IOS organises Discussion on “UN, Middle East and Sovereignty: Issues and Challenges”

IOS organises Discussion on “UN, Middle East and Sovereignty: Issues and Challenges”

New Delhi: A discussion on “UN, Middle East and Sovereignty: Issues and Challenges” was organised by the Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) on July 4, 2025 in online mode.

Initiating the discussion, Prof. Arshi Khan, Professor of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, introduced the Institute by highlighting its activities. He said that the Institute, since its inception in 1986, widened the scope of its endeavours as a non-political and non-profitable organisation. It had been recognised in all relevant quarters at national and international plane for promoting research, conducting surveys on relevant themes, publishing books and journals in the areas of national concern. The focal areas might also be identified for developing development models suited to Indian masses, particularly the poor, marginalized and deprived sections. It had tried its best to uphold the ideals of secularism, democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism. It was focusing on constitutional guidance like fundamental duties and fundamental rights. He noted that the Institute had specifically tried to create linkages with the other NGOs on practical levels by creating synergy for collaborative efforts and programmes. So far, 15 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed with the universities and institutions from within India and abroad.

Prof. Khan held that the IOS was an NGO in consultative status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. He said that research and academic activities were conducted through 23 academic committees in their specialised areas. Besides, the IOS had set up a data bank which catered to researchers and common users. The prime purpose of the data bank is to keep abreast of the latest diversified information on the Indian population in general and Muslim in particular. So far, 475 projects, reports and translation of important books have been completed. Under the publications programme, about 470 titles have been brought out. The Institute had been running a scholarship scheme under which financial assistance was provided to meritorious and deserving candidates pursuing Ph.D., M.Phil., Post-graduation and graduation in social sciences, humanities, law, management, journalism and other professional courses. In the field of publication, the Institute is publishing two bi-annual academic journals (The Journal of Objective Studies and the Religion and Law Review) on regular basis. It is also bringing out a quarterly academic journal in Urdu since 2006. In addition, one monthly Newsletter is published in English and a quarterly Newsletter in Urdu. The IOS also launched IOS Current Affairs and Nuqta-e-Nazar in Urdu. He said the Institute is regularly organising national and international conferences, seminars on prominent scholars and topical social issues. So far, about 1050 conferences, seminars, discussions and symposia have been organised, he added.

Prof. Aftab Kamal Pasha, Ex-Associate Dean, Director and Chairman, Gulf Studies, School of International Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, , who presided over the programme, observed that there were 193 countries as members of the United Nations. The UN is responsible for maintaining international peace, security and state’s-sovereignty. This is the world’s largest body that addresses global challenges. It serves as a platform for nations to coordinate their efforts and policies towards achieving common goal. But of late, the UN is under pressure from big powers impinging on the sovereignty of nations. It is due to pressure from the United States’ and other European powers that Israel has been defying UN resolutions on Palestine. Israel is engaged in committing genocide in Gaza with thousands of unarmed and innocent Palestinians being indiscriminately killed by Israeli defence forces. But the UN has become a mute spectator to intransigent Israeli action. Israel is flagrantly violating international law and the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. He said even the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres is helpless to restrain Israel from carrying out killings of innocent civilians. The US and her European supporters, particularly the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) are giving full support to Israel undermining the international law. International law is being willfully flouted by Israel.

Prof. Pasha held that UN resolutions against Israel could not been enforced due to opposition from these powers. Two-thirds majority of UN votes in favour of humanitarian aid to the Gaza population became ineffective due to the blockade of Gaza by Israel. He said that the US was the stumbling block to the action against Israel. Israel had been emboldened by the support extended by the US and its Western allies not to have any respect for human rights, he remarked.

Mr. Salman Khurshid, Former Union Minister and senior advocate, Supreme Court of India, noted that Gaza crisis was the biggest challenge before the United Nations since the Second World War and the Cold War period which began after the war (between 1947 and 1991). Ever since the establishment of the United Nations, there were some glitches about its efficacy. Unlike the League of Nations, certain safeguards were provided to save it from dissolution. There is cynical failure of the international organization to prevent atrocities on the residents of Gaza. Israel’s belligerence in Gaza where it committed genocide and caused extensive damage to buildings and property could not be prevented by the big powers due to their unconditional support to it. There is denial of fundamental rights to Gaza residents. One can see the situation in Iran and what is happening there. This is also a big challenge. He said that due to the power of veto exercised by the United States, U.N. resolution was not enforced. It is a failure on the part of the world body and we need to think over it. Some initiatives have to be taken to restore peace in the area. He stressed that the new administration in the US had to take certain steps that could prevent the hostilities in Gaza.

