by Lady Michelle-Jennifer Santos, Founder & Publisher
March 7, 2013 (TSR) – United Nations officials have paid tribute and held one minute of silence on Wednesday to give honor and respects to the late President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez who passed away on Tuesday.
The man who received standing ovations and sustained applause by UN members for his 2006 address as he spoke boldly and sharply critized against the American empire’s “hegemonic pretensions” that are placing at risk “the very survival of the human species” through “world dictatorship”, a “system of exploitation, of pillage, of hegemony through war” imposed by weapons and bombs and firing weapons that which “we cannot allow”. This same speech is being included in much of the soundbytes that has to do with Venezuela all week.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had just briefed the Security Council late on Tuesday when he was asked about the death of President Chavez.
“As president of Venezuela, he has been making his own contribution to his own country. At the same time, as the Secretary-General, while I will be able to issue a more formal statement, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the families, people and government of Venezuela on the loss of President Chavez.”
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, the President of the UN Security Council for March described the death of President Chavez as “a tragedy”.
“He was, I think a great politician for his country, for Latin America and for the world and, of course, he played a very important role in the development of relations between Venezuela and Russia. So we feel very badly about it.”
Later that day, the following statement was issued by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General was saddened by the death of Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. He offers his condolences to the family of the President, the Government and the people of Venezuela.
President Chávez spoke to the challenges and aspirations of the most vulnerable Venezuelans. He provided decisive impetus for new regional integration movements, based on an eminently Latin American vision, while showing solidarity toward other nations in the hemisphere. His contribution to the current peace talks in Colombia between the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has been of vital importance.
The Secretary-General renews the commitment of the United Nations to work alongside the Government and the people of Venezuela in support of its development and prosperity.
UN Security Council and Human Rights Council expressed their condolences and held one minute silence each
The United Nations (UN) Security Council observed a minute of silence honoring the memory of Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frias on Wednesday.
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, and President of the Security Council for the month of March led the Council and said,
“May I ask the members of the Security Council to join me in observing a minute of silence to honor the memory of the deceased Venezuelan President.”
Also on Wednesday, at the beginning of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council (HRC) meeting, where enforced or involuntary disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief was on the agenda, many delegations offered their condolences to the Venezuelan delegation.
At the request of the CELAC, the Human Rights Council also observed a minute of silence in honor of Commander Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.
Venezuela became one of the council’s 47 members this year, as voted by member countries through a secret ballot last fall at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Venezuela won a seat, receiving more votes than the United States or two other nations in the Western group, Germany and Ireland. Western states expect it to vote along similar lines of Cuba on issues such as Syria and North Korea, now that its Caribbean ally is no longer a member.
Poland’s Remigiusz Achilles Henczel, who holds the Council’s rotating presidency, said: “We reiterate on behalf of the Council our condolences to the people and government of Venezuela at the death of Hugo Chavez.”
Alexandre Fasel, Vice President of the Human Rights Council, expressed his condolences to the family of Hugo Chávez.
Speaking on behalf of the CELAC, the Permanent Representative of Cuba in Geneva, Ambassador Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, expressed deep sympathy and its deepest solidarity with the people and government of the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and in particular with the families and friends of Commander Chavez . He said the countries of the Group received the news with deep sorrow.
He emphasized that his death touched everyone because Chávez is an exceptional, extraordinary, respected and admired man worldwide, and that everyone, including his political opponents, even wished him a speedy recovery while struggling with cancer.
The Cuban Ambassador highlighted the encouragement, support, affection and solidarity of the people of Venezuela to Chavez.
The representative stressed in particular the work of Commander Chávez for Latin American and Caribbean integration, who was instrumental in the progress of Latin America into its second independence as well as their struggle for the welfare of the Venezuelan people and many other nations of the world .
“I fight for the Patria Grande as the great liberator Simon Bolivar” said Rodriguez Camejo.
