Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Sérgio França Danese, no debate geral da 24.ª reunião plenária do Comitê Especial sobre a Descolonização sobre o Item n.º 49 - Agência das Nações Unidas de Assistência aos Refugiados da Palestina no Próximo Oriente (UNRWA) - 13 de novembro de 2024 (texto em inglês)

Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the 24th plenary meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) General debate on the Item 49. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
November 14th, 2024

Madam/Mister Chair,

I thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini for his briefing, which strikes us with a convincing description of the dire situation faced by the agency and by the Palestinian refugees.

My delegation fully associates itself with the statement delivered by Slovenia on behalf of Shared Commitments' core group and with the statement previously delivered on behalf of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. We remain engaged in ensuring the Agency is allowed to fulfill its vital mandate, as established by the General Assembly, in its five fields of operation: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

As stated by the Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira during the most recent Security Council open debate on the Middle East, Brazil condemns the disinformation campaign and Israeli attacks against UNRWA and firmly condemns the Knesset's decision to pass laws targeting the agency.

They violate the UN Charter, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the UN, international humanitarian law and relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. They also disregard the request by the International Court of Justice for Israel to facilitate humanitarian access for Gazans.

The implementation of these laws would have severe implications for the provision of essential services for Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, thus aggravating their plight, especially in Gaza. The measure would have an immediate tragic humanitarian impact, which cannot be overstated, and potential security implications in the short-term. As importantly, a diminished or inoperative UNRWA would result in depriving Palestinian refugees of the education, health and other vital services they desperately need now and will continue to need in the future to stand and prosper as a dignified and free people.

This is unacceptable, since, contrary to claims by the Israeli government, there is no true alternative to UNRWA.

We, thus, echo the calls by the Secretary-General, who warned against the implementation of the laws in question.

As second vice-president of UNRWA's Advisory Commission, Brazil acknowledges the agency`s ongoing efforts and commitment to fully implementing the recommendations of the Colonna report, in order to continue ensuring its neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Madam/Mister Chair,

As Brazil actively joins international efforts to protect UNRWA from such assaults, we reiterate our full support for an independent and viable State of Palestine, living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

I thank you.