Thirtieth session of OIC Foreign Ministers – Final Communiqué/Resolutions – Letter from Iran (excerpts)

Letter dated 3 June 2003 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General 

  I have the honour in my capacity as Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Group at the United Nations, to transmit herewith the texts of the final communiqué (annex I), the Tehran Declaration (annex II) and the resolutions (annexes III-XI) adopted by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers at its thirtieth session, held at Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 28 to 30 May 2003.

  I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter and its annexes circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 10, 21, 22 (o), 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 43, 44, 47, 49, 50, 54, 61, 62, 63, 66, 69, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 84, 86, 87, 89, 91, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 152, 158, 159 and 160, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) M. Javad Zarif 
Permanent Representative
Chairman, OIC Group

Annexes to the letter dated 3 January 2003 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

[Original: Arabic, English and French]

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FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ

OF THE

THIRTIETH SESSION OF THE

ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS

(SESSION OF UNITY AND DIGNITY)

TEHRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

27-29 RABIUL-AWAL 1424H 

(28-30 MAY 2003)

1.   At the kind invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the 30th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) was held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran on 27-29 Rabiul-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003).

/…

POLITICAL AFFAIRS:

The Question of Palestine, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Arab-Israeli Conflict

15.   The Conference stressed the need for the establishment of the independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. It stressed also the need to implement all the international resolutions on the cause of Palestine, particularly UNSC Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and UNGA res. no 194 on the Return of Palestinian Refugees and the UNSC resolutions on Al-Quds especially Resolutions 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1073 (1996) and 1397 (2002).

16.   The Conference commended with great pride the stead-fastness of the Palestinian people and its national and legitimate leadership under the chairmanship of the militant President Yasser Arafat in the struggle against Israeli aggression. It also asserted its continued political, material and moral support to the Palestinians to recover their inalienable national rights, including their right to return and establish their independent Palestinian state on their national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

17.   The Conference reaffirmed its support to, and adoption of, the Arab peace initiative for resolving the issue of Palestine and the Middle-East, adopted by the 14^th Arab Summit held in Beirut (Lebanon) on 28 March 2002; and decided to act by all means and ways to clarify this initiative, explain its dimensions and gain international support for its implementation.

18.   The Conference affirmed the support of Member States to the peace process according to the foundations defined by the Madrid Peace Conference, which are based on the United Nations Charter and resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978) and the “land for peace” principle, all of which call for Israel’s withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the restoration of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and the complete pullout from the occupied Syrian Golan to the 4^th of June 1967 line and from all occupied Lebanese territories to the internationally recognized borders.

19.   The Conference requested the QUARTET (the United States, the Russian Federation, the EU and the UN to resume action to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in implementation of the relevant resolutions of the international legitimacy, the Madrid terms of reference, the Arab Peace initiative, and the implementation of the Road Map as published and to compel Israel to:

(i)   Halt aggression against the Palestinian people and to stop the assassination and detention operations, destruction of houses and infrastructures and desecration of Islamic and Christian holy shrines.

(ii)   Immediately end all aggressive Israeli measures against Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the rest of Palestinian cities, especially the policy of judaization, settlement, destruction of Palestinians’ houses, confiscation of their lands, alteration of landmarks of their cities, immediate halt of the policy of isolating Al-Quds AL-Sharif city from its Palestinian surroundings, the setting of roadblocks, denying Palestinians access to the city and their religious places therein.

(iii)   Bring Israel to put an end to the construction of the racist wall which devours Palestinian territories and creates unjust realities in respect of the borders of the Palestinian state and further aggravates the conditions in the region.

(iv)   Ensure the withdrawal of the occupation forces, and put an end to Israeli siege imposed on the Palestinian people and their leadership and remove all closures and road blocks imposed on access-roads, towns, villages and Palestinian refugees camps.

(v)   Put an end to all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

(vi)   Ensure the release of all Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

(vii)   Send international observers to ensure the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people.

(viii)   Allow access for food and medical stuff to Palestinian territories and to release funds of the Palestinian authority withheld by Israel.

20.   The Conference strongly condemned Israel’s expansionist colonialist settlement policy and emphasized the necessity of action to stop all colonialist settlement activities and Israeli measures and practices which contravene the resolutions of the international legitimacy which also violate the relevant accords signed by the Palestinian and Israeli sides. It requested the U.N. Security Council to prevent such measures, remove the Israeli colonial settlements in accordance with Security Council Resolution 465 and revive the International Supervision and Monitoring Committee to Prevent Settlement in Al-Quds and the occupied Arab territories in line with Security Council Resolution 446.

21.   The Conference strongly condemned Israel's continued attempts to impose its control on the Holy Qudsi Haram and repeated attempts to intervene in the affairs of the management of Islamic waqfs, and also condemned Israel's plans aimed at imposing "the fait accompli" through the use of military force and allowing extremist Jewish groups to desecrate the precincts of Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque and occupying the neighbouring buildings. It considered these acts as deliberate and provocative, allowing extremist Jewish organizations to continue their repeated desecration of the sanctity of the Aqsa Holy Mosque, by establishing their presence on its precincts, and continuing their piracy acts against religious, historical and cultural heritage in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Palestinian territories.

22.   The Conference hailed the government, people and the resistance movements of Lebanon for their steadfastness and for liberating Lebanese territories and repelling Israeli occupation. It also supported Lebanon in its efforts to liberate its entire territory within its internationally recognized borders. It also called on the United Nations to force Israel to pay damages for all the losses it inflicted or caused as a result of its continuous acts of aggression against Lebanon. It supported Lebanon in its demands for the removal of the mines left behind by Israel. Having planted these mines, Israel must bear the responsibility for their removal. Furthermore, it backed the inalienable rights of Lebanon to utilize its waters in accordance with international law and condemned Israel’s designs on these waters. It held Israel responsible for any action that may undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, national unity and territorial integrity.

23.   The Conference strongly condemned Israel’s policy of refusing to comply with Security Council resolution 497 of 1981 and of imposing its laws, jurisdiction and administration on occupied Syrian Golan as well as its policies of annexation, building of settlements, confiscation of land, diversion of water sources and imposition of Israeli nationality upon Syrian citizens. It considered all such measures as null and void, and a violation of the provisions and principles of International Law and International Humanitarian Law, particularly the 4^th Geneva Convention of 1949. It also demanded Israel to completely withdraw from occupied Syrian Golan to the 4^th June 1967 borders.

Islamic Boycott of Israel

24.   The Conference called on Member States to enforce the Islamic Boycott against Israel and to take steps to incorporate the legislations and regulations governing the said boycott into their existing national legislations.

25.   The Conference reaffirmed the commitment of Member States to implement the principles and laws governing the Islamic boycott of Israel.

26.   The Conference commended the constructive cooperation and coordination between the Islamic Office for the Boycott of Israel at the OIC General Secretariat and Arab Office for the Boycott of Israel at the General Secretariat of the Arab League. This cooperation is aimed at achieving the greatest degree of effectiveness in the implementation of the Boycott in Arab and Islamic states.

27.   The Conference endorsed the recommendations made by the meeting of officials concerned with the Boycott of Israel held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 15-16 March 2003.

