 25 members and 37 observers of the UN Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and representatives from more than 80 States and international organisations condemned the abuse of antipersonnel weapons that killed and wounded thousands of Palestinian civilians. They called for a long-term solution to the conflict on the foundation of peaceful and secured co-existence of the Palestine and Israel States.

Concluding the session, with 29 votes in favour, two against and 14 abstentions, members of the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force against civilians, requesting the end of violence. 

The council decided to form an independent commission of inquiry to investigate violations of human right and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip. 

Reports on investigation results should be delivered in the UN Human Rights Council’s 39th and 40th sessions slated for September 2018 and March 2019 respectively.

On May 14, 60 demonstrators in Gaza were killed by Israeli forces, marking the highest one-day death toll in the territory since the 2014 hostilities. According to UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, who addressed the council, 87 Palestinians have been killed during protests beginning March 30, including 12 children, and more than 12,000 others have been injured; 3,500 of them by live ammunition.