“Those who die for life can not be called dead.” Chavez is not dead. Chavez made history yesterday, came more than a decade ago when it launched the Bolivarian Revolution and the struggle for a true Latin American integration. His life and work will always be remembered as a landmark. His figure and legacy is an inspiration to all, particularly for peoples struggling for a better world, “said the Cuban diplomat.
In his speech, he also highlighted the Chavez-led integration initiatives like ALBA, Petrocaribe, UNASUR and CELAC. In this regard, he stressed that they will not die, but be strengthened.
He also recalled that “under the leadership of Commander Chávez, Venezuela has reached the best position in its history. It has achieved almost all the Millennium Development Goals, eradicating illiteracy, democratized access to education including university, said universal health coverage with quality services, rose more than the minimum wage, poverty declined significantly and allowed inherited the people driving their fate and their future freely build political, economic and social. Operation Miracle, which has restored the vision and thereby improve the quality of life of millions of Venezuelans, Latin American and Caribbean countries, is a clear example”.
Below is the full text he delivered at the Council meeting:
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Cuba, Ambassador Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, on behalf of the CELAC, on the death of President
Geneva, March 6, 2013.
Mr. President:
With profound grief, our country received yesterday the news of the unfortunate and painful death of Commander Hugo Rafael Chávez Frias, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Before continuing this intervention we observe a minute’s silence in his honor.
Mr. President:
On behalf of the countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), we express our deepest sympathy to the people and government of the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and in particular with the families and friends of Commander Chávez.
It’s hard to take this painful event. His death touches us all. Physically, no longer exists an exceptional man, extraordinary, respected and admired worldwide, and that everyone, including his political opponents, whom we wished a speedy recovery.
Of particular note is the breath of the Venezuelan people, which gave him all the support, love and solidarity in difficult times.
Mr. President:
It is impossible to refer to the immense work of Commander Chávez in so little time. Chavez was instrumental in Latin America’s progress toward its second independence. He fought and worked tirelessly not only for the welfare of the Venezuelan people, but also by many other nations and particularly the Latin American and Caribbean. I fight for the Patria Grande as the great liberator Simon Bolivar.
In the words of the Venezuelan singer Ali Primera, “those who die for life can not be called dead.” Chávez is not dead. Chavez made history yesterday, came more than a decade ago when it launched the Bolivarian Revolution and the struggle for a true Latin American integration. His life and work will always be remembered as a landmark. His figure and legacy is an inspiration to all, particularly for peoples struggling for a better world.
Under the leadership of Commander Chávez, Venezuela has reached the best position in its history. It has achieved almost all the Millennium Development Goals, eradicating illiteracy, democratized access to education including university, said universal health coverage with quality services, rose more than the minimum wage, poverty declined significantly and allowed inherited the people driving their fate and their future freely build political, economic and social. Operation Miracle, which has restored the vision and thereby improve the quality of life of millions of Venezuelans, Latin American and Caribbean countries, is a clear example.
Mr. President:
The Comandante Chávez is from Venezuela, is the world and Americas. Our peoples will be present more than ever and continue his work, which is the best possible homage and tribute to a man of such high political and leadership.
We are convinced that the peoples of Our America, guided by his example, will continue to advance towards true unity and integration. Their integration initiatives, such as ALBA, Petrocaribe, UNASUR and CELAC, will not die, but be strengthened.
Reiterating the strongest solidarity with the spirit of the Bolivarian Revolution, its people and its leaders are confident that they will know to continue that great work of love and social justice that initiated and conducted by the Commander Chávez in the land of Bolivar.
You will always remain with us, President Chávez.
Thank you very much.
Bolivia, speaking on behalf of Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas, said the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas was overwhelmed by the passing of President Chavez, whose thoughts and actions went beyond the borders of his land.