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Annex II

    TEHRAN DECLARATION

    In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

  The Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation participating in the Thirtieth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, the Session of Unity and Dignity , held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 28 May to 30 May 2003,

 Reiterating their full adherence as well as their determination to realize the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,

Reaffirming that Islam, a religion of compassion and peace, provides the source, foundation and inspiration for maintaining unity and dignity within the Muslim Ummah and for promoting friendly relations among Islamic countries as well as between Islamic and other nations,

Recognizing that the Organization of the Islamic Conference provides the forum for cooperation and coordination of Islamic nations in a wide range of political, social, economic, cultural and Islamic issues,

Dignity through Faith, Reason, Dialogue and Assertive Global Presence 

1. Noted that despite major achievements and important developments in various fields, humanity is threatened by the tendency for domination through imposition of power and force, and resort to violence and terror as means to resolve differences.

2. Emphasized that blind violence and terrorism distort the prospect for a humane solution to common challenges through cooperation, and resort to military force, unilateralism and intimidation undermines the cause for freedom and democracy.

3. Rejected resort to force and unilateral action which undermines freedom and sovereignty of peoples and nations, and expressed alarm over a rising tendency to disregard international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

4. Reiterated that Islam calls all nations to faith, justice and tolerance and the Islamic civilization has been historically identified as a religion which promotes dialogue and wisdom and that Islamic Nations have interacted with other nations on the basis of tolerance and mutual understanding.

5. Expressed their deep concern over the dangerous and erroneous association of Islam and the Muslim world with violence, terrorism, and lack of participation and democracy to instigate Islamophobia and an atmosphere of hatred, reaffirmed their determination to combat such bigotry and discrimination and promote a more enlightened approach in the global community, and called upon all members of the international community, as well as the media, to promote respect and understanding among all cultures and religions.

6. Emphasized that the current international environment is in dire need of promotion of dialogue among civilizations aimed at enhancing understanding, mutual knowledge, tolerance and mutual respect among civilizations, and decided to establish a high level open-ended committee to draw up a comprehensive plan for the implementation of the relevant OIC and UN General Assembly resolutions.

7. Reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations against the life and property of innocent people and the sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability, and security of States, underlined the imperative of addressing and eliminating the root causes of terrorism, rejected the biased labeling of Islamic countries and movements resisting foreign aggression and occupation as terrorists, and stressed the need for convening an international conference to define terrorism, and to distinguish it from the legitimate struggle of peoples under alien domination and foreign occupation to self-determination.

8. Demanded the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction and the universal non-proliferation of nuclear weapons towards general and complete disarmament, underlined that universal multilateral institutions are the sole legitimate bodies to verify and ensure compliance, expressed their full support for the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and South East Asia, and urged all States, especially Nuclear Weapon States, to exert pressure on Israel to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and place its nuclear facilities under the IAEA full-scope safeguard.

9. Expressed their determination to vigorously pursue the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination at the local, regional and global levels and to encourage greater transparency, cooperation, mutual tolerance and respect for Divine values in the field of universal promotion and protection of human rights.

10-Underlined that the world more than ever is facing a crisis of identity and spirituality which is threatening the role of human kind in its own home, and reaffirmed that in the advanced age of technology and information, Islam can provide sound responses to the moral and global challenges which face humanity.

Unity through Solidarity and Coordination

11-Reaffirmed their resolve to contribute effectively to the maintenance and promotion of regional and global peace and security, to preserve peace and security of all Islamic countries, to reject misinformation campaigns and threats against Islamic countries, and to extend full support and solidarity to Islamic countries facing external pressure, threat and interference in their domestic affairs, in accordance with the UN Charter.

12-Condemned the continued occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab territories by Israel and its policy and practice of repression and state terrorism against the Palestinian people, reaffirmed their solidarity with the resistance of the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese people against aggression and occupation, reiterated their call to the international community to support the right of Lebanon and Syria to the liberation and recovery of their occupied territories respectively in the Sheba Farms and the Golan, and to implement the relevant UN resolutions on the basis of the return to the 4^th June 1967 borders, and urged the international community to take urgent and effective steps to ensure the realization of all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people including their right to establish their own independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital and to secure the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland.

13-Expressed their full support to the Iraqi people to establish, with the central role, pivotal help and support of the United Nations, an independent and democratic government, fully representative of the Iraqi people and enjoying cooperation and good relations with its neighbors, called for the speedy restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty through the establishment of a legitimate government and an end to the occupation, and called upon the international community to assist in the restoration of security, public order, provision of urgent humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of Iraq.

14–Welcomed and Supported the establishment of the Afghan Interim Administration as a major step towards the establishment of fully representative government and promotion of security and comprehensive and sustainable development, and decided to fulfill expeditiously their financial pledges to the Afghan people, and increase their assistance to the Interim Administration in curbing the cultivation of opium and narcotics trafficking.

15–Welcomed the recent positive initiatives by the leaders of Pakistan and India to diffuse tension in the region and reiterated their support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the realization of their right, to self determination.

16–Welcomed further the new positive developments between the two parties in Cyprus as a step to promote confidence which could give a new impetus to the efforts targeting a comprehensive settlement, and supported the Turkish Muslim community of Cyprus in the realization of their legitimate rights.

17–Noted that globalization and increasing liberalization have made the external environment for development crucial, particularly since OIC Member States have become more vulnerable to the fluctuations in international trade, financial and monetary flows as well as to the changes in technology, and called on developed countries to create a more practical, equitable and transparent environment enabling developing countries to implement their structural adjustment programs to achieve sustainable development.

18–Addressed the impact of the information society on economic and socio-cultural development, urged industrial States to elaborate a work program that would enable developing States to benefit from communication technology to bridge the digital divide and decided to actively participate and coordinate their positions in the World Summit on Information Society.

Effectiveness through Participation and Rationalization

19–Decided to promote the standing of the OIC in the international scene through dialogue and cooperation with all the relevant international organizations and institutions, requested the Secretary-General to broaden such interactions and report his findings to the Member States, and instructed their foreign missions, particularly their Permanent Missions in New York and Geneva, to enhance their coordination and hold regular consultations on all issues of interest to the Islamic world.

20–Reaffirmed their desire to continue consultation and exchange of views with the European Union and other international groups on issues of common interest and decided to consider ways and means of promoting this dialogue.

21– Stressed the increasing relevance of the OIC in the new international environment and the need for the OIC to review and rationalize its agenda and operationalize its resolutions, and decided to establish an open-ended meeting of senior officials in mid 2003 for this purpose.

Annex III

Resolutions on Palestine affairs: Arab-Israeli conflict and Al-Quds Al-Sharif; and Islamic boycott of Israel

Contents

RESOLUTION NO. 1/30-PAL

ON THE

CAUSE OF PALESTINE AND THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict (Document No.ICFM/30-2003/PAL/SG.REP.1);

Proceeding from the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC);

Based on the Islamic resolutions on the Case of Palestinian and the Arab-Israeli Conflict;

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the U.N. Security Council, particularly resolutions 242 (1967); 338 (1973); 425 (1978); 465 (1980); 476 (1980); 478 (1980); 1397 (2002); 1435 (2002) and General Assembly resolution no.194 on refugees as well as resolution No. ES-10/17; resolution No. A/ES-10/10 adopted by the 10^th Extraordinary Emergency Session of the General Assembly in 2002 on illegal Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as the resolutions adopted by the Commission relating to human rights violations in the occupied Arab and Palestinian territories as well as the resolutions adopted by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the League of Arab States particularly the resolution of the 14 ^th Arab Summit, held in Beirut on 28 March 2002 concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the other occupied Arab territories; and the resolutions of the 15th Ordinary Arab Summit held in Sharam Al-Sheikh, Arab Republic of Egypt on 1^st March, 2003.

