Holness: Ja wants ‘people’s human rights’ respected
PM speaks after Jamaica fails to vote on UN’s Israel-Hamas conflict resolution
Published:Tuesday | October 31, 2023 | 12:08 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
PRIME MINISTER Andrew Holness says Jamaica wants to see the human rights of all people respected, this after his administration missed out on a crucial vote on the war in the Middle East.
Holness’ stance on people’s human rights follows Jamaica’s failure to cast a vote on a Jordan-introduced peacekeeping resolution at a recently held United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting.
“My heart goes out to the people of the Middle East who are in conflict now,” Holness said while addressing a conference of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in St James Southern on Sunday night.
“Some of you may be watching your television, and you are seeing the senseless killing of innocent civilians,” the prime minister said, adding that those entrusted with power must do everything to ensure that human rights are protected.
“Jamaica, as a peaceful developing country, wants to see peace. And we want to see the human rights of all people respected,” he said.
Holness continued: “And those who have power have a greater responsibility to ensure that people’s human rights are protected.”
The resolution on which Jamaica did not vote was proposed by Jordan, and urging the upholding of legal and humanitarian obligations in the Palestinian city of Gaza during the current unrest and the protection of civilians.
The resolution was adopted with 120 countries voting in favour, 14 against, and 45 abstaining.
A list of the results showed several Caribbean nations, excluding Jamaica, voting in favour of the resolution.
That has ignited criticism from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and members of Jamaican society.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, responding to the public pressure, said consultations did not conclude in time for Jamaica to participate in the vote.
“I appreciate the concern raised by those who feel that Jamaica having not voted in the 10th special UN Emergency Special meeting session last Friday suggests a shift in our stance on international human rights,” Johnson Smith said in a release yesterday.
“I assure you that this is not the case,” the foreign affairs minister noted.
She said the situation in the Middle East demands a unified, global voice against human rights violations which respect states’ rights to self-defence within the parameters of international laws.
“While a technical cross in communication led to Jamaica’s representative not voting, our statement on the United Nations General Assembly floor on behalf of all CARICOM member states unequivocally supports a peaceful resolution of the conflict, humanitarian aid for the victims of war and the release of hostages,” Johnson Smith argued.
Further, she noted that Jamaica welcomes the action taken by the UNGA and hopes that it contributes to progress.
Additionally, Johnson said Jamaica’s foreign policy rests on robust principles and democratic values which guides our stance in an increasingly dynamic and complex global landscape.
The PNP has described Jamaica’s absence from Friday’s UNGA vote on a resolution as a “new low” in the island’s foreign policy history.
It has also brushed aside Johnson Smith’s explanation, claiming that deliberations were still taking place when the vote was finalised.
“This vote marked the UN General Assembly’s first significant response to the humanitarian tragedy resulting from Israel’s collective punishment of the civilian Palestinian population in Gaza,” the PNP said in a statement on the weekend.
“Jamaica’s non-participation in support of such a significant resolution is inexcusable,” it added.
The Opposition said the “unfortunate episode” gives the impression that the Government is not interested in standing in solidarity with the suffering Palestinian civilians.