India abstains from UNHRC Gaza ceasefire resolution

Category
International Relations
Published
11th Apr, 2024

Context

India abstained in the UN Human Rights Council on a resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and also demanded that Israel immediately lift its illegal blockade on the strip.

The Resolution

The resolution demanded that Israel, the occupying Power, end its occupation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
It stressed 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.
The resolution also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for immediate emergency humanitarian access and assistance and for the urgent restoration of basic necessities to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Fact Box: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
Formation:
- The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.
- OHCHR is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Members: It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
- The Council's Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. Seats are distributed as follows:
  - African States: 13 seats
  - Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
  - Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
  - Western European and other States: 7 seats
  - Eastern European States: 6 seats
  - Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.