Expressing its strong condemnation of Israel’s persistence in its crimes and massacres as well as repressive and terrorist practices against the Palestinian people, committing aggression against their holy places and national institutions and continuing to implement its policy of colonialist settlements and the expansion of existing ones along with the confiscation of land and property and the perpetuation of the policy of collective sanctions against Palestinian and Arab citizens in all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories as well as the siege of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, violating the sanctity of holy places and desecrating both Muslim and Christian shrines;

Condemning the continuous Israeli aggressions against the Lebanese territories and their civilian population;

Affirming the Islamic states’ commitment to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the area;

Emphasizing that the Israeli policies, practices and expansionist designs threaten not only Arab states and the peace process, but also the Islamic countries at large and jeopardize international peace and security;

Holding Israel fully responsible for undermining of the Middle East peace process on all tracks as a result of the Israeli government’s intransigence, its reneging on the foundations of the peace process, especially UN Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the “land for peace” principle, and its failure to comply with all the agreements concluded in its context;

Hailing the resolutions of the regular session of the League of Arab States Summit held in Beirut on 27-28 March 2002 which adopted the Arab Peace Plan based on the complete Israeli withdrawal from all the Arab occupied territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to the 4^th of June 1967 borders;

Hailing the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their valiant “ Intifada” (uprising) to recover their inalienable national rights;

Resolving to back such efforts by all possible ways and means:

1-  Reiterates all the resolutions adopted by the Islamic Conferences and Al-Quds Committee, particularly resolutions of the 19^th Session of Al-Quds Committee in connection with the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

2 –  Stresses the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital and the implementation of all the international resolutions pertaining to the Palestinian cause, in particular UN Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338(1973) and the resolution of the UN General Assembly No. 194 on the return of Palestinian refugees and Security Council resolutions on the issue of Al-Quds, especially the resolutions 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1073 (1996) 1397 (2002).

3 – Backs the stand of the Palestinian State based on holding fast to the sovereignty of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including the Holy Haram in that City and that of all the Christian and Muslim holy places and shrines which constitute a part of the Palestinian territories occupied since June, 1967; emphasizes that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is the capital of the independent State of Palestine and vehemently rejects any attempt to diminish Palestinian sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

4-  Hails with great pride the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their legitimate national leadership under the striving President Yasser Arafat against the Israeli occupation in order to achieve their legitimate rights. Emphasizes the continuation of providing its political material and moral support to enable the Palestinian people to restore their national inalienable rights including their right to return, to self determination and to establish their independent Palestinian state on their national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

5-  Reiterates its support to, and adoption of, the Arab peace initiative for resolving the issue of Palestine and the Middle-East, adopted by the 14^th Arab Summit held in Beirut (Lebanon) on 28 March 2002; and decides to act by all means and ways to clarify this initiative, explain its dimensions and gain international support for its implementation.

6 – Affirms the support of Member States to the peace process according to the foundations defined by the Madrid Peace Conference, which are based on the United Nations Charter and resolutions, particularly Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978) and the “land for peace” principle, all of which call for Israel’s withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the restoration of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and the complete pullout from the occupied Syrian Golan to the 4^th of June, 1967 line and from all occupied Lebanese territories to the internationally recognized borders.

7 –  Underlines that Israel’s flouting of the principles and foundations on which the peace process was based, and its reneging on the commitments, pledges and agreements reached in the context of the said process, along with its procrastination and reneging insofar as implementation was concerned and the brutal massacres perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people have destroyed the peace process; holds the Israeli Government fully responsible for this situation.

8 –  Requests the QUARTET (the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United Nations) to resume action to achieve a just and integral peace in the Middle East in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the international legitimacyP, with the Madrid Terms of Reference and the Arab initiative for peace and to implement the Road Map as it was first issued and compel Israel to:

–   Halt aggression against the Palestinian people and to stop the assassination and detention operations, destruction of houses and infrastructures and desecration of Islamic and Christian holy shrines.

–   Immediate cessation of all aggressive Israeli measures against Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the rest of Palestinian cities, especially the policy of judaization, settlement, destruction of houses, confiscation of land, alteration of landmarks of Palestinians' cities, immediate halt of the policy of isolating Al-Quds AL-Sharif city from its Palestinian surroundings, the setting of roadblocks, denying Palestinians access to the city and their religious location therein.

–   Compel Israel to stop the construction of the racist wall which devours Palestinian territories and creates unjust realities in respect of the boarders of the Palestinian state and further aggravates the conditions in the region.

–  Withdraw the occupation forces, and Israeli siege imposed against the Palestinian people and their leadership and remove all closures and road blocks imposed on access-roads, towns, villages and Palestinian refugees camps.

–  Put an end to all Israeli settlement acts in the occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

–   Release all Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

–   Send international observers to ensure the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people.

–  Allow access for food and medical stuff to Palestinian territories and to release funds of the Palestinian authority withheld by Israel.

9 –   Reaffirms the United Nations immutable responsibility towards the Palestinian cause until a just and comprehensive settlement has been reached for all its aspects that would ensure ending the occupation, and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable national rights, including the right to return, to self-determination and to independent statehood on their national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

10-  Appreciates with great pride, the official and popular support extended by Member States to the Palestinian people and its National Authority, and also urges Member States to continue extending all kinds of aid to the tragedy-stricken Palestinian People. Also exhorts all States and Authorities concerned to bolster the international programme of economic, social, and cultural development in the Palestinian territories, and to extend all necessary assistance aimed at helping the Palestinian People to build their national economy and support their national institutions and to enable them to establish their independent State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

11-  Condemns the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli occupation forces, and perpetrating heinous massacres and mass executions specially those which claimed the lives of hundreds of martyrs in different cities, towns and villages and Palestinian refugee camps.

12-  Holds Israeli fully responsible for the consequences of its aggression and practices against the Palestinian people, including the responsibility for paying compensation for the material and economic losses sustained by the infrastructure of towns, villages, refugee camps and Palestinian national economy.

13-  Condemns Israel’s violation of the International Red Cross Convention and its continuous attacks against medical personnel, ambulances belonging to the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent as well as the other relief organizations; and Israel’s refusal to allow these bodies perform their task according to the International Humanitarian Law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.

14-  Condemns Israel for attacking the holy Islamic and Christian sites in Palestine and its continued attempts to impose its control over the Holy Aqsa Mosque and to make room for extremist Jewish groups to desecrate it and for denying worshipers access to the blessed Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Nativity and the Church of the Resurrection; further condemns the Israeli occupation forces for robbing, removing and destroying official and private Palestinian institutions and confiscating their records and documents as well as violating personal properties and household.

15-   Condemns Israel for willfully destroying cultural and heritage sites in Nablus and Al-Khaleel (Hebron) in addition to inflicting heavy damage on the Church of the Nativity which constitutes ancient religious, cultural, and historical values; further condemns Israel for plundering, removing and sabotaging cultural assets in numerous Palestinian cultural centers and museums; demands the international community and the World Heritage Commission to take drastic sanctions against Israeli for the danger it constitutes to the treasures of universal heritage.

16-  Condemns terrorism practiced by Israeli colonialist gangs against Palestinian civilians institutions; holds Israel fully responsible for the consequences of such aggression, especially that it is taking place before the very eyes and ears of the Israeli occupation forces and aided by an atmosphere of incitement against the Palestinian people and their institutions encouraged by the Israeli government.

