New Delhi, India - BRICS has called for adherence to international law to be applied in Palestine, in particular international humanitarian law and international human rights law, while also condemning all violations, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
The grouping also spoke out against attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and other civilian infrastructure, as well as the unlawful obstruction of humanitarian access.
In the New Delhi Declaration adopted on Saturday, BRICS also condemned attempts to politicise or militarise humanitarian assistance.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday and Sunday under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting a people-centred and humanity-first approach.
BRICS reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return.
“We express our firm opposition to the forced displacement, temporary or permanent, under any pretext, of any of the Palestinian population from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as any geographic or demographic changes to the territory of the Gaza Strip.
“We reiterate that international law and international judicial bodies demand the end of the illegal occupation and the immediate cessation of all practices that undermine legal norms and obstruct a just and lasting peace,” BRICS said.
The grouping reiterated grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“We reject any unilateral measures that seek to alter the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem. We urge full respect for the sanctity of all religious sites and holy places in the city and for the rights of all to access and to observe their religious rites without hindrance.”
BRICS has expanded from its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia as full members.
This as President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the BRICS Leaders’ Summit.
The 2025 partner-country framework includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
According to India’s BRICS presidency, the 11 member countries account for about 49.5% of the world’s population, 40% of global gross domestic product and 26% of global trade.
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The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional matters, including political, economic, financial and people-to-people cooperation. - SAnews.gov.za
