KUALA LUMPUR: A human rights group strongly urged the United Nations (UN) to ensure Israel's accountability for the genocidal attack on Gaza.
The Centre For Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) founder and chairman, Azril Mohd Amin emphasised the critical need for immediate action, stressing the importance of seeking retribution to enforce the resolution.
He highlighted that without swift measures, the resolution loses its effectiveness and becomes futile.
At the same time, Azril urges the Malaysian government to exert further pressure for effective implementation of the resolution.
"As a current member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC 2022-2024), Malaysia must take substantial steps to ensure the resolution's demands are met where ceasefire is imposed and further loss of life of innocent civilians, especially those of women and children, can be prevented," he said in a statement today.
He also highlighted that the UN General Assembly's determined approval of the Middle East resolution (Item 5 - A/ES-10/L.27 Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations) yesterday sent a powerful signal regarding the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution yesterday, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
"The non-binding resolution, presented by Egypt, with the support of nearly 100 countries, including Turkiye, passed with 153 votes in favour as the 193-member General Assembly gathered for an emergency special session on Palestine.
"Ten countries, including the United States (US), Israel, Austria, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Paraguay and Liberia, voted against the resolution while 23 others, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Ukraine, abstained from voting.
Azril asserted that the resolution, known as Uniting for Peace, forcefully demands a humanitarian ceasefire, the protection of civilians, immediate release of hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid.
This adoption unequivocally signifies widespread opposition to Israel's ongoing military actions, particularly conveying this message to the US.
It was recently reported that the UN on Tuesday demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as US President Joe Biden warned Israel it was losing international support because of its "indiscriminate" bombing of civilians in its war against Hamas.
After dire warnings by UN officials about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries voting in favour and 23 abstaining.
The US and Israel, which argue a ceasefire only benefits Hamas, voted against the measure along with eight other countries.
The resolution is not binding but carries political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The US vetoed a similar call in the 15 member Security Council last week.