17-  Condemns Israel’s expansionist colonialist settlement policy and reiterates the necessity of action to stop all colonialist settlement activities and Israeli measures and practices which are contrary to the resolutions of the international legitimacy which are also counter to the accords signed by the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Requests the U.N. Security Council to prevent such measures, remove the Israeli colonial settlements in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 465 and revive the International Supervision and Monitoring Committee to Prevent Settlement in Al-Quds and the occupied Arab territories in line with Security Council Resolution No. 446.

18-  Requests the U.N. Security Council, in its capacity as the only international organization responsible for safeguarding international peace and security, to shoulder its responsibility for halting immediately the Israeli aggression in accordance with the international resolutions, agreements and recommendations agreed upon within the framework of the peace process;

19-  Requests Member States to abide by the resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and Foreign Ministers Conferences on the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict during voting at the United Nations and other international forums.

20 –  Urges the international community and all the states that extend economic and financial assistance to Israel, especially the US and the European Union as well as international donor institutions and funds to halt the assistance which Israel uses to carry out its colonial settlement designs in the occupied Arab territories in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan.

21-  Invites friendly States and states of the European Union to impose sanctions against Israel for committing crimes against humanity, and war crimes against unarmed civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories.

22 – Emphasizes the pursuance of halting all political contacts with the Israeli government as long as the aggression and blockade against the Palestinian people and its National Authority continue, and as long as Israel persists in refusing to implement the relevant UN resolutions and calls on Member States which have established, and which had started to take steps to establish, relations with Israel within the context of the peace process to sever these relations, including the closure of any missions or offices, severance of all economic relations, and halt of all forms of normalization with Israel until it meticulously and sincerely implements the UN resolutions on Palestine, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict and until a durable and comprehensive peace is established in the region.

23 –  Calls for commitment to implement the provisions of the Islamic boycott of Israel, and considering the legislations, rules and statutes governing the boycott action, “the general principles of the boycott, the Islamic law and the by-laws of the regional offices and their periodical meetings” as part of the national legislations in force, and also calls for the creation of the necessary offices and mechanisms for so doing and for coordination between the Islamic Boycott Office and the Arab Boycott Office.

24 –  Hails the steadfastness of Lebanon – Government, People and Resistance – and what has been achieved in terms of the liberation of the Lebanese territories and the repelling of the Israeli occupation. Supports Lebanon in its efforts to liberate its entire territories to the internationally recognized borders. Alsodemands the United Nations to force Israel to pay damages for all the losses it inflicted or caused as a result of its continuous aggressions against Lebanon. Supports Lebanon in its demands for the removal of the mines left behind by the Israeli occupation; Israel is held responsible for laying and removing of these mines. Supports the inalienable rights of Lebanon to utilize its waters in accordance with the international law and condemns Israel’s avidities in these waters. Holds Israel responsible for any action of a nature as to infringe upon Lebanon’ s sovereignty, political independence and safety of its people and integrity of its territories.

25 –  Strongly condemns Israel’s policy of refusing to comply with Security Council resolution 497 of 1981 and of imposing its mandate, laws and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan as well as its policies of annexation, building of colonial settlements, confiscation of land, diversion of water sources and imposition of Israeli nationality upon Syrian citizens. Considers all such measures as null and void, and constituting a violation of the provisions and principles of International Law and the International Humanitarian Law, particularly the 4^th Geneva Convention of 1949. Demands Israel to completely withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan to the June 4 ^th, 1967 lines.

26 –  Requests the international community and the UN Security Council to compel Israel to comply with U.N. decisions, especially Security Council resolution 487 of 1981, to join the Nuclear Weapons Non Proliferation Treaty, implement the decisions of the General Assembly and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calling for subjecting all Israeli nuclear installations to the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards system. Emphasizes the necessity for Israel to declare renunciation of nuclear armament and submit to the UN Security Council and the IAEA a factual statement on its capabilities and stockpile of nuclear weapons and substances, given the fact that those are imperative steps for the creation, in the Middle East, of an area free of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons – which is essential to the establishment of a comprehensive and just peace in the area.

27 –  Affirms on the constant responsibility of UNRWA for fulfilling its duties towards the Palestinian people wherever they may be in accordance with the UNGA resolution on the matter. Calls on the Member States to request the UN Secretary-General to advise the Conciliation Committee, in collaboration with UNRWA and concerned states, carry out a comprehensive census of Palestinian refugees and their property and develop a global vision to solve their problems based on their right to return to their homeland, Palestine, in accordance with UN resolution 194. Calls on states to extend further support to cover the budget of UNRWA and enable it to continue providing its services.

28 –  Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures for the pursuance and enhancing of contacts and coordination on the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict between the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), on the one hand, and the League of Arab States, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Organization (UNO) and its specialized agencies, and requests the OIC General Secretariat to hold, in coordination with the concerned international and regional organisations, an international symposium in the US on the acts of the expansionist Israeli colonialism,

29 –  Requests the Secretary-General to follow-up the implementation of the present resolution and report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the ICFM.

RESOLUTION NO. 2/30-PAL

ON THE

CITY OF AL-QUDS AL-SHARIF

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif ((Document No.ICFM/30-2003/PAL/SG.REP.1);

 Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC);

 Pursuant to the Islamic resolutions and decisions affirming that the issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif is the core of the Palestinian cause which, itself, is the essence of the Arab-Israeli conflict and that there can be no comprehensive and just peace without the return of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif to Palestinian sovereignty, as the capital of the State of Palestine;

 Recalling the relevant UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 242 (1967); 252 (1968); 338 (1973); 465, 476 and 478 (1980) and 1073 (1996) pertaining to the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

  Confirming resolutions 2/10 of the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) tenth extraordinary emergency session dated 24 April 1997 and 3/10 dated 15 July 1997 on the illegal actions carried out by Israel in the occupied Eastern part of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) and the other Palestinian territories under its occupation;

 Strongly condemning the continuing and escalating Israeli aggressions on the holy places in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and other Palestinian cities and the desecration of sacred shrines;

 Reaffirming all the UN Security Council resolutions on Al-Quds, including resolution 681 dated 20/12/1990 stipulating that all the provisions of the 4^th Geneva Convention of 1949 on the protection of civilians in times of war apply to the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories, including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

 Strongly denouncing all the illegal measures and practices, which are contrary to all international resolutions, decisions and laws, undertaken by the Israeli occupation authorities in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and designed to judaize the Holy City and obliterate its Arabo-Islamic features;

 Hailing the consistent efforts deployed by Al-Quds Committee under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Mohamed VI, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco;

  Commending the sustained efforts exerted by all OIC Member States in defending the inviolability of Muslim holy shrines and sanctuaries in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, safeguarding the Holy City’s Arab identity and Islamic character and protecting it from Zionist tampering and judaization schemes;

 Paying tribute as well to the contribution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to rehabilitating Al-Aqsa Mosque and the blessed Dome of the Rock at the behest of and under the guidance of the late King Hussein ibn Talal, the late King Hasan II and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz;

1 –  Reaffirms all the relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the Islamic Conferences, including those of previous sessions of Al-Quds Committee particularly the 19 ^th Session.

2 –  Emphasizes that there can be no just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East area as long as Israel has not withdrawn from all the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, foremost among which is the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, in implementation of Security Council resolution 242 (1967).

