Mr. President,
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the European Union and would like to add some further remarks in its national capacity.
Together with the vast majority of Member States, Italy deeply regrets the use of the veto on the recent humanitarian Resolution on Sudan.
It is very unfortunate that a single Member State decided to prevent the Security Council from addressing the worst displacement crisis in the world.
While condemning the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces, the Resolution recognized the need for both parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and to engage in dialogue in good faith, with the aim of urgently agreeing on a national ceasefire.
The Resolution was also tabled in response to the recommendations issued by the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians and, if adopted, would have allowed the Security Council to propose concrete measures to facilitate the implementation of the Jeddah Declaration commitments, agreed upon by the parties.
These very important determinations of the Security Council were blocked on a purely political basis, while minimizing the entity of the humanitarian crisis.
This is entirely unjustified, firstly because the text of the Resolution, in its very opening, referred to the Council’s strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Sudan;
Secondly, because the principle of sovereignty cannot be used at will to shield the parties in Sudan from their responsibility to protect civilians, as enshrined in international humanitarian law. What makes this argument even more implausible is that the veto was cast by a Member State that shows complete disregard of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its own neighbor.
And thirdly, because the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached tragic proportions and needs to be urgently addressed now.
Moreover, the international community would have welcomed a strong message of support from the Security Council to the international and regional organizations and Member States that are engaged in mediation initiatives and political dialogue.
In this regard, I would like to reiterate Italy’s appreciation for the diplomatic efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, also in view of the next round of proximity-talks.
Mr. President,
The use of the veto itself is highly divisive, even more so if it applies to a Security Council tool that is meant to strengthen the protection of civilians.
We will not tire of reiterating our strong opposition to the veto. The veto power contradicts the principle of sovereign equality of States, which is central to the UN Charter.
Let me state, once again, that the principle of sovereign equality among Member States needs to be at the basis of any future reform of the UN Security Council, if we truly aim to reinforce multilateralism and increase the transparency and accountability of the UN architecture.
I thank you.
