India abstains from voting on UNHRC resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza, arms embargo on Israel

India on Friday abstained from voting on a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and calling on the council’s member-states to implement an arms embargo on Israel, reported The Hindu.

The resolution – “Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice” – was adopted by the 47-member Human Rights Council with 28 votes in favour, six against and 13 abstentions.

Other than India, the countries that abstained from the vote were France, Japan, the Netherlands, and Romania. Argentina, Bulgaria, Germany and the United States voted against the resolution.

India did, however, vote in favour of three other resolutions that: 1) Criticised Israel for human rights violations against Palestinians 2) Supported the Palestinian right to self-determination and 3) Criticised Israel’s occupation of Syrian Golan, a region in southwest Syria that has been under Israel’s control since 1967.

India has previously abstained from all resolutions demanding “accountability” from Israel, reported The Hindu.

The vote on Friday came after the killing of seven international aid workers in Gaza by Israeli strikes, in addition to a military strike by Israel on the Iranian embassy in Syria.

All four resolutions were presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, demanded...

Read more