What does historical UNO vote on Palestine means?

On 30th November 2012, in a historic session of the United Nations held at New York, the General Assembly exactly after 65 years of passing the Partition Plan for Palestine recognized Palestine within the 1967 borders as a non-member state. This was made possible when 138 member states of the United Nations voted in favor of the resolution, whereas 41 abstained and 9 voted against it.
The vote is historic on account of elevating Palestine’s status from “non-member observer entity” to “non-member observer state” and holds significance as for the first time the member states voted against the wishes of Israel and US. Moreover, it came on the heels of an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas fighters, where a series of airstrikes and rocket launches threatened regional stability drawing international attention.

But knowing what exactly does the “non-member observer state” means, what was Palestine’s position at UN before this vote, what did it asked for comparative to what it has accomplished will actually help people better understand the significance of this historic vote along with exploring what does the future holds for Palestine and whether or not there is any possibility of change in US and Israeli stance?

By becoming a Non-member observer state at UN General Assembly means Palestine is now free to submit a petition to join as a full member at their discretion. To Palestinians, this vote constitutes an important endorsement of the legitimacy of their claim to statehood, in addition to potentially strengthening their leverage in talks with Israel.

In terms of applicable advantages, it will contribute to Palestinian admission to the International Criminal Court where Palestine will be able to ask the body to investigate acts committed by Israel as potential war crimes. As previously in April this year, the ICC blocked a request to investigate the 2008-2009 Gaza war on its discretion giving the reason that it’s up to other bodies to determine whether the Palestinians is a state. Now as it beholds status of non-member observer state, ICC can look up to Palestinians investigation reports.

Next in line, how Palestine got to this stage is a question of importance? It all started in 2011, when the Palestinian Liberation Organization (holding “permanent observer” status at the U.N. since 1974) launched its initial bid for U.N. membership in response to the failing of the Sep, 2011 deadline set by U.S. President Barack Obama for the successful negotiation for a two-state solution with Israel. But the plan was suspended a month later when it became apparent that the bid is not accepted by 9 of 15 Security Council permanent members.

Conversely, the bid for non-member observer state was launched as unlike a bid for full membership, to get recognized as a UN non-member state only requires winning a majority vote among the 193 members of the General Assembly without the threat of a Security Council veto.

And this time Palestinian strategy worked well for them. Commenting on the Palestinian victory, many analysts believe that Palestine would be seen as being a state in terms of international law and international relations. Whereas some say, the observer state won’t make the difference that is imagined by the advocates of this move. Instead, U.S. Congress might further restrict aid to the Palestinians at a time when the Palestinian Authority is in dire need of that.

The disapproval of Palestinian win became clear when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the resolution “unfortunate and counterproductive”. Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister’s office also reacted to the decision stating that, “This is a meaningless decision that will not change anything on the ground. By going to the UN, the Palestinians have violated the agreements with Israel and Israel will act accordingly.”

However apart from this critical reaction Palestinians argue that admission even as a non-member observer state at the UN will strengthen their position in peace talks with Israel on core issues that divide them like the status of Jerusalem, the fate of the settlements, the precise location of borders, the right of return of Palestinian refugees, water rights and security arrangements. The Palestinians present the step as necessary to protect their right to self-determination and a two-state solution.

Though there is a long way ahead for Palestine to achieve what it actually asked for i.e. full membership at UN. But nevertheless, UN acceptance of Palestine even as a non-member observer state would have greater impact as the UN is the overarching world body and a source of authority on international law.

Coming over to what the future hold for Palestine is a question that depends on how well do the Palestinians cooperate with each other and stand firm together to claim and get their recognition as a state.

Though the cheers are roaring in Palestine today, but initially this bid to be a non-member state failed to excite public opinion in the same way as the bid to get UN membership did in 2011. Moreover, the build-up to it has been more low-key partly on the reason that it was only backed by Mr Abbas’s Fatah movement, was agreed with representatives of other groups in the PLO, and was initially criticized by senior figures in Hamas. Not did until recently, after eight-day Israeli military offensive on Gaza, this bid succeeded to get all Palestinian parties and factions onboard.

