Israeli practices – SpCttee report – GA resolution

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Invoking the provisions and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Bearing in mind the provisions of the Geneva convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in time of War, of 12 August 1948, 24/

Recalling Security Council resolutions 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967 and 259 (1968) of 27 September 1968, as well as other pertinent resolutions of the United Nations,

Having considered the report of the Special committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories, 25/

Considering that a system of investigation and protection is required for ensuring effective implementation of the international instruments, such as the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949, which provide for respect for human rights in armed conflicts,

Recalling that, in accordance with article 1 of that convention, the States parties have undertaken not only to respect, but also to ensure respect for, the Convention in all circumstances,

Considering that implementation of the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 cannot and should not be left open in a situation involving foreign military occupation and the rights of the civilian population of these territories under the provisions of that convention and in accordance with the principles of international law,

1.  Commends the Special committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories for its efforts in performing the tasks assigned to it;

2.  Strongly calls upon Israel to rescind forthwith and desist from, all such policies and practices as:

(a)  The annexation of any part of the occupied territories;

(b)  The establishment of Israeli settlements in those territories and the transfer of parts of an alien population into the occupied territories;

(c)  The destruction and demolition of villages, quarters and houses and the confiscation and expropriation of property;

(d)  The evacuation, transfer, deportation and expulsion of the inhabitants of the occupied territories;

(e)  The denial of the right of the displaced persons to return to their homes;

3.   Reaffirms that all measures taken by Israel in contravention of the Geneva convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to settle the occupied territories, including occupied Jerusalem, are null and void;

4.   Affirms the Principle of the sovereignty of the population of the occupied territories over their national wealth and resources;

5.  Calls upon all States, international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize or cooperate with, or assist in any manner in, any measures undertaken by the occupying Power to exploit the resources of the occupied territories or to effect any changes in the demographic composition or geographic character or institutional structure of those territories;

6.  Requests all States parties to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 to do their utmost to ensure that Israel respects and fulfills its obligations under that convention;

7.   Requests the Special Committee, pending the early termination of Israeli occupation of Arab Territories, to continue its work and to consult, as appropriate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to ensure the safeguarding of the welfare and human rights of the population of the occupied territories;

8.   Requests the Secretary-General to render all necessary facilities to the Special committee including those required for its visits to the occupied territories with a view to investigating Israeli policies and practices affecting the human rights of the population of the occupied territories, especially:

(a) The measures concerning the establishment of Israeli settlement sin the occupied territories and the moving into the occupied territories of an alien population, contrary to the provisions of the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949;

(b) The situation concerning the annexation of any part of the territories occupied by Israel since 5 June 1969;

(c) The exploitation and the looting of the resources of the occupied territories;

(d) The changes in the physical character or demographic composition or institutions structure of those territories, including the transfer or deportation of population thereof or the demolition of houses and towns therein;

(e) The pillaging of the archaeological and cultural heritage of the occupied territories;

(f) The interference in the freedom of worship in the holy places of the occupied territories;

9.  Calls upon Israel to co-operate with the Secretary-General and the Special Committee and to facilitate their tasks;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the widest circulation of the reports of the Special Committee by all means available through the Office of Public Information of the secretariat;

11. Requests the Special committee to report to the Secretary-General as soon as possible and whenever the need arises thereafter;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session on the task entrusted to him;

13. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its twenty-eight session the item entitled "Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories.

2112th plenary meeting

15 December 1972

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24/ United National, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973,p. 287.

25/ A/8828

spcttee.man.72