BRICS FMs condemn unilateral protectionism, call for UN reforms

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
29 Apr 2025 23:37
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BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Rio condemned unilateral trade protectionism, called for lifting economic sanctions, reaffirmed support for UN Security Council reform, and denounced the terrorist attack in Kashmir.

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Government representatives from BRICS countries and partner countries pose for a photo at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting at the Itamaraty Palace in Rio de Janeiro, April 29, 2025 (AP)

BRICS foreign ministers expressed serious concern over the rise of unjustified and unilateral protectionist measures that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro on April 29. In a joint declaration issued after the session, the ministers criticized such practices and called for the lifting of unilateral economic sanctions.

"The ministers expressed serious concern over the growth of unjustified unilateral protectionist measures that are inconsistent with WTO rules," the declaration stated. The BRICS nations also condemned unilateral efforts to undermine the work of international organizations.

Reforming the UNSC

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing meaningful reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. According to the declaration, BRICS countries support the resumption of discussions aimed at restructuring key UN bodies to reflect more equitable global representation and to achieve tangible progress.

"The ministers reaffirmed their urgent call for reform of the principal bodies of the United Nations... and support for resuming discussions on the reform of the UN Security Council," the document read.

Medvedev proposes BRICS intl. court as alternative to 'flawed' ICC

In a similar context, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev recently proposed the creation of a new international legal body under the BRICS international court framework as an alternative to what he described as the "inefficient" and "irreversibly flawed" International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an article titled "Lost Illusions, or How the International Criminal Court has become a legal nonentity," Medvedev argued that the ICC's current role and structure have failed to deliver impartial justice and should be replaced.

Medvedev suggested that BRICS nations could lead the development of a new judicial body that aligns with the principles of the UN Charter, particularly emphasizing sovereign immunity in international law.

The Russian official accused the ICC of displaying "discriminatory blindness and hearing loss," focusing on less significant cases while allowing high-profile war criminals to evade prosecution.

Condemnation of Kashmir terror attack

The BRICS countries also strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, India, which killed at least 26 people and injured many others.

"The ministers strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir," the declaration stated, extending condolences to the victims' families and calling for global cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms.