GENEVA / UNHRC VOTE GAZA FLOTILLA

The Human Rights Council votes on a resolution endorsing the findings of the International Independent Fact Finding Report into Israel's interception at sea of Gaza-bound vessels, including the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara. UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:23
• Production Date: 29 September 2010
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; PEACE AND SECURITY; DISARMAMENT
• Geographic Subject: MIDDLE EAST
• MAMS Id: U100929g

Description

STORY: GENEVA / UNHRC VOTE GAZA FLOTILLA
TRT: 2.23
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2010, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, Geneva office exterior
2. Wide shot, conference room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sihasak Phuangketkeow, President, Human Rights Council: “The results of the recorded votes are as follows - 30 in favor, 1 against and 15 abstentions. Therefore the draft resolution l33 as orally revised is adopted.”
4. Cutaway, voting results displayed on board
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Oguz Demiralp, Ambassador of Turkey:
“The Council, its members, observers, we are all accountable to and responsible to the victims, in this room we represented the collective conscience of the world. We have to speak up by adopting this resolution. We have to stand up together in consensus against those who seek impunity despite all the unlawful acts they have committed in defiance of the human council.”
6. Cutaway, Israeli Ambassador
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, United States: “This incident underscores the need to move ahead quickly with negotiations that can lead to a comprehensive Arab/Israeli peace. Direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been resumed and all parties should help create an environment conducive to progress in these talks. We should all be helping to advance the cause of peace. The US was opposed to the resolution 14.1 and we oppose the current resolutions recommendation that the General Assembly consider the fact finding mission report. For these reasons we call for a vote and vote against this resolution.”
8. Wide shot, conference room

Storyline

Members of the UN Human Rights Council voted this afternoon on a resolution endorsing the findings of the International Independent Fact Finding Report into Israel’s interception at sea of Gaza-bound vessels, including the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara, on May 31, 2010.

On that day, deadly clashes between Israeli commandos and pro-Palestinian activists left nine activists dead.

Turkish Ambassador Oguz Demiralp said that the resolution represents “consensus against those who seek impunity despite all the unlawful acts they have committed in defiance of the human council.”
The resolution, which was tabled by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, was approved with 30 votes in favor, one against and 15 abstentions. The United States (US) was the only country to vote against the resolution.

US Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said that the flotilla incident “underscores the need to move ahead quickly with negotiations that can lead to a comprehensive Arab/Israeli peace.”

She added that “the US was opposed to the resolution and we oppose the current resolutions recommendation that the General Assembly consider the fact finding mission report. For these reasons we call for a vote and vote against this resolution.”

Israel maintains that its soldiers acted in self-defence after coming under attack from activists wielding clubs, axes and metal rods.