3 –   Affirms its support to the stand of the State of Palestine resting on holding fast to sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including the Holy Haram in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and all the Christian and Muslim holy places which are part of the Palestinian territories occupied since June, 1967. Also affirms that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is the capital of the independent State of Palestine. In this connection, underlines its rejection of any attempt to diminish Palestinian sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

4 –  Reaffirms that all the occupation-related settlement measures and practices in Al-Quds and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories are null and void in line with the resolutions and decisions of the “International Legitimacy” as well as international covenants and conventions which consider all Israeli arrangements, legislative, administrative and colonial settlement measures aiming at altering the legal, demographic, architectural, cultural and heritage-related status of the Holy City as null and void and contrary to the resolutions and decisions of the “International Legitimacy,” international covenants and conventions and diametrically opposed to agreements signed between the Palestinian and Israeli parties. Requests the UN Security Council to revive the International Supervision and Monitoring Committee to Prevent Colonial Settlement in Al-Quds and the Occupied Arab Territories, in accordance with its resolution 446.

5 –  Requests all states of the world to abide by Security Council resolution 478 (1980) which calls on them not to move their diplomatic missions to the City of Al-Quds. Also invites them to avoid having any dealing with the Israeli occupation authorities, lest it may be construed as an implicit, de facto recognition of the fait accompli imposed by Israel which claims that the City of Al-Quds is its capital. Expresses condemnation and rejection of resolution adopted by the U.S. Congress and the American statements in favour of recognition of Al-Quds as the capital of Israel and of moving the American Embassy therein. Calls for severing relations with any State that moved its embassy to Al-Quds or recognized Al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

6 –  Requests all states, institutions and international bodies to abide by the international resolutions on the City of Al-Quds, considered as an integral part of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied in 1967 and not to take part in any meeting or activity made to serve Israel’s designs to consecrate its occupation and annexation of the Holy City.

7 –  Invites the international community, especially the Security Council, to compel Israel to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy, to prevent it from effecting any geographic or demographic alteration in the Holy City of Al-Quds, lift the siege of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, stop the demolition of homes and the withdrawal of the identity cards of the Palestinian citizens as well as emptying of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif of its Arab nationals.

8 –   Strongly condemns Israel's continued attempts to impose its control on the Holy Qudsi Haram and repeated attempts to intervene in the affairs of the management of Islamic waqfs, and also condemns Israel's plans aimed at imposing "the fait accompli" with the use of force and allowing extremist Jewish groups to desecrate the precincts of Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque and occupying the neighbouring buildings. Considers these acts deliberate and provocative allowing extremist Jewish organizations to continue their repeated desecration of the sanctity of the Aqsa Holy Mosque, establishing their presence on its precincts, and continuing their piracy acts against religious and, historic and cultural relics in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Palestinian territories.

9 –  Strongly condemns the Israeli authorities for its continued closure of the Palestinian institutions in Al-Quds Al-Sharif including Beit Al-Sharq (Orient House) whose documents, official papers, and contents were looted by Israel. It considers such arbitrary coercive measures as a continuous violation of the accords signed between the PLO and Israel within the framework of the peace process and a flagrant violation, as well, of international conventions and covenants, particularly the 4^th Geneva Convention of 1949, and an infraction of the very principles and foundations on which the peace process was built in Madrid.

10 –  Strongly condemns Israel for its continued destruction of the houses of Palestinians and expropriation of their properties as part of its design aimed at judaizing the holy city, altering its demographic status and voiding it from its native inhabitants only to replace them with colonialists.

11 –  Strongly condemns the statements made by Israeli officials on the partition of the blessed Mosque of Al-Aqsa, and seriously cautions against the foolhardiness of implementing the dangerous orders issued by the Israeli occupation authorities to their security forces to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque and stresses that such a step would form a blatant affront to the sentiments of Muslims and an open invitation to push the situation towards an overall explosion and to further bloodshed.

12.  Appeals to the international community and the United Nations to intervene quickly and shoulder their responsibility for the implementation of the UN resolutions concerning the protection of civilians and holy places, and to put an end to the Israeli aggressions which fuel tension in the area and jeopardize international peace and security.

13 –  Lays stress on pursuing the work and coordination with international and regional organizations for the implementation of the international resolutions and decisions, especially UNESCO and the Committee on Heritage, and in this context requests the General Secretariat, in cooperation with concerned regional and international organizations, to organize an international symposium on the preservation of the Islamic cutural and historic character of the Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the means of confronting the continued attempts of the Israeli occupation forces to alter the historic, demographic, cultural and religious landmarks of the holy city.

14 –  Invites the Vatican, the Eastern Churches and other churches and Christian religious orders to take action to resist the judaization of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, keen as they are to respect the spiritual dimension of all the religions, as a safeguard to peaceful coexistence amongst them, and in observance of Security Council resolution 242 of 22 November1967, demanding Israel to withdraw from all the Arab territories occupied in 1967, including the City of Al-Quds, along with the rest of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Also decides to invite those states which established diplomatic missions in Al-Quds to withdraw these missions. Furthermore, calls for extending support to the population of Al-Quds Al-Sharif in their resistance of judaization and their uprooting from their city.

15-  Requests the General Secretariat to hold an international conference under the patronage of the chairmanship of Al-Quds Committee, on the necessity of the return of the Al-Quds Al-Sharif to the Palestinian sovereignty as a symbol of coexistence and peace and a cradle of Celestial Religions.

16 – Pays tribute to the laudable efforts exerted by the late King Hassan II to set up the Bait Maal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and define its objectives as being the protection of the Holy City and its Palestinian citizens. Expresses its thanks to his successor, His Majesty King Mohamed VI who, accorded the Agency, his sympathy and care, placed at its disposal generous means that made it possible for it to embark immediately on its activities under the best possible circumstances.

17 –  Expresses thanks to Member States of Al-Quds Committee who took the initiative of making donations in favor of the Agency, which was yet another reason why it managed to tackle without delay the execution of its housing, renovation and education projects; calls upon Member States to support the Agency and facilitate its mission with a view to mustering all its potentialities and using all the financial capabilities to contribute towards the achievement of its projects in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

18-  Reiterates the resolutions and decisions of the previous Islamic conferences affirming support for the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and fostering of the steadfastness of its people and calling for support as well to be extended to Bait Maal Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Al-Quds Fund.

19 –  Requests the Secretary-General to follow-up the implementation of the present resolution and report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 3/30-PAL 

ON THE 

OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Tehran (Session of Unity and Dignity), Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Having considered the item titled "The Occupied Syrian Golan" and Israel's decision of 14-12-1981 to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian Golan;

 Having reviewed the repressive measures to which the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan are being subjected and Israel's continued attempts to force them to accept Israeli identity;

 Recalling the relevant resolutions of previous Islamic Conferences, particularly Resolution 3/29-P of the 29th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Khartoum, Republic of the Sudan, and Resolution 3/9-P (IS) of the 9^th Islamic Summit held in Doha, State of Qatar;

 Recalling also Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) dated 17-12-1981 and the relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions, latest of which was the one adopted by the Fifty-fifth Session;

 Observing that Israel, in contravention of Article 25 of the United Nations Charter, has refused to accept and implement the numerous relevant resolutions adopted by the Security Council, in particular resolution 497 (1981) which considered null and void and with no legal consequence Israel’s decision to annex the occupied Syrian Golan;

 Deeply concerned at Israel’s persistent attempts to defy the will of the international community and its reaffirmation of the annexation decisions considered null and void and illegitimate by the international community;

 Affirming that the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in times of War (dated 12 August 1949) applies to the occupied Syrian Golan and that setting up settlements and bringing settlers to this area constitutes a violation of this Convention and destruction of the peace process;

 Affirming the fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territories by force;

 Condemns Israel’s non-compliance with the will of the international community by withdrawing from the occupied Syrian Golan which it occupies since 1967 contrary to the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly as well as international law.

 Expressing concern over Israel's destruction of the Peace Process which was launched by the Madrid Conference on the basis of the Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, as well as the peace-for-land formula and the risks resulting from Israel's reneging on the commitments and obligations reached,

1.  Lauds the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab citizens in the Syrian Golan against the occupation and their valiant resistance to Israel's repressive measures and against the continued attempts to undermine their attachment to their land and to their Syrian Arab identity, and declares its support for this steadfastness.

2.  Strongly condemns Israel for its failure to comply with Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) and reaffirms that Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian Golan is illegal, null and void and has no legal validity whatsoever and that it constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter and its relevant resolutions and of the OIC Charter and resolutions as well as the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in times of war dated 12 August 1949 and relevant provisions of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, and the rules of international law, in particular the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by force.

3.  Strongly condemns Israel for its persistence in changing the legal status, demographic composition and institutional structure of the Occupied Syrian Golan, and for its policy and practices particularly confiscating lands, appropriating water resources, establishing and expanding settlements and transferring settlers and immigrants thereto, exploiting their natural resources and establishing projects on them, and imposing an economic boycott of the agricultural products of the local population and prohibiting their exportation.

4.   Strongly condemnsalso Israel's attempts to impose Israeli nationality and identity cards on the Syrian Arab citizens, as these measures constitute a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Times of War of 1949 and the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and other international bodies.

5.  Condemns repeated Israeli threats against Syria aiming at wrecking the peace process and escalating tension in the region.

6.  Reaffirms that Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan since 1967 and its annexation of it on 14 December 1981 constitute a permanent threat to peace and security in the region.

7.  Reaffirmsalso the right of the Syrian Arab Republic to recover its full sovereignty over the Occupied Golan.

8.  Demands Israel to fully withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of the 4th of June 1967 in implementation of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and to immediately begin demarcating that line.

9.   Also demands Israel to fully respect all the foundations of the peace process as initiated in Madrid consistent with Security Council resolutions Nos. 242 and 338 and the “land for peace” formula and to abide by all the commitments and pledges reached so far.

10.  Demands anew all states to stop providing Israel with any military, economic, financial, technological or humanitarian assistance that may extend Israeli occupation of Syrian Golan and encourage Israel to pursue its expansionist settlement policy.

11.  Requests the co-sponsors of the peace process and the international community to assume their responsibilities and compel Israel to implement the resolutions of international legality calling for total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of 4 June 1967 and from other occupied Arab lands, and to immediately start demarcating this line in order to achieve a durable and comprehensive peace in the region.

12.  Declares its support for the firm position of Syria in its commitment to a durable and comprehensive peace in the region.

13.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution, and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 4/30-PAL 

ON 

ISRAEL’S CONTINUED OCCUPATION OF PARTS OF LEBANON

AND DETENTION OF LEBANESE CITIZENS IN ITS JAILS AND DETENTION CAMPS 

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Commending anew the steadfastness of Lebanon and the valor of its national resistance in achieving victory over the Israeli occupation forces and liberating most of its territories in the South and Western Bekaa;

 Recalling the resolutions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on Islamic solidarity with Lebanon to put an end to the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories in the South and West Bekaa;

 Noting Israel’s continued occupation of parts of Lebanese territories and positions along the Lebanese borders, its incomplete withdrawal from all Lebanese territories back to the internationally recognized borders in accordance with Security Council Resolution 425 (1978) and its continued violation of Lebanese airspace and plundering of their waters and soil;

  Deeply concerned at Israel’s continued, arbitrary detention of Lebanese citizens in Israeli prisons and camps in flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Times of War of 1949, and the Hague Convention of 1907;

 Noting with extreme concern and astonishment the ruling issued by the Israeli Supreme Court to allow the Israeli authorities to keep the Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails as “hostages and a card for compromise, and also to detain them without trial”;

 Recalling as well the resolutions of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on the suffering of Lebanese citizens in Israeli jails who experience difficult health and humanitarian conditions resulting in the death of a number of them;

 Reaffirming Lebanon’s right to compensation for the losses in human life, material damages and substantial economic losses it has sustained as a result of Israel’s repeated aggressions against Lebanese citizens and infrastructure, and the ensuing damages and heavy loss of life and property;

1.  Expresses anew its congratulations and appreciation to the Republic of Lebanon, its President, Government and People and commends the valiant Lebanese resistance as well as the admirable Lebanese steadfastness which repelled the Israeli forces from the South of Lebanon and the Western Bekaa.

2.  Strongly condemns Israel for its continued aggression against the Lebanese territories and its daily violations of the Lebanese sovereignty on the sea, land and airspace.

3.  Also strongly condemns Israel for its continued occupation of positions on the internationally recognized Lebanese borders, and Lebanese territories, including the Shaba’ ;a farms, in contravention of the provisions of Security Council resolution 425 (1978).

4.  Reaffirms its commitment to Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and supports the position of the Lebanese government which insists on the necessity of ensuring the complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories back to internationally recognized borders and of bringing them under Lebanese sovereignty. Reaffirms Lebanon’s right to recover every inch of its occupied territories and to reserve the right to resist Israeli occupation by all legitimate means until the liberation of all its territories including the Shabaa farms and supports Lebanon’s right to its waters in accordance with the International Law against Israeli avaracious designs.

5.  Supports the Lebanese position calling for maintaining the number of international forces working in Southern Lebanon without decreasing it or changing the nature of their task, especially in the light of the continuing Israeli threats, aggressions, and violations of the sovereignty of the Lebanese territories, air space, and territorial waters and mandates the Islamic Group at the United Nations in New York to continue its efforts to mobilize support for the Lebanese position.

6.  Condemns Israel for laying hundreds of thousands of mines in the Lebanese territories which it had occupied, and which caused, and continue to lead to the death to tens of victims as well as substantial material losses. Requests the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel to hand over all maps of mines in Lebanon and commends the initiative of the State of the United Arab Emirates to remove these mines in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese Government and the United Nations.

7.  Requests the international community, judiciary and political bodies and Member States to condemn Israel and bring pressure to bear on it to give compensation to Lebanon for the damages caused by Israeli repeated aggressions against Lebanese territories since the establishment of the State of Israel.

8.   Also demands the international community to take all necessary measures to compel Israel to immediately release all Lebanese prisoners and abductees detained in Israeli prisons in implementation of the provisions of international law and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and the Hague Convention of 1907, and urges Member States and international organizations to exert pressure on Israel to allow representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to visit Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons on a regular basis, report on their conditions, and provide them with health and humanitarian care. Requests the adoption of a decision by international organizations, especially, the UN Human Rights Commission to conduct enquiries, imposed by international conventions, into the death of Lebanese detainees in Israeli jails and detention camps, and force Israel to pay compensations to those affected according to prevailing international laws.

9.  Reaffirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and warns that settling these refugees in Lebanon and not settling their cause on the basis of the resolutions of international legitimacy undermines the security and stability of the region and impedes the achievement of a durable and comprehensive peace therein.

