Pakistan has called for the protection of civilians in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian assistance and strict adherence to international law, while reaffirming the right of the Palestinian and Kashmiri peoples to self-determination.
Speaking at the United Nations, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon said the credibility of the international human rights system depended on closing the gap between principles and their implementation.
Principles Must Apply Universally, Envoy Says
Jadoon stressed that international law and human rights principles must be applied universally, saying it was unacceptable for such principles to be upheld in one situation while being disregarded in another.
He described the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as a decisive test of the international community’s commitment to human rights. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s “inalienable right to self-determination” and said the same principle applied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Kashmiri people had been waiting for nearly eight decades for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Concern Over Islamophobia, Racism and Xenophobia
The Pakistani diplomat also urged the international community to address growing trends of Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia, stressing that human dignity should not be determined by a person’s religion, nationality or identity.
Jadoon said the international community must bridge the gap between its human rights commitments and realities on the ground.
He maintained that dignity should not be determined by power, justice should not be dictated by politics, and development should not be treated as a privilege.
Call for Consistent, Non-Discriminatory Application
He called for the universal, consistent and non-discriminatory application of human rights principles, stressing that international commitments must be matched by action on the ground.
- Pakistan urged protection of civilians in Gaza and unimpeded humanitarian access.
- The envoy reaffirmed support for Palestinian and Kashmiri self-determination.
- He warned against rising Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia.
- He called for universal, non-discriminatory application of human rights principles.
