Human rights situation in the OPT – Third Cttee debate – Summary record (excerpts)

Third Committee

48th meeting

held on

Monday, 4 December 1995

at 10 a.m.

New York

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 48TH MEETING

Chairman:  Mr. TSHERING  (Bhutan)

CONTENTS

AGENDA ITEM 112: HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS (continued)

(a) IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS (continued)

(b) HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS (continued)

(c) HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS AND REPORTS OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS AND REPRESENTATIVES (continued)

(d) COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION (continued)

(e) REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (continued)

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The meeting was called to order at 10.30 a.m.

AGENDA ITEM 112: HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS (continued)

(a) IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS (continued) (A/50/40, 44, A/50/75-E/1995/10, A/50/78-E/1995/11, A/50/93-E/1995/16, A/50/122-E/1995/18, A/50/160, 164, 469, 472, 505, 512 and 755)

(b) HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS (continued) (A/50/57, 80, 173, 188, 343, 440, 446, 452, 495, 514, 566, 653, 678, 681 and Add.1, 682, 685, 698, 714, 729, 736 and A/50/765-S/1995/967; A/C.3/50/5 and A/C.3/50/6)

(c) HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS AND REPORTS OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS AND REPRESENTATIVES (continued) (A/50/57, A/50/61-S/1995/16, A/50/69-S/1995/79, A/50/71-S/1995/80, A/50/81, A/50/92-E/1995/15, A/50/96, 178, 183, 207, 220, A/50/268-S/1995/531, A/50/269-S/1995/536, A/50/281, A/50/285-S/1995/573, A/50/287-S/1995/575, A/50/296-S/1995/597, A/50/302-S/1995/594, A/50/329, A/50/354-S/1995/696, A/50/358-S/1995/712, A/50/441-S/1995/801, A/50/471, 558, 567, 568, 569, 661, 662, 663, A/50/709-S/1995/915, A/50/727-S/1995/993, A/50/734, 767 and 782; A/C.3/50/9)

(d) COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE VIENNA DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION (continued) (A/50/36)

(e) REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (continued) (A/50/36 and A/50/743)

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9. Mrs. BARGHOUTI (Observer for Palestine) said that the 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights had constituted a major step towards the promotion and protection of human rights and that the United Nations, as a whole, and the Centre for Human Rights, in particular, should do more to accelerate the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Her delegation recognized the important role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in that regard and his great efforts to improve the functioning of the Organization’s human rights machinery. While she commended the High Commissioner for his valuable report (A/50/36), she believed that attention should be given to the violation of the human rights of people living under foreign occupation or alien domination. The international community should consider promotion of the right to development a top priority and strive to implement the recommendations of the Working Group on the Right to Development.

10. The human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, was cause for grave concern. The Palestinian people were still being denied the right to self-determination, which was considered a basic human right under the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The United Nations system should do more to assist the Palestinian people in their efforts to implement that right. The situation of the Palestinian refugees and displaced persons was another matter of grave concern. Approximately half of the Palestinian people were refugees, and a large number were displaced persons, who remained scattered throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and other countries. The international community should continue to provide them with the necessary assistance until a final and just solution was attained.

11. The demolition and sealing of Palestinian homes by the Israeli authorities continued to be used as means of collective punishment and represented a clear violation of human rights. Furthermore, the repeated imposition of curfews and closing of the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem by those authorities seriously affected the economic situation and development of the Palestinian people.  Her delegation remained greatly concerned about the continuing practice of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment by the Israeli authorities and called for the immediate release of all remaining Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

12. The continuing confiscation of land and the building of illegal settlements by the Israeli Government also affected the rights of the Palestinian people and had dangerous consequences for the peace process. The promotion of the social, civil, political and economic rights of the Palestinian people could be guaranteed only by strict observance of the international human rights instruments and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, particularly as set forth in the fourth Geneva Convention.

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24. Mr. LAVROV (Russian Federation) …

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32. The Russian Federation viewed with optimism the continuation of the Middle East peace process and, as a co-sponsor, would do everything in its power to secure a lasting and just peace in the Middle East. The experience of the United Nations since its inception had shown that the attainment of peace, respect for human rights and freedom from fear and want was entirely dependent upon the efforts and abilities of its Member States.

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The meeting rose at 12.40 p.m.