Play viable role to end Gaza genocide-Kisumu MP tells gov’t

Kisumu Town MP Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir tabled a motion in Parliament calling upon the government to enhance its diplomatic efforts to end the genocide in Gaza.

The motion called for an immediate cessation of all acts of aggression carried out by the Israeli occupation and appealed to the international community to exert more efforts towards ending injustices against Palestinians.

The legislator who is the convener of the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus said the government had an obligation to stand with the oppressed people of Palestine who have been suffering under decades of occupation and oppression.

“Aware that among the rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter on Human Rights is the right to life and self-determination of people. The fact that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in Gaza and the West Bank has been characterized by the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force, including the destruction of infrastructure, widespread civilian casualties, and willful killings of Palestinian civilians, including children,” he said in his motion.

Shakeel accused Israel of arbitrary violation of international laws, notably the resolution taken by the United Nations General Assembly demanding the end of the occupation of Palestine. The resolution, which was overwhelmingly passed, like other previous decisions of the United Nations has been ignored by Israel.

While addressing the August House, the legislator said Kenya having played significant roles in global peace initiatives, should use its influential role to call for peace and an end to the genocide in Gaza as well as the continued violations of the rights of Palestinians.

The motion followed a call from the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman Abdullahi Abdi, who called on Muslim Members of Parliament to raise their voices in urging the government to condemn the genocide in Gaza and demand an immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.