10.  Considers that the achievement of a durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is the appropriate way of achieving security and stability in the region. For this reason, it calls upon the international community, particularly the co-sponsors of the peace process – the United States and the Russian Federation – as well as the European Union to play a more effective role in ensuring the success of the settlement issue in accordance with the Madrid Terms of Reference and the decisions of international legality, particularly Resolutions 242, 338 and 425. Considersalso that the liberation of Lebanon from Israeli occupation is a victory for Lebanon, and that it constitutes a part of the liberation of occupied Arab lands which will only be complete when the prompt and complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan, back to the 4^th of June 1967 borders, is realized and by ensuring the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people including their right to return, rejecting their settlement outside their homeland, and establishing their independent state on their national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

11.   Mandates the OIC Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 5/30-PAL 

ON THE 

CURRENT SITUATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Referring to the resolutions of Islamic Conferences and the recommendations of Al-Quds Committee;

 Having examined the grave situation resulting from the continued policies of successive Israeli governments’ hostile to peace,

1.  Reaffirms its continued solidarity with the Palestinian people for the recovery of its imprescriptible and inalienable national rights, including its right to return, to self-determination, and to the establishment of its independent state on its national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

2.   Reaffirms the total solidarity of the Islamic States with Syria and Lebanon to confront the continuous Israeli aggressions and threats against them, and invites all the Islamic States to express this solidarity in a practical manner and by the use of all means, as well as to stand firm with Syria and Lebanon against any Israeli aggressions targeting them.

3–  Reiterates its adoption of the Arab peace initiative for settling the issue of Palestine and the Middle-East, which was adoped by the 14^th Arab Summit held in Beirut (Lebanon) on 28 March 2002; decides to act by all means and ways to promote this initiative, state its dimensions and gain international support for its implementation.

4.  Reaffirms also its commitment to just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on Israel’s implementation of the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy, particularly UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425 guaranteeing Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Syrian Golan, back to the 4 ^th of June 1967 line and from the Lebanese territory still under occupation to the internationally recognized borders as well as securing the Palestinian people’s imprescriptible, national rights including the right to return to its homes and properties in line with United Nations General Assembly’s Resolution 194 and to establish its independent state on its national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

5.  Strongly condemns the Israeli government’s policy and practices which are hostile to the peace process and are designed to undermine it through the continued colonization of Arab and Palestinian territories, including the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and also designed to invalidate the foundations and terms of reference of the Madrid Peace Conference, and evade the commitments, pledges and agreements reached in the past years of peace talks with the Palestinian and other Arab parties.

6.  Invites theOIC member states which have already established, or started to take steps to establish relations with Israel in the framework of the Peace Process to sever these relations, including the closing of missions and offices, cutting economic ties and stopping all forms of normalization until Israel meticulously and genuinely implements UN resolutions on the Question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and until a just and comprehensive peace is established in the region.

7.   Requests the Secretary-General to follow-up the implementation of the present resolution and report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 6/30-PAL 

ON 

AL-QUDS FUND AND ITS WAQF

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference;

 Pursuant to all the Islamic Resolutions adopted on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

  Reaffirming the principle of consolidating Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just and legitimate struggle;

 Paying tribute to those States, foremost among which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that regularly fulfill their obligations and make donations to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

 Appreciating the significance of the vital role played by Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf to support the steadfastness and struggle of the Palestinian people within the occupied Palestinian territories, and particularly the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

 Noting with deep concern Israel’s continued pursuit of its aggressive, expansionist and settlement policy;

 Commending the positive role played by the Governing Board of Al-Quds Fund in quest of financial resources to promote the Fund and its Waqf,

1.   Reaffirms all previous relevant resolutions adopted by successive Islamic Conferences.

2.  Expresses its profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the continued support to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf, which falls within the framework of their consistent solicitude towards the foremost cause of the Islamic Ummah, namely the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine.

3.  Appeals to the Member States to initiate donation campaigns in favour of Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf, together with the appropriate directives to the public and other media to conduct a parallel campaign for this purpose.

4.   Calls upon Member States to continue their support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, especially at this decisive stage, for the consolidation of its national authority over all occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, capital of the independent Palestinian State, and to extend all forms of support to the Palestinian people so they can build their institutions and national economy.

5.  Commends the positive role played by Al-Quds Fund in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and boosting their struggle.

6.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 7/30-PAL 

ON 

BAIT MAL AL-QUDS Al-SHARIF AGENCY

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabi-ul-Awal, 1424H (28-30 May, 2003),

 Proceeding from the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC);

 Recalling resolution no.7/9-C (IS) of the 9th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Doha (2000);

 Recalling also the resolutions of successive Sessions of Al-Quds Committee, especially those pertaining to the founding and structuring of Baitulmal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency;

 Mindful of the resolutions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers and the 9 ^th Islamic Summit Conference (Doha), which welcomed the establishment of Baitulmal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and called upon all member states to support the said agency so that it may perform its noble mission in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

 Recalling as well the resolutions and recommendations of the Sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (ICIM) (Cairo, 2003) and the 26 ^th session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs (Jeddah, 2003), both endorsing the agency’s functions and exhorting the member states to back its activities in the Holy City;

 Determined to intensify efforts in defending the Muslims’ first “qibla” and third holiest mosque, safeguarding its Arab identity and Islamic character and protecting it against Zionist infringement and judaization designs:

1 –   Pays tribute to the outstanding efforts exerted by the late King Hassan II, may God bless his soul and reward him for having founded Baitulmal Al-Quds Agency and set its objectives as protecting the Holy City and its steadfast Palestinian inhabitants along with its sacred Arabo-Islamic identity and heritage, and for having enabled it to carry out its mission by providing its headquarters and securing generous financial resources so that it may discharge its work in the best possible conditions;

2 –  Expresses its gratitude and thanks to His Majesty King Muhammad VI, who is following in the footsteps of his late father with the same faith, and upholding, with the utmost care and generosity, the agency’s activities;

3 –   Notes with satisfaction the donations made by some Islamic states in favor of Baitulmal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency to make it possible for it to implement its projects consistent with the statutes of Baitulmal;

4 –  Invites the member states to extend their support to Baitulmal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency, facilitate its tasks in all fields designed to harness all kinds of facilities and mobilize all the financial potentialities as well as technical and technological expertise to contribute towards the fulfillment of the agency’s projects in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

5 –   Invites also Islamic public and private institutions, financing funds, banks, businessmen and individuals to perform their sacred duty of fostering Baitulmal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and generously provide all the necessary assistance, to achieve its ambitious and pressing objectives in the areas of housing, education, health and others, and for the preservation of the Arab identity and Islamic landmarks of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

6 –  Exhorts firms, contractors and investors from Islamic states to invest in Al-Quds, as a show of cooperation with the inhabitants of Baitul Maqdes, in the various economic, commercial, trade and tourist fields, to shield the Holy City from the encroaching peril of judaization and preserve the Arab character of the City and its Muslim holy shrines.

7 –  Invites the Agency’s Director General to pay working visits to the Member States and urges the latter to help him organize wide ranging campaigns and embark upon intensive contacts with all the competent authorities, on both the governmental and private enterprise levels, in the fields of information, culture, finance and trade, to muster ample financial capabilities, again on both the governmental and private sector levels as well as the popular one, to meet the huge needs of the Holy City’s steadfastness in the face of the enormous challenges it is confronted with in the fate-determining battle imposed upon it.

