On June 25, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, gave an intervention during the Security Council Debate on the “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Comprehensive Review of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.”
In his statement, Archbishop Auza urged the Security Council to use all its authority and powers to find enduring political solutions to the conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. Decisive action from the Security Council and international community is needed to prevent a worsening of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he said. The Holy See continues to support a two-State solution with secure and recognized borders, he said, and calls upon all Nations to respect the historical status quo of Jerusalem in accordance with UN resolutions. With regard to the humanitarian crises in North Africa and the Middle East, he said that the rule of law, including respect for religious freedom and equality before the law based on the principle of citizenship regardless of race, ethnicity or religion, is fundamental to any political solution of the conflicts. Protection of human rights, particularly of minorities, contributes to eradicate the root causes and drivers of the instability that leads to conflicts, he added, and quick and effective redress of violations of international humanitarian law can prevent conflicts before they threaten regional and international peace and security. He urged the Council to show unity, determination and leadership to put an end to conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere.
His statement can be found here.