THE government should play a pivotal role in leading the invocation of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 377 (A) among UN member states to halt the ongoing and distressing genocide in Gaza by demanding an urgent and resolute response from the international community.
Resolution 377 (A), commonly referred to as the "Uniting for Peace" resolution, holds significant weight in situations where the UN Security Council, due to a lack of consensus among its five permanent members, falters in its fundamental responsibility to uphold global peace and security.
This critical resolution empowers the General Assembly to swiftly address such crises and propose necessary recommendations for collective action, including potential armed intervention, to reinstate and safeguard international peace and security.
Amid the deadlock within the Security Council caused by the recent use of veto power by the United States, the pressing need to invoke resolution 377 (A) to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated.
Last week, the United States vetoed a UN resolution while dozens of other nations demanded for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
The gravity of the situation requires prompt and decisive measures by all parties to halt the ongoing genocide and protect innocent lives in Gaza.
Enacted in 1950, this resolution was purposefully crafted to offer an alternative pathway for the UN to intervene when the Security Council's functions are obstructed by the veto authority of even a single permanent member.
The distressing circumstances in Gaza demand immediate intervention and the invocation of resolution 377 (A) can pave the way for unified action to alleviate suffering and restore stability to the region.
The Centre For Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA) earnestly implores the government to assume a leadership role in this pivotal endeavour and rally UN member states to invoke resolution 377 (A) in response to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The international community must act decisively and immediately to uphold the core principles of human rights and prevent further loss of life in Gaza.
AZRIL MOHD AMIN
Founder and Chairman, CENTHRA