India Abstains From UN Resolution Seeking Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza, Punishment For War Crimes

India on Friday abstained from voting in favour of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demanding the seal of transfer and diversion of arms munitions and other military equipment to Israel. The resolution also called for accountability and punishment for war crimes (human rights violations) in Palestine, including East Jerusalem.

India was among the 13 countries that abstained from voting on the resolution along with France, Romania, and Netherlands. As many as 28 countries voted in favour of the resolution including China, Bangladesh, Maldives, UAE, Qatar,  Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa, among others.

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Reportedly, six countries have voted against the resolution including the United States, Germany, Argentina, Bulgaria, Malawi and Paraguay.

The draft resolution on the ‘Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice' was reportedly adopted by the Geneva-based Council with 28 votes in favour, 6 against, and 13 abstentions.

The UN resolution demanded that "Israel, the occupying Power, end its occupation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem," and emphasised that “all efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be grounded in respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law and relevant United Nations resolutions.”

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The resolution that condemned the targeting of civilians, demanded that all the remaining hostages and detainees must be released and humanitarian access to them must be ensured by international law. 

It further called for an “immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for immediate emergency humanitarian access and assistance, in particular through crossings and land routes, and for the urgent restoration of basic necessities to the Palestinian population in Gaza.”