Statement of the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) - March 4th, 2024

Mr. President,

Mr. Commissioner-General,

Brazil welcomes the timely request by the Chair of the Arab Group of an urgent special meeting of the GA to discuss the situation of UNRWA in Gaza.

We have taken note of the worrying scenario presented by Commissioner-General Lazzarini in his letter to the PGA dated February 22 and follow with great concern the reduction of essential contributions to UNRWA’s operations.

Funding interruptions compromise not only the fulfillment of UNRWA’s mandate in all its five fields of operations – Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank – but also the implementation of the legally binding decision of January 26 by the ICJ, which, among other points, establishes the need to ensure humanitarian access to the citizens of Gaza.

The reduction in essential contributions to the functioning of UNRWA in the present scenario of grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza could lead to the collapse of the Agency’s activities. 

Brazil is closely following the progress of the ongoing investigations conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. They already led to the termination of contracts of UNRWA staff members and will shed light on the alleged involvement of UNRWA workers in the terrorist attacks of Hamas of October 7, 2024.

We must trust that these investigations will come to a successful conclusion. In the meantime, however, we must also continue to trust the commitment of UNRWA to the principle of neutrality. Such trust must entail continued funding for the agency, whose activities are vital for the assistance to the more than 1.7 million Palestinians who, in the past months, became victims of forced displacement.

As the international community, we must overcome inaction and defend, effectively, the end of atrocities and the implementation of international humanitarian law.

Humanity is failing the civilians of Gaza.

In the face of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and expressing its solidarity with the Palestinian people in the region, Brazil reiterates its call for the urgent cessation of hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the effective entry of adequate humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as the end of military operations targeting civilians in all Palestinian occupied territories by the government of Israel.

Brazil insists on the urgent need for a serious negotiating process that will lead to a viable Palestinian State living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Thank you.