As far as the chance of change in US and Israel’s stance on the issue is concerned, it is idealistic to say that a 65 year old thinking can convert soon but seeing the global perspective and the way the countries around the world have turned considerate towards Palestine and the way they call on special regional meetings on this issue; do hold the possibility that Israel may come to table of negotiation for resolution of this problem that is deteriorating its image globally.

Whereas for US, siding with Israel is effecting its worldwide representation; being a world global superpower, giving green light to Israel’s attack on Gaza, refusing Palestine’s support calls for immediate ceasefire and now opposing a decision of 193 states on an issue is something that it should take seriously. Everyone studying the situation has an understanding that via this support U.S. is trying to gain leverage with Israel to stop it from dragging into a war with Iran but on Iranian matter also, states have given their thoughts by maintaining diplomatic ties and giving a go ahead to hold a NAM Summit in Iran. Thus, US need to revise its policies and bring them in consensus with stance of majority of the states instead of keeping itself aside from streamline.

Published in:

Frontier Post: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/195697/

News Pakistan: http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/12/03/historical-vote-palestine-means/

Shafaqna: http://shafaqna.com/pakistan/other-services/featured/item/6944-what-does-historical-uno-vote-on-palestine-means.html

Dunya News Blog: http://blogs.dunyanews.tv/?p=6130

AllVoices: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13552987-what-does-historical-uno-vote-on-palestine-means

Innocence of Muslims Misconstrued

Though watching the movie trailer ‘Innocence of Muslims’ for only 5 minutes was so disturbing that I simply think it’s sheer mistake watching production of a sick mind. From just a few glimpses of the clips from the movie, I got the reason why the agitation on the movie is so harsh.
What America, Israel plus the other Non-Muslim World need to know is that Muhammad (PBUH) is not an ordinary man, He is above every relation and belief on his Prophet Hood is the basic essence of Muslims faith. This is far more critical than calling Muslims as terrorist, occupying their states, attacking their personal beings or imposing multiple sufferings on them.
By now and then, incidents of disgracing dignity of the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and targeting the components of Islam i.e. Burning of Quran happen, which are hard to digest as among all global problems what wrong has the religion of Islam done? If you don’t want to research on what Islam is? who the Prophet (PBUH) was? can’t give respect to them then at least you have no right to misrepresent them too.
Saying Sorry every next day is not enough; why has America or any other state given their citizens the right of misapplying the right of freedom? Does sabotaging the feelings of millions across the world encompasses right of speech for them?
What actually is the need of time is to introduce a law that bars individuals from repeating such things in future. If hundreds of documents can be produced in the name of ensuring peace every year, if heads of states of 180 countries can be gathered almost every month to discuss serious issues that perturb peace, why a conference on this matter cannot be called that hinders the peace of Muslims across the globe time and again?
U.S has to take serious actions against Sam Bacile, Terry Jones and similar individuals who burnt copies of the Holy Quran in Afghanistan and leave no chance unturned to blame Islam. If the religious affiliations are not taken care of by the powerful states of the world, then at least they should give second thought to matter that this kind of wrong act by one or few leads to mass protests and killings.
On Muslim end, the thing which is going wrong is the way the protests are being done. Being violent is not the solution of problem and more basically that isn’t allowed in Islam. Alas! Our understanding of religion also falls short. Getting emotional, violent or abusive is not what we are being taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While defending His personality (Prophet PBUH), neither we are allowed nor should we forget His (Prophet PBUH) Guidance provided to us on the matter which is obligatory for us to follow.
Even if Jihad is waged, 7 days ultimatum is said to be provided so that the place of target is evacuated and no women, children or old persons are left behind. Even after Jihad is waged, one is not allowed to destroy property even have to take care of trees, birds and animals living in surrounding. But are these things taken care of during present protests?
Apart from this, what I am not still clear of is the sin done by U.S Ambassador to Libya, who was brutally murdered and made a symbol of lesson for other Non-Muslims? What was his part in the movie? Did he say any word of support in favour of the movie? Then why what should have been done with the accused was done with the innocent?
At first instance, Muslim religious leaders should have responded and should have cleared the course of action to the Ummah. Then the so-called Islamic organizations should have convened an urgent meeting on the issue and should have urged U.S. to stop such incidents in future. They should have charted out present and future strategy addressing that what will be done if such incidents are not halted. They should have exerted pressure on U.S. by cutting off every kind of diplomatic and economic ties so that the matter would not have gone this much worse. Regrettably, they did nothing, that’s why the people started doing what they thought was right to deploy pressure.
We Muslims also need to rethink and formulate right course strategy to deal with such matters in accordance with the teachings of Islam. To sum it up, I strongly Protest Against the Film defaming Prophet Mohammed (SAWW). Let us all join in sending Salutations on the Holy Prophet. However, we should not support any kind of violence because our Beloved prophet taught us to be patient, calm and Peaceful even in times of adversity.

