Statement by Ecuador before the General Assembly 64th Session

Agenda Item 64: “Report of the Human Rights Council”

New York

4 November 2009

[ET: 01:35:00-0:00:00 - Ecuador]
ECUADORAN REPRESENTATIVE:  Thank you Mr. President.  My delegation endorses the statement by Egypt on behalf of the movement of non-aligned countries and in a national capacity, I would like to add the following.  Ecuador again ratifies its position regarding the conflict in the Middle East, which s full respect for the standards and principals of international law, and particularly as regards the peaceful settlement of disputes and condemns the use or threat of use of the same and compliance with international treaties and agreements and the full compliance with United Nations resolutions and its -- of its dependent bodies.
My delegation again condemns the acts of violence in the Middle East, which actions are clearly in clear violation of international law and which prevent the achievement of a global and comprehensive solution of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and by extension the Arab/Israeli conflict in the context of United Nations resolutions and in keeping with the standards and principals of international law.
We also condemn the military operations in the Gaza Strip which cause tremendous loss of human life, particularly women and children and also cause extensive material damage.  In addition to military action, there is the blockade on the Palestinian territories, increasing the suffering and destruction of a people that are struggling to achieve a sovereign and independent state.
It was such actions that led the president of the Human Rights Council to establish a United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict.
Sir, Ecuador takes into account the recommendations appearing in the Goldstone report which is very objective, the recommendations to the United Nations, to Israel, to the competent Palestinian authorities and the international community in regard to accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, reparations, grave violations with standards of human rights, blockade and reconstruction use funds and military procedures, protection of human rights organizations and human rights defenders and compliance with the mission's recommendations.
Ecuador also takes note with concern of the scant support forthcoming from Israel to the fact-finding mission as stated in the Goldstone report.  There can be no doubt there is evidence of grave violations of standards and principals of international law and of human rights and IHL.  So not only the United Nations is a victim of the attacks that caused the death of 18 of its staff members, but -- so it also has the obligation to open an investigation regarding the crimes of war and crimes against humanity that have been perpetrated in the area in order to avoid impunity of suspects, particularly taking into account, as stated in the Goldstone report, that Israel is ever-less prepared to undertake criminal investigations that meet international requirements.
Sir, lastly, Ecuador endorses the demand by the international community that this conflict be settled, respecting the rights of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples to live in peace and security as sovereign and independent states with safe and recognized borders.  We urge the parties to make the efforts that will contribute to restoring dialogue which will in turn through strict and effective compliance with its commitments to a just, lasting and global peace.  Thank you sir.