STATEMENT

by H.E. Ambassador Bui The Giang,

Deputy Permanent Representative of Viet Nam,

at the Plenary of the United Nations  General Assembly 64^th Session

on Agenda Item 64 “Report of the Human Rights Council”

New York, 4 November 2009

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Mr. President,

On behalf of the Vietnamese Delegation, I would like to thank you for convening this plenary meeting to discuss the “Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission” (the Goldstone Report) contained in document A/HRC/S-12/1.

My Delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished Permanent Representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Mr. President,

Despite tireless international efforts towards regional peace, this year regrettably started with the Israeli forces’ military incursions into Gaza, leaving thousands of Palestinians killed or injured amid the wanton ruins of their homes, hospitals, schools, mosques and other vital infrastructure facilities. Even United Nations premises and personnel fell victim to Israel’s heavy and lethal weaponry. The continued imposition of Israeli blockade and collective punishment against Gaza has further deepened the Palestinian people’s trauma and plight to this day. And just tens of miles away, the civilian population in southern Israel have been living under constant threat of rocket and mortar attacks.

In this context, following the Report of the Secretary-General’s Board of Inquiry and the conclusions by the League of Arab States Independent Fact-Finding Committee on Gaza, we welcome the timely issuance of the Goldstone Report, the related investigations, and the ensuing decision by the Human Right Council to transmit a resolution and the Goldstone Report to the 64^th Session of the General Assembly. In this regard, we commend the great efforts by the Fact-Finding Mission, under difficult circumstances, particularly in the absence of Israel’s cooperation, to gather the testimony of witnesses and establish facts to ensure the balanced, comprehensive and objective nature of the report and its recommendations. We remain preoccupied by the Report’s findings regarding Israeli failure to take precautious measures required by international law to avoid or minimize loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian property, hence flagrant violation of the principle of proportionality and distinction. Similarly, we share the concerns contained in the Report that the rocket and mortar attacks were a cause of threat to southern Israeli communities. We support the Report’s calls for respect for and compliance with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, and its emphasis on the need to end impunity and establish justice and responsibility through accountability mechanisms. All these are not only necessary but also urgent to help avoid the recurrence of reprehensible violations and contribute to efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We recognize the pledges by both Palestine and Israel to investigate reported violations and we look forward to their subsequent proper prosecutions.

Mr. President,

The currently explosive nature of the regional situation makes it all the more imperative for the parties concerned to renounce the use of force and acts of violence, and take necessary steps to ensure the utmost safety and security for civilians, diplomatic and United Nations premises and personnel as well as humanitarian workers. Good-faith dialogues and peaceful negotiations remain the only viable framework to help the parties to put aside military options and overcome confrontation. We urge Israel to respond to the international community’s appeals by freezing its illegal activities related to settlements and the Separation Wall, opening all crossing points into Gaza and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction materials therein. We also urge the Palestinian factions to proceed with efforts for reconciliation and formation of a national unity Government in the interest of future statehood and the Middle East peace process as a whole.

Finally, Viet Nam reaffirms its steadfast support to the achievement of the two-State solution and stands ready to further contribute to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the Road Map, the Arab Peace Initiative, the Madrid terms of reference, and relevant Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009).

I thank you, Mr. President!