http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=174501

http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/09/17/innocence-muslims-misconstrued/

Curse of Child Labour

As the world in21st century celebrated Labour Day yesterday, the question that clings into my mind is whether the development, progress and modernity we have achieved, is of any benefit when the majority minds are still ignorant?
With bundles of tools of awareness present at easy hand, we find ignorant people in every part of this earth. The ignorant remain ignorant because the one who possess awareness remain ignorant of utilizing their capabilities and skills to motivate the people towards the bright side of life and help diminish evil out of society. We, mutually, are responsible for disorders that exist around us.
Speaking with relevance to Labour Day here, the society ill that needs sheer attention is the aggravating curse of child labour. Any work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, their dignity, and is harmful to their physical and mental development comes into the fold of child labour. Though centuries have rolled by, yet child labour is prevailing in every nook and corner of the globe and we find no significant change in the plight of those children, who hail from poor sections of the society.  Hundreds of children have been born and bred on footpaths. They have hardly any food or clothes; medicine is out of reach for them, shelter from sun and rain is just the shade of a tree, they remain illiterate with no direction in life and automatically get sucked into curse of forced labour.
Overpopulation, illiteracy, poverty, urbanization, orphans, exploitation of work and inadequate laws are some of the basic factors that furthers this menace of enforced child labour. According to UNICEF reports, there are an estimated 250 million children aged 5 to 14 in child labour worldwide which accounts for 22% of the work forcein Asia, 32% in Africa, 17% in Latin America, 1% in US, Canada, Europe and other wealthy nations.
As far as the situation in Pakistan is concerned, according to survey results released by Federal Bureau of Statistics last year; 3.8 million children in the age group of 5-14 years are working in Pakistan out of a total of 40 million children. Out of these 3.8 million children, 2.7 million were claimed to be working in the agricultural sector and 73% of them were boys.
Despite the fact that many states have clearly stated laws for preventing the exploitation of children, yet the practical implementation lags behind, bringing forth substantial outcomes. As a part of global effort, multiple organizations like International Labour Organization (ILO),  ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), UNICEF, Save the Children, End Child Labour, Justice for Children International, Child Labor Coalition, Child Labour Awareness, Children Watch, Free the Children, World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) etc. are working with the goal to progressively eliminate child labour through strengthening the capacity of countries to deal with the problem and promoting a worldwide movement to combat child labour. Among the several partners of these organizations includes employers’ and workers’ organizations, international and government agencies, private businesses, community-based organizations, NGOs, the media, parliamentarians, the judiciary, universities, religious groups, children and their families.
But all these efforts are confined to organizing seminars, passing resolutions and drawing action plans for the protection of children that brings no visible change on ground. It is pity that very few material steps have been taken to protect the rights of children.
Attitudes will have to change and loopholes in policies need to be addressed if child labouris to be eradicated. Some essential changes that are the dire need of time includes formulation of proper methods to spread awareness of child protection, we need to foster mind change among parents, who view their kids as source of income and have to make these parents aware of the significance of education that can change the fortune of their future generations. For this policy to work governments must invest more money into the education system on priority basis as many parents do not want to send their children to school, either because they need to pay fees or they view the school system as inadequate.
Furthermore, Governments should also employ counselors that hold regular meetings with concerned parents and make them aware of developments so as to satisfy them.
Strict actions hould also be forged against the employers who hire children and are indulged in exploitation of child labour. Besides, preference of boys over girls is another main reason that child labour continues to thrive in some parts of world. Governments should strengthen ways to empower women and children and a law should also be passed declaring domestic employment hazardous for society as a whole.
There is a necessity to review and redesign the child laws with greater emphasis on accountability and applicability. With regard to enforcement of formulated laws, most labourers and parents are often not mindful about regulations regarding child labour; thus proper methods of educating these people about laws must been forced. Hence, better solutions need to be adopted for eradicating this curse, otherwise it will soon lick the pillars of the world.

