Africa-Press – Eritrea. Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegations,
Thank you for convening this plenary meeting of the General Assembly on a subject of serious concern with detrimental ramifications to many member states and millions of people across the Global South.
My intervention is aligned with the statements to be delivered by the distinguished Delegations of Uganda, Iraq, Gabon, and Venezuela on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the G77 and China, the African Group and the Group of Friends in Defence of the United Nations Charter respectively.
Mr. President,
The promulgation and application of all forms of unilaterally imposed sanctions are illegal, inhumane and unconscionable as they are devoid of any legal or moral justifications. Unilateral coercive measures are antithetical to the principles of the UN Charter and inflict indiscriminate harm on civilian populations, cripple development and perpetuate inequality. Their continued application demands our collective rejection and resolve.
Neither the norms of international relations nor the rules of international trading system justify the application of such egregious policies dictated at the whim of the proponents of global hegemony. These powers have been unapologetic with their intensions and deeds as this is expressly stated in their foreign policy toolbox to compel those who do not conform with their self-professed ideals and standards. We have often heard that for these actors – mainly the Western countries – unilateral coercive measures are ‘crucial part of the international security toolkit and are applied with humanitarian exceptions.’
Mr. President,
Contrary to the proponents’ flawed pretexts, the socioeconomic conditions of the targeted countries are seriously impacted by the application of unilateral coercive sanctions. As corroborated by the findings and assessments of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, the import of critical goods and services, including medicine and medical equipment, vaccines, food items and other technological equipment…have been hampered by these ill-conceived policy practices. These non-exhaustive lists of findings have cross-sectoral repercussions with detrimental implications to the right of development of nations and wellbeing of societies. Neither the so-called ‘humanitarian exemptions’ nor the bogus excuse of ‘defending of key UN principles and values’ could rationalize the arbitrary application of UCMs. Indeed, no good intensions could justify unilateral coercive measures as they all violate the human dignity of societies and individuals and thereby erode the founding principles of the UN Charter.
Against the globally agreed development goals underpinned by the maxim of “leaving no one behind”, unilateral coercive measures attest to the contrary as they are impoverishing those in the Global South and widening the development gap. Sovereign equality of all nations and their right to development as enshrined in the UN Charter must be fully respected. Any unilateral resort outside of the cardinal principles of the UN Charter must be rejected and repealed in totality.
Mr. President,
As several member states, Eritrea has been a victim of bundles of illegal and unjust sanctions and it continues to endure unilateral coercive measures targeting its most critical sectors, including the economic and national security. The ulterior political motives, as insinuated above, are too evident to merit explanation. Suffice to mention though these illegal measures are part of the misguided policy pursuit aimed to advance perceived geopolitical objectives which are proved to be not only erroneous, but are contributing to regional destabilization.
Mr. President,
In the face of the continued promulgation and implementation of unilateral coercive measures and their inhumane consequences, member states and relevant international organizations should work in solidary and unity to address and eradicate the negative impacts, including by seeking a legal redress through the relevant UN organs. While the UN General Assembly, as the most representative body, continues its earnest deliberations on the matter, it should further advise on practical measures, including recommendations for advisory opinion through the International Court of Justice on the illegality, adverse effects and revocation of UCMs in accordance with the principles of UN Charter and international law.
In closing, Eritrea expresses its strong solidarity with all those unjustly affected nations and peoples and calls for the categorical lifting of the unlawful unilateral sanctions imposed including on Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Cuba, including the 60-years-long economic embargo and its unjust placement on the dubious list of ‘state sponsors of terrorism.’
I Thank You!
For More News And Analysis About Eritrea Follow Africa-Press
