NEW YORK, Sept 21 – The 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 19 adopted a resolution by a vote of 145 in favor, 5 against and 6 abstentions, allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address its annual gathering of world leaders next week by video link after the US refused to grant him a visa to travel to New York in person.
The US and Israel were among those voting against the resolution.
Chinese envoy to the UN Geng Shuang stressed that the outcome of this vote once again exposed the US’ arrogance and isolation on the Palestinian question.
He said that the US has long pursued an unbalanced stance on the Palestinian issue, consistently blocking efforts by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, while shielding and condoning the occupying power’s blatant violations of international law.
“As a UN observer state, Palestine enjoys the right to full and effective participation in major conferences and international meetings convened by the General Assembly, as explicitly stipulated in last year’s Emergency Special Session resolution,” Geng said in an explanatory statement after the vote.
“Under the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, issuing visas to enable Palestinian representatives to attend UN meetings is an international obligation of the host country, which cannot be shirked or denied under any pretext.”
Yet, on the eve of the current General Assembly session, the US, as the host country, announced the refusal and revocation of visas for Palestinian officials. Such an act is unacceptable, and we express our deep concern over it, Geng said.
As the high-level week of the 80th UN General Assembly approaches, high-level delegations from around the world will gather in New York. Geng urges the host country to strictly abide by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the UN, and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, as well as other relevant international laws.
The US should “treat all sovereign states equally, abandon discriminatory practices, and fulfill its obligations on visa issuance and entry matters to ensure the smooth conduct of all activities during the high-level week of the 80th General Assembly,” the envoy said.
China voiced deep disappointment after the US on Thursday again singlehandedly blocked a draft UN Security Council resolution at the council’s 10,000th meeting that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel lift all restrictions on aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave.
The resolution, drafted by the elected 10 members of the 15-member council, would also have demanded the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, according to Reuters.
Global Times
