Swiss ambassador: Gaza resolution “a sign of hope”
Published: Monday, Mar 25th 2024, 18:10
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The adoption of a resolution in the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is "finally a sign of hope". Swiss Ambassador to the UN Security Council in New York, Pascale Baeriswyl, said this to the body on Monday.
Switzerland had worked tirelessly with all Council members to pass this resolution, said the diplomat. The legally binding resolution was submitted jointly by all ten non-permanent members of the Council. With this statement of unity, they hoped to dissuade the five veto powers from voting no.
The strategy worked: The resolution was adopted by 14 votes, with only the USA abstaining. "We had a clear common goal, a clear and unambiguous call for an immediate ceasefire that would lead to a lasting, sustainable ceasefire," Baeriswyl continued.
According to the ambassador, it was high time that the Council agreed on this demand. In view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, a ceasefire was only the first step. The implementation of the resolution must help to ensure that the civilian population is provided with the necessary aid via all possible access routes.
The resolution also makes a clear demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, said Baeriswyl. Finally, she expressed the hope that the implementation of the resolution could mark a return to more humanity in the Middle East. "Human dignity and decency must characterize us as an international community," said the ambassador.
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