Pretoria: BRICS has called for adherence to international law to be applied in Palestine, particularly international humanitarian law and international human rights law, while also condemning all violations, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The grouping also spoke out against attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects, including healthcare facilities and other civilian infrastructure, as well as the unlawful obstruction of humanitarian access.
According to South African Government News Agency, in the New Delhi Declaration adopted on Saturday, BRICS condemned attempts to politicise or militarise humanitarian assistance. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi under the theme: 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting a people-centred and humanity-first approach.
BRICS reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means and depends on the fulfilment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and return. The grouping expressed firm opposition to the forced displacement, temporary or permanent, of any Palestinian population from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and opposed any geographic or demographic changes to the territory of the Gaza Strip.
BRICS reiterated that international law and international judicial bodies demand the end of the illegal occupation and the immediate cessation of all practices that undermine legal norms and obstruct a just and lasting peace. The grouping reiterated grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Furthermore, BRICS rejected unilateral measures that seek to alter the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem, urging respect for the sanctity of all religious sites and holy places in the city and for the rights of all to access and observe their religious rites without hindrance.
The bloc has expanded from its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia as full members. President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending the BRICS Leaders' Summit. The 2025 partner-country framework includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
According to India's BRICS presidency, the 11 member countries account for about 49.5% of the world's population, 40% of global gross domestic product, and 26% of global trade. The grouping provides a platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional matters, including political, economic, financial, and people-to-people cooperation.