Situation in the Palestinian refugee camps – Letter from CEIRPP Chairman

Letter dated 12 March 1987 from the Chairman of the Committee on the

Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to the

Secretary-General

In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and with reference to my previous letters sent on behalf of the Committee (A/42/122-S/18682 and A/42/135-S/18713), I wish once again to draw your urgent attention to the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut and near Tyre, which continues to arouse the most serious concern.

According to recent information, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been able to enter Burj El-Barajneh camp twice with medical supplies and food (on 25 February and 3 March) and Shatila once with food (on 27 February).  The Agency, however, was barred from bringing medical supplies into Shatila, which is reported as having been totally destroyed.  Since those deliveries, the Agency has again been barred from entering the camps.  It has not yet been permitted to enter Rashidieh, which remains isolated, although supplies have reached other refugees in the Tyre area.

In view of the above, it is clear that the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps remains extremely grave and is bound to deteriorate further unless urgent measures are taken.  The Committee accordingly wishes to reiterate its pressing appeal to you and to all parties concerned to do everything possible to enable UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations to provide emergency relief to the Palestinian refugees, for whom the international community has a special responsibility.

I should be grateful if you would have the text of this letter distributed as a document of the General Assembly, under item 38 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

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