RESOLUTION NO. 8/30-IBO 

ON THE 

COMMITMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRINCIPLES

AND PROVISIONS OF THE ISLAMIC BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

 At its 30 ^th Conference, held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awal 1424H (28 – 30 May, 2003), the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), adopted the resolution entitled Commitment to the Implementation of the principles and provisions of the Islamic Boycott of Israel. The text of the resolution is reproduced below:

  The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers,

 Proceeding from the Principles and Objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,

 Affirming the principle of strengthening Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their blessed Intifada (uprising), recognizing their cause as the foremost of all Islamic causes,

 Recognizing that the boycott of Israel is an effective and legitimate method and a national sovereign right exercised by Islamic countries against Israel to project their national interests and defend just Islamic causes,

  Bearing in mind the constructive cooperation and continuous coordination between the Arab and Islamic boycott offices,

 Recalling resolution 5/16-adopted by the 16^th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held at Fez, Kingdom of Morocco from 6 to 10 January 1986, which inter alia adopted the unified Islamic code for the boycott of Israel together with the general principles of the boycott,

  Pursuant to all relevant Islamic resolutions, particularly resolution 65/29 adopted by the 29^th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Khartoum from 25 to 27 June 2002,

1.  Invites Member States to commit themselves to the implementation of the provisions of the Islamic boycott of Israel; to regard as part of their national laws in force legislations, statues and by-laws of the boycott action (The General Principles of Boycott, the Islamic Code the International Regulations of Regional Offices and their regular meeting);

2.  Invites Member States who have yet to establish regional offices of Islamic boycott in their countries to do so; and to appoint for those offices directors to be designated as liaison officers who shall liaise with the head office of the Islamic boycott at the General Secretariat;

3.  Emphasizes on boycott offices in Arab countries as de jure Sub Islamic Offices and their directors as liaising officers lasing with the principal Islamic boycott office ;

4.  Decides the continuation of holding regular conferences of liaisons officers on Israeli boycott affairs in Islamic countries to be convened by the Islamic boycott office at the General Secretariats of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

5.  Commends the existing cooperation between the Arab and Islamic boycott offices with a view to achieving the utmost effectiveness of the provisions of the boycott of Israel in Islamic countries;

6.  Approves the recommendations issued from the meeting of the officials in charge of the Boycott of Israel in Islamic States which was held at the OIC General Secretariat’s headquarters in Jeddah on 15 and 16 March 2003.

7.   Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and report thereon to the next session.

Annex IV

Resolutions on political affairs

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 18/30-P 

ON 

THE SECURITY AND SOLIDARITY OF ISLAMIC STATES

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28 to 30 May, 2003),

   Recalling the purposes and principles of the UN Charter;

 Recalling also the resolve of Member States expressed in accordance with the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference to unite their efforts in order to secure universal peace which ensures security, freedom and justice for their people and all peoples throughout the world;

 Mindful of the objectives and principles enshrined in the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, especially the objectives of promoting Islamic solidarity among Member States and strengthening their capacity to safeguard their security, sovereignty, independence and national rights;

 Stressing the right of Member States, individually and collectively to maintain their national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity;

 Recalling all previous resolutions adopted by the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers on this subject;

 Recalling also resolution 44/51 of the UN General Assembly entitled "Protection and Security of Small States" adopted by the 44th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1989;

 Reaffirming the importance of the establishment of peace and security in the Islamic world and the consolidation of the climate of mutual confidence, cooperation and solidarity between the Islamic countries;

 Reaffirming also the right of member States to preserve their national security, political independence and territorial integrity and unity as well as their inherent right of self-defense in accordance with Article (51) of the UN Charter;

 Taking into account the rapid and profound changes taking place in the system of international relations and their impact on different regions and states throughout the world and particularly across the Islamic world;

 Expressing its deep concern at the continued occupation of Palestine, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and of the other Arab territories and the continued denial of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people which constitutes a serious threat to the security of Islamic States and the world peace;

 Also expressing its deep concern at the threats to the security of Member States and the increased number of crises and conflicts affecting Islamic countries and peoples as well as at the threats and challenges to the solidarity of the Islamic Ummah in all spheres of life and reaffirming the necessity to safeguard the Islamic values and identity;

 Recalling the provisions of the Dakar and Tehran Declarations adopted by the Sixth and Eighth Sessions of the Islamic Summit Conference which affirms the resolve of Member States to contribute actively towards the establishment of a New International Order based on peace, justice and equality and respect for international legality and capable of guaranteeing progress for all;

  Determined to vigorously oppose foreign domination, threat, aggression and alien occupation, which result in the limitation of the freedom of member States to determine their own political systems and pursue economic, social and cultural development without any coercion, intimidation and pressure from outside;

 Emphasizing the absolute right of each Member State to preserve its natural resources and to use them for the benefit, welfare and progress of its people;

  Taking note of the Report of the Secretary General on the Security and Solidarity of Islamic States (Document No. ICFM/30-2003/POL/SG-REP.20);

1.   Reiterates that the security of each Muslim country is the concern of all Islamic countries.

2.  Reaffirms further the determination of Member States to encourage the initiatives aimed at building confidence and security at the bilateral and multilateral or sub-regional and regional levels in conformity with the provisions and principles contained in the Dakar Declaration wherever and whenever appropriate ;

3.  Recognizes that small states are particularly vulnerable to external threats and acts of interference in their internal affairs.

4.   Expresses its firm determination to strengthen security of Member States, through cooperation and solidarity among Islamic countries, in accordance with the objectives and principles of the Charters of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and of the United Nations and as stipulated in the Dakar Declaration.

5.   Reaffirms the permanent and full sovereignty of the Islamic countries and peoples over their natural resources and economic activities.

6.  Expresses the firm determination of the Member States to preserve and promote Islamic values in all spheres of life especially those of solidarity and mutual respect ;

7.  Rejects categorically the so-called right for humanitarian intervention whatever its origin and form, as it is against the provisions of the UN Charter as well as international law.

8.  Reaffirms the need for respect of the principles of international law concerning the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of States, non-use of force or threat of use of force in international relations, peaceful settlement of disputes and non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of States as essential prerequisites for the security of Islamic States.

9.  Appreciates the intensive work done by the Inter-governmental Expert Group on security and solidarity among Islamic States and calls on Group to continue to follow up developments in this regard and also calls on the Member States to effectively participate in the work of the Group.

10.   Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 28/30-P 

ON 

THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION AND STEPS TAKEN FOR GENERAL AND COMPLETE DISARMAMENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SECURITY OF ISLAMIC STATES

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28 to 30 May, 2003),

 Guided by the objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference which call for the consolidation of international peace and security on the basis of justice, and reaffirming its commitment to the purposes of the United Nations Charter in safeguarding international peace and security;

 Noting that the current international situation requires that the principles of disarmament as contained in the United Nations Charter become a fundamental element in any collective effort designed to bring about a truly secure world and protect mankind from the threat of weapons of mass-destruction, particularly nuclear weapons;

 Noting with concern the lack of progress in the General and Complete disarmament;

 Affirming that in efforts towards the objective of general and complete disarmament, global and regional approaches complement each other.

 Concerned about the continuous erosion of multilateralism in disarmament.

 Taking note of the Report of the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Durban, South Africa in April 2002;

 Taking note of the report of the Secretary General in this respect (Document No. ICFM/30-2003/POL/SG-REP.26);

1.  Calls for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons with a view to creating a world free from such weapons and for the intensification of efforts towards that end aimed at finding