Statement delivered by Her Excellency Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN at the United Nations Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East”

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening this important meeting.

I also thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his sobering and frank briefing.

Mr. President,
Peace and freedom are the natural aspirations of all our peoples, and a Middle East at peace is possible. However, it requires a commitment to peace by all countries in the region and the international community and to achieving that peace through dialogue and diplomacy, premised on the international rule of law. Bombs and bullets cannot guarantee security for any country but, on the contrary, heighten mistrust and potentially breed extremism. In such a climate, peace cannot be advanced. Further, there can be no piecemeal approach to peace that leaves Palestine behind. The Palestinian question remains central to the Middle East peace process and there can be no avenue to peace that undermines the inalienable right of Palestinians to self-determination. Guyana therefore calls on all countries of the region and the international community to recommit to the Middle East peace process and to a just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question as the foundation for a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Against this background, we must all be profoundly concerned at the situation tragically unfolding in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon. We must further be concerned at the fact that repeated appeals by the international community for recourse to dialogue and peace as the only path to true security for Israelis and Palestinians, remain unheeded while the situation on the ground dangerously escalates. This Council must take cognizance of the fate of the multiple resolutions it has adopted prior to and since October 7, 2023, and the current sequel of atrocities which continues. We must also reckon with the disregard of orders issued by the International Court of Justice in January, March and May this year, which are binding in international law.

Mr. President,
The lack of compliance with international law and obligations relative to the ongoing atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon is an obstacle to peace in the Middle East. This is compounded by continuing attacks by armed groups and dangerous regional escalation.

This Council must therefore grapple with the need to bring about compliance and de-escalation in the face of persistent Israeli intransigence and continuing armed attacks. Achieving this is the foundation for securing an immediate end to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate release of the hostages, and for laying the groundwork for lasting peace in the region. The ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon have severely aggravated insecurity in the region and any viable peace process must begin with a permanent and unconditional end to the hostilities. Guyana therefore reiterates its call for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Mr. President,
To ensure that a ceasefire is sustained, there must be a suite of measures to ensure that atrocities are brought to an end, and that peace is advanced in the region.
These measures must include a strong accountability framework so that atrocities are not committed with impunity. The lack of accountability in these wars continues to breed record levels of impunity, with the victims being thousands of innocent civilians who are subject to killing, injury, starvation and other indignities.

The measures must also include action by all Member States to ensure that they are not contributing to the perpetuation of the wars.

Mr. President,
In relation to the occupied Palestinian territory, and as we look ahead, it would be useful for there to be an international mechanism to ensure that a ceasefire is upheld and to guarantee the safety and security of civilians.

In the case of Lebanon, the violations of resolution 1701 must end and UNIFIL must be allowed to fully implement its mandate. Guyana therefore calls for the attacks against UNIFIL peacekeepers to cease and for Israel and Hezbollah to fulfill their obligations under resolution 1701.

Mr. President,
A fully functioning Palestinian Authority is a critical forerunner to a strong and independent Palestinian State. It is therefore important for the international community to support the Palestinian Authority as it governs the occupied Palestinian territories. Support includes, inter alia, ensuring that revenues due to the Palestinian Authority are not withheld by Israel. It also includes safeguarding the critical role of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In closing, Mr. President,

We are at a critical juncture in the Middle East peace process. It has been an extremely costly moment measured in lives – mainly Palestinian women and children’s lives. The scale of need, destruction and disease that has accompanied this dark moment compels us to act not only in the name of humanity, but also in the interest of the international rule of law. And our actions must be geared towards permanent and sustainable solutions based on the relevant UN resolutions.
Guyana therefore urges the Council to agree to an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as a critical first step to ending the suffering of Palestinians. We must also act to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza since 7 October, and to end the hostilities in Lebanon.

I reiterate Guyana’s firm commitment to all constructive efforts to this end.

I thank you.