Regarding Israel’s war on Gaza, the president of Brazil claims that the right to defend oneself has evolved into the right to retaliate, obstructing a deal to free prisoners and delaying a truce.
According to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, it is intolerable for Latin America and Africa to be left out of the Security Council, and as such, the UN Charter requires extensive change.
“The exclusion of Latin America and Africa from permanent seats on the UN Security Council is an unacceptable reflection of the colonial past,” he stated.
Lula also cautioned that Israel’s attack on Gaza is spreading “dangerously” to Lebanon during his remarks at the UN General Assembly’s opening on Tuesday.
Lula made reference to Israel’s attack on Gaza, saying, “The right of defence has turned into the right of revenge, which prevents an agreement to release hostages and postpones a ceasefire.”
The president of Brazil also stated that China and Brazil have put out a six-point plan for Russia and Ukraine to start negotiations on ending their conflict.
UN changes
Lula did not provide any details in a speech at the UN General Assembly’s opening, despite having discussed the idea over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
One potential area of collaboration he said was the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, a task group headed by Brazil that is scheduled to begin operations in November.
The head of Brazil restated his nation’s demand for United Nations reform, claiming that the organization was failing to fulfill its mandate of preventing wars and serving as a worldwide representative.
The UN “is about to turn 80,” yet “the UN Charter has never undergone comprehensive reform,” according to Lula.
“There were 51 nations when the UN was established. There are 193 countries presently. When the UN was established, a number of nations, mostly in Africa, were under colonial administration and had no influence over its objectives or internal operations,” he stated.
He criticized the tens of billions of dollars allocated annually on military arsenals, arguing that the money would be better utilized to combat climate change and end poverty.
Lula, the three-time Brazilian president, declared, “My government’s most urgent commitment is to end hunger again.”
