Iceland's Foreign Minister Addresses UNGA: Upholding International Law and Human Rights

Upholding the UN Charter and International Law

• 💡 The UN Charter's principle of cooperation over confrontation is presented as essential for safer and more prosperous nations.
• ⚠️ Iceland, as a small state, views respect for international law and rules as fundamental to its independence and prosperity.
• 🎯 The speaker highlights the dangerous trend of undermining self-determination and equal rights, with a paralysis in the Security Council and contempt for international law.

The War in Ukraine and Gaza

• 🚨 Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is condemned as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and an assault on its values.
• 💔 The abduction of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children is called a heinous crime and an attack on Ukraine's future.
• 🕯️ Iceland stands with Ukraine, defending the rules-based order where law prevails over brute force.
• ⚠️ The situation in Gaza is described as witnessing crimes against humanity and war crimes, with a call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access.
• 🚫 Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel is unequivocally condemned, but collective punishment of Palestinians through starvation, bombardment, and forced displacement is deemed cruel, inhumane, and illegal.

Two-State Solution and Global Trends

• ⚖️ Iceland recognizes both Israel and Palestine, advocating for equal rights to self-determination and a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.
• 🚩 Calls for annexation or expulsion of Palestinians by Israeli officials are labeled as hateful, illegal, and an obstacle to peace.
• 📉 The aggression in Ukraine, military operations in Gaza, and the war in Sudan demonstrate a growing disregard for international law and multilateral commitments.
• ⚖️ The targeting of the International Criminal Court is alarming, especially for small states dependent on a functioning system of international law.

Democracy, Human Rights, and Climate Change

• 🌐 Iceland is a global trailblazer in gender equality, with a history of women advocating for progress.
• 📢 The rise of populist movements, disinformation, and conspiracy theories is seen as a dangerous trend for democracy.
• 🗣️ Freedom of expression must be used responsibly, not as a weapon to harm or divide, and is distinct from the mass production of lies and propaganda.
• 🌡️ Climate change is a critical threat, with rising temperatures and melting permafrost impacting global security and the poorest nations most severely.
• 🤝 The United Nations, despite imperfections, has a beating heart, and leaders must act with love, respect, and wisdom for future generations.
• ✊ Iceland stands for equality, respect for international law, and peace, refusing to be silenced even when values are challenged.