Mr. Khurshid called for sharing a common idea and aspirations. A new avatar of the movement should emerge. He emphasised the need for a lead and India could take this initiative. He said, we have to work within the U.N. and outside of it, and bilaterally decide the matter. Global South and civil society should work for the protection of human rights.” He suggested that the global south countries should take a leading role in resolving issues. BRICS countries were looking to India to use its influence to impress on the combatants to stop fighting. He held that global south could use itself to focus on global issues, like climate change, protection of human rights and state sovereignty and cooperation among nations. Thus there was the need for working on a new global politics. It should be directed to a positive way. International global figures’ opposition to the current situation was much vague ‘opposition’ which was more dangerous. He said, U.N. is a failing system as far as its responsibilities are concerned. Under the circumstances, a new order has to be developed multilaterally. Global citizens should come together to make world public opinion on Gaza and Ukraine and focus on the violation of international law. Awareness has to be made to rebuild their lives, he concluded.

Mr. Amaresh Misra, Historian, author, journalist and political analyst, Lucknow, pointed out that the seven-day war showed that Iran was a power in the Middle East to reckon with. It also showed that Iran had power in Lebanon. There was resistance to the Israeli forces in Syria. Resistance to Israel was growing and becoming successful as 30 Israelis were killed in June alone. This was announced by IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) itself. Hamas refusal to capitulate before Israel was the power that emerged. He said that Russia and China were representing the Global South. This grand axis was coming up along with the Muslim Brotherhood. Russia is creating a New World Order. Global resistance to the violation of international law is becoming more pronounced. He observed that Iran’s resistance was determined and after Iran it could be Ankara (Turkiye) and the USSR. People are losing confidence in their leaders because of genocide. There is panic in Qatar over the possible attack over it by Iran. There was naked revival of the idea to rule over people. This was being sponsored by the US. He said geography is inimical to geo-politics. There was a Jew-Nazi project which corresponded to the Italian world ‘Travesty’ and the ‘Swastika’ adopted by Nazi Germany. But there was opposite to it also in Netherlands, where cards were displayed reading ‘Jews are not welcome.’ He noted that rule-based order was ‘might is right’. That meant Greater Israel and the expansion of Zionism and Nazism, he remarked.

Prof. Arshi Khan held that the UN was an important player of the US. Both the Americans and Europeans were responsible for the attack on Western part of Palestine and the Iranian Nuke sites. Attack on nuclear sites had not been condemned by European countries. UN resolution on Israel had always been vetoed by the US. This prompted Israel to violate all norms of human rights. This also explains the audacity of Israel to kill 5000 Palestinians who were collecting food and essential goods in Gaza. He said that this was a massive violation of Geneva Convention and the UN charter on human rights. He said Palestinian Authority is facing financial problems. He asked the Indian government to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

H.E. Mr. Abdullah Mohammad A. Abushawesh, Ambassador of Palestine to India, said that UN resolution against Israeli intervention had not been enforced. On several occasions, the United States vetoed the resolution on Israel. This was open violation of international law. It was not justified in Gaza where thousands of Palestinians were being killed by Israel grossly violating human rights. He said that after the Second World War, international community including the US, created a nation out of Palestine. This was a part of an economic agenda of American and European powers. An economic and political order was being sought to be created by the US and the European powers. He urged the international community to oppose Israel. Israeli attack was part of the plan for the establishment of a new economic and political order. That was related to the question of Palestinian existence. He believed that the relevance of the UN was still important to hold genocide as a violation of human rights and the international law. It was also against the commitment to prevent violation of UN charter. It was not only the genocide in Gaza but the use of Israel to continue its dominance to re-orient economic and political order, he added.

Chairman of the IOS, Prof. M. Afzal Wani noted that he was hearing Palestinian issue since the last 40 years. All the documents of the UN, including the Charter of Human Rights had been adopted by the UN General Assembly that enshrined the rights and freedoms of all human beings. We should do something for giving respect to human rights. The spirit of human rights and the protection of sovereignty was lacking. He said that precedence of politics motivated certain people to create conditions of war. All the people should understand the sensitivity of the problem. Economic development, strategy, promotion of culture should receive proper attention. Cruelty and devastation should end. There should be peace, sovereignty of the state and respect for human rights. We had to understand the sensitivity of the situation and work in the direction of sovereignty and the protection of human rights. Peace and values are the main objectives and these should be achieved. Common man along with the academics should remain with human rights. He maintained that about 60,000 people have been died and hundreds are being killed every day. Defective theory and ideology are responsible for this. He held that a terminology developed by scholars should be adhered to. Awareness of the people was very necessary. Despite despotic rule, people should resist bad politics. Violation of human rights should be opposed, he concluded.

Prof. (Ms.) Haseena Hashia, Vice-chairperson, IOS proposed a formal vote of thanks to the speakers and attendees.