Delegates react to the voting results during the United Nations General Assembly vote on a draft resolution that would recognize the Palestinians as qualified to become a full UN member, in New York City, US May 10, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munozvoting in favour of a resolution in the UN General Assembly on Apr 18. So, some might dismiss the entire exercise as theatre, with nothing of consequence to show for it.
One of the UNGA’s most effective acts was the criminalisation of Apartheid, the racist policies of the white South African regime against its black and ethnic minority populations., it passed the Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid that elaborated how Apartheid violated international law. It entered into force in 1976, and the isolation of South Africa’s Apartheid regime finally led to its fall in 1994.
Commentary: Facing enormous pressure at home and abroad, how much longer can Israel continue its war in Gaza? But consider the alternative. For either side to obtain an outcome that doesn’t share the land equitably, it involves the domination of the other. Resistance by the repressed side will be inevitable. Tragically, since Oct 7, 2023, both sides have given us demonstrable evidence of how this cycle of violence will continue.“Singapore’s vote reflects our heartfelt desire to see both parties resume direct face-to-face negotiations in good faith.
Before Gaza, Russia was vetoing resolutions relating to the war in Ukraine. The sobering thought is that as new conflicts break out, the Security Council has become increasingly paralysed, even as its actions are needed more than ever. In recognising the problems at the UN, it is important to realise that it is not the Security Council that is unwilling to move, but specific individual states within. They need to be called out if the actions they take are antithetical to peace. The UNGA is the most legitimate option for countries to express abhorrence and propose how to go forward.