On 15 November, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2712 with 12 votes in favour and three abstentions. The text was drafted and tabled by Malta following extensive consultations led by Malta’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York together with Council members, interested parties, countries in the region, and humanitarian organisations.
The Resolution seeks to address the dire humanitarian situation of children in Gaza. It calls for the establishment of urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip, enables urgent rescue efforts for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings and the medical evacuation of sick or injured children, and calls for the safe and unconditional release of hostages that are being held by Hamas and other groups. It further underlines the special vulnerable status of children and reiterates that international humanitarian law provides general protection of children as persons taking no part in hostilities.
Yesterday’s vote was an important first step in the right direction. In the days and weeks ahead, Malta, as an elected member of the Security Council, will continue to actively engage on the situation in the Middle East with a goal of safeguarding all civilians’ lives. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to the protection of civilians and the plight of children in armed conflict throughout the rest of our term on the Council, and beyond.
Photo: MFET