In her speech to the 20th ordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council, Navarro lamented the death of a statesman whose thoughts and actions transcended borders and who had become a symbol of the struggle for justice,
“no longer exists a statesman whose thought and action is beyond the borders of their land and became a symbol to fight for just causes and for achieving the cherished aspirations and dreams of our people. “
Ambassador Angelica Navarro Llanos stressed that ALBA’s “sorrow would become a commitment to continue his work, which had taken on a universal dimension. His thoughts were still thriving and flourishing”.
He also emphasized that “Chavez was able to understand more fully the independence and unitary thinking of Latin American and Caribbean heroes and take it to your fullest expression, embodied in the founding of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America.”
Below is the full text she delivered at the Council meeting:
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Boliva, Ambassador Angelica Navarro, on behalf of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America
Geneva, March 6, 2013.
Mr. President:
I speak on behalf of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA).
It is immense pain that overwhelms us. The villages south of the Rio Bravo feel in the depths of his being the loss of one of its most beloved leaders, Commander – President Hugo Chávez Frias.
Particularly, ALBA countries felt deep sadness. No longer exists a statesman whose thought and action is beyond the borders of their land and became a symbol of struggle for just causes and for achieving the cherished aspirations and dreams of our people.
President Chávez was able to understand more fully the independence and unitary thinking of Latin American and Caribbean heroes and take it to your fullest expression, embodied in the founding of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America.
ALBA has shown to be a growing political force at regional and international levels and accompanying today’s most progressive stances in confronting the schemes of domination that has sought to impose on our people. The unquestionable success achieved in social by the ALBA also transcended borders and constitute a real expression of promoting true human rights for all.
And in front of that beam, peoples that struggle for integration, was, is and will be the Commander Chávez, author of this work of love and dignity that is the ALBA!
So our pain becomes resolve. So our sadness becomes commitment to continue his work which has already achieved universal dimension.
President Chavez will live forever because they are alive and thriving his thought and example. He has held a place in the Olympus of the Latin American and Caribbean heroes, like Bolivar, from the sky of America, will remain ready to continue fighting for the dignity of the peoples of the world.
Thank you very much
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Geneva, Ambassador Seyed Mohammad Reza Sajjadi, paid tribute on behalf of the 120 members (including Palestine) and 17 observer countries bloc called the Non-aligned Movement (NAM).
The Non-aligned Movement (NAM) makes up nearly two-thirds of the United Nations and Iran is the Chair for the period 2012 to 2015.
Below is the Ambassador’s statement:
Statement by HE Seyed Mohammad Reza Sajjadi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Geneva
The Non-Aligned Movement expresses its deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people and Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the death of his Commander President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias. Make yourself get our sorrow to their families in particular.The Non-Aligned Movement recognizes the outstanding work of Commander Chavez leading the Bolivarian Revolution. Under his leadership, Venezuela has achieved almost all of the Millennium Development Goals, eradicating illiteracy, democratized access to education including university, said universal health coverage with quality services, rose more than the minimum wage, significantly decreased inherited poverty and allowed people to drive their destiny and build freely their future political, economic and social. Operation Miracle, which has restored the vision and thereby improve the quality of life of millions of Venezuelans, Latin American and Caribbean countries, is a clear example.
The Comandante Chavez is an example for everyone. The people will remember and will present their ongoing struggle for the interests of the South. His sense of solidarity, equity, social justice and fight for the poor and forgotten, to inspire present and future generations.
Reaffirm the strongest solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution, its people and its leaders are confident that they will know to continue that great work of love and justice that initiated and conducted the Commander Chávez in the land of Bolivar.
Malaysia expressed Malaysia’s deep condolences for the passing of President Hugo Chavez.
China said that the late President Chavez had been an outstanding leader of the people of Venezuela and a friend of China, and extended China’s condolences to Venezuela.
Venezuela thanked all delegations who expressed their condolences and solidarity with Venezuela at this difficult moment and said that a book of condolences would be open for those who wished to write down their thoughts.
