India abstain on UN resolution for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict

India abstain on UN resolution for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict

Subject : IR

Section: International organisation

Context: India abstained in a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict

More about the news:

• India abstained from a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• The resolution did not mention ‘Hamas’ or ‘hostage’ and passed with 120 votes in favor and 14 against.
• The resolution called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
• It was drafted by a group of 22 Arab countries and had support from various nations, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa.
• Israel, the United States, and a few other countries voted against the resolution.
• India was part of a group of 45 countries that abstained on the resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.”
• Canada proposed an amendment to the resolution, naming Hamas and condemning their actions, but it failed to get the necessary support.
• India voted in favor of Canada’s amendment, along with 86 other nations.
• India’s abstention in the vote reflected its diplomatic balancing act in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

What is Emergency special sessions of UNGA:

• An emergency special session of the United Nations (UN) refers to an unplanned meeting of the UN General Assembly. Its purpose is to address pressing issues and provide urgent recommendations on a specific matter.
• The UN Charter grants the General Assembly the authority to convene an emergency special session. If the General Assembly is not in a regular session, it can assemble for an emergency special session within twenty-four hours of a request.
• The process for calling an emergency special session is outlined in the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. These rules govern the steps and requirements for organizing such sessions
• An emergency special session can be initiated in two ways:
  • By the Security Council: If the Security Council deems it necessary, they can request such a session through a vote of at least seven of its members.
  • By Majority of UN Members: Alternatively, a majority of the United Nations’ member states can also trigger the convening of an emergency special session.
• Since 1950, only 11 emergency special sessions of the General Assembly have been held.
• These resolutions passed in the special session are not legally-binding. These are symbolic of the world opinion on the crisis and carry political weight as they represent the will of the entire UN membership.

Some facts about United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):

• It was established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations and is headquartered in New York City.
• It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as the main policy-making organ of the Organization.
• It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.
• Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.