JOINT STATEMENT
GENERAL DEBATE ON ITEM 7:
THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION
IN PALESTINE AND OTHER OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES
61ST REGULAR SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
TUESDAY, 24 MARCH 2026
Mr. President,
We have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 33 countries.
- Reports from humanitarian actors describe a Palestinian population pushed to the brink, with civilians, many of whom are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival, face severe shortages of food, clean water, medical supplies and shelter, while essential services have collapsed. Since October 2023, more than 72,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and over 171,000 injured, reflecting the devastating humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict.
- Humanitarian assistance remains far below what is required. Aid deliveries continue to face serious access constraints, insecurity and damaged infrastructure, preventing assistance from reaching communities at the scale needed. Humanitarian access is a legal obligation. It must be immediate, sustained and unimpeded.
- In this regard, UNRWA remains indispensable, serving as a lifeline for millions of Palestinians. The Agency must be fully enabled and supported to carry out its live-saving mandate.
- We are equally concerned by the dangers faced by humanitarian personnel. At least 588 humanitarian workers have been killed, including many UN staff.
- This situation demands accountability. Violations of international humanitarian law must not be ignored or normalised. Civilians and civilian infrastructures must be protected, and those responsible must be held accountable.
- The priorities are clear: unhindered humanitarian access, unimpeded delivery of aids, protection for humanitarian workers, and accountability under international humanitarian law.
I thank you.
GENEVA
24 MARCH 2026
Malaysia on behalf of Cross Regional Group of Countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen)