Guyana has called upon the government of Israel to live up to its obligations under international law to the people of the occupied Palestinian territory, to cease the construction of settlements and to the complete lifting of the blockade of Gaza.
Guyana also called for an end to violence as this undermines reaching any settlement. These demands were made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett who represented Guyana at the 12th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation in Cairo, Egypt from February 6 -7, 2013.
In her speech, Rodrigues-Birkett reminded the gathering that Guyana was the first Caribbean Community (Caricom) country to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state based on its 1967 borders, and will continue to work with the international community in all efforts that will galvanize a peaceful end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She congratulated President Mahmoud Abbas and the government of Palestine on the achievement of an enhanced status at the United Nations as a non-Member Observer State. She said that the government of Guyana will continue to reiterate its unwavering support to the Palestinian people in their just struggle for their inalienable rights including the right of a homeland of their own.
The Summit was held under the theme “The Muslim World: New Challenges and Expanding Opportunities.”
Rodrigues-Birkett said that the government of Guyana embraces the fundamentals of people-centred development and continues to express grave concern at the situation in Syria. She said that it has become quite clear that the Syrian people are unable to resolve their problems alone. To this end, Guyana reiterated its support for the efforts of the United Nations Security Council to promote peace.
The minister said that from Guyana’s standpoint, the current reality of the world indicates that those who advocate the scourge of terrorism are willing to use any and all means to achieve their warped goals. However, no terrorist act can ever be justifiable. It is therefore incumbent on governments to ensure that every precaution is taken to prevent such attacks both within and outside the borders. In so doing, countries must be mindful that in fighting terrorism the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect for basic human rights are not overlooked.
She said that Guyana has embraced the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism strategy adopted in 2006 which is aimed at enhancing efforts at all levels to counter terrorism.
Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that the disparity between rich and poor and developed and developing countries continues to be a source of major concern given the high level of poverty that still exists. In this context the government of Guyana once again brought the issue of a new Global Human Order to the attention of member states with the adoption by consensus of the United Nations resolution 67/230 entitled “The role of the United Nations in promoting a New Global Human Order”. This resolution aimed to mobilise concerted long-term global actions, within a holistic framework, to address development challenges and improve the well-being of people. She invited the continued support of the OIC member states to this initiative.
