UN Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution on Freedom of Navigation in Strait of Hormuz

Hamilton, Canada (ANTARA) - The UN Security Council, on Tuesday, failed to adopt a draft resolution calling for coordinated “defensive” measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after Russia and China exercised their veto rights. The draft resolution, prepared by Bahrain, received 11 votes in favour. Colombia and Pakistan abstained, while Russia and China used their veto powers as permanent members of the Council to block the resolution. The draft strongly urged countries to “coordinate efforts, which are defensive in nature, as appropriate, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including through the escorting of commercial and trading ships, and to prevent attempts to close, obstruct, or disrupt international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” The draft also requested that coordination efforts by Council members be “defensive” in nature, and to take “all appropriate steps” to ensure their activities are “conducted fully in accordance with international humanitarian law.” The resolution further called for the rights and freedoms of navigation of third-party states to be scrupulously respected, with the aim of ensuring “unimpeded and unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” Speaking after the vote, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed his “regret” to the Council for failing to adopt the draft resolution. “The Council has failed to fulfil its responsibilities regarding illegal actions that require firm action without delay,” he said. Bahrain currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. Source: Anadolu