GENERAL DEBATE ON ITEM 7 – “HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN PALESTINE AND OTHER OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES”. 58th session of the Human Rights Council. Geneva, 26 march 2025.
Cuba on behalf of the Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic People´s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, State of Palestine, Sudan, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Mr. President:
Cuba has the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of like-minded countries.
We condemn the renewed attacks by Israeli occupation forces on 18 March against the defenceless Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, in flagrant violation of the ceasefire, and we deplore plans, policies, and actions aiming at the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland.
As a result of the cruel bombings, hundreds more Palestinians have been killed, including entire families.
We demand the immediate restoration of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
These actions add to the total blockade that in recent weeks has prevented the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.
The figures reported by United Nations agencies are alarming. 1.8 million people, over half of whom are children, are in desperate need of water, sanitation, and hygiene. The acute water shortage in Gaza has reached critical levels, with only one in ten individuals having access to safe drinking water.
The loss of humanitarian workers, medical personnel, journalists, and UN officials further exacerbates the crisis, as those working to assist the Palestinian people are also being targeted.
We underline the urgency of allowing the immediate and unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
The magnitude of the suffering and pain endured by the Palestinian people, particularly the women and children of the Gaza Strip, is beyond words. The Palestinian people are deprived of the most basic human rights, including the right to life.
Mr. President:
We reiterate our strong condemnation of the gross and systematic human rights violations committed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Human Rights Council must do more to bring this tragic situation to an end and ensure accountability.
We emphasize our support for the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
We demand an end to Israel's illegal occupation and that the creation of an independent Palestinian State is ensured based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we stress that any early recovery and reconstructions plans must aim at achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and ensure their right to return and right to self-determination.
We also reaffirm our support for the admission of the State of Palestine as a full Member State of the United Nations, so that it can take its rightful place within the community of nations.
Thank you.