http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/05/01/curse-child-labour/

http://www.saach.tv/2012/05/03/curse-of-child-labour/

Buried National Interests and their Grave on Trial

With only 15 seconds of punishment, the PM Contempt Case under consideration from last 150 days has not ended. The vague decision announced by Supreme Court of Pakistan has many loopholes, which are not understood by common man of Pakistan for the betterment of whom it’s contended that this decision is taken.
Though the democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people but I am sorry on being part of current democracy that exists. It is democracy that has brought distress to the people, is not answering to any voice raised by the people and mistakenly claims to be appointed by the people.
I am sorry that we nominated Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the position of Prime Minister and he used the powers bestowed by people to convert his title from Prime Minister to Crime Minister. To the PhD’s he made a speech and said if I write letter to Swiss Courts as demanded by Supreme Court, it will be an act against article 6 of the constitution i.e. against head of the state and hanged till death is the punishment for violation of that article but if he does not write the article he will be imprisoned for 6 months.
According to the words of popularly elected Prime Minister, he can go against the interests of the people but cannot go against party leadership. He can resist writing letter to get details of alleged illegal money deposited in Swiss Banks that belongs to people of Pakistan, but he cannot resist the trial of BB’s grave. Whose PM is he, country’s or party’s? Which kind of PM is he for whom country can be put at stake but individual cannot? His priority to national interests would have been clarified if he would have opted to go for being hanged rather than hanging and killing democracy to death.
This decision is not only being discussed within the boundaries of Pakistan, rather it has again given the image to the world that democracy is being played at the hands of politicians that erode them with their personal interests.
Coming over to what has been done by the next pillar of state, I am sorry to Supreme Court that I put trust in it and wrongly sacrificed the life of people in Long March, and we perceived the struggle will lead to judiciary that will be dealing with the cases neutrally. But every dream does not come true and justice delayed remains to be justice denied. What we saw after its restoration was that judiciary kept trying to jump into the boots of executive work.
More significantly, as far as the yesterday’s verdict is concerned, it has left the citizens in a confused state and has left them thinking whether it was a punishment or a joke? It has shattered the trust of the people, who are asking isn’t a mistake done by politicians, a mistake? The punishment to politicians lasts for seconds, but the ordinary citizens are being given lifetime punishment for being born in Pakistan? Everything from basic needs to political rights have been taken away. But the motto of THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING persists.

Published by:

Saach TV: http://www.saach.tv/2012/04/27/buried-national-interests-and-their-grave-on-trial/

Frontier Post: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/159128/

News Pakistan: http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/04/28/buried-national-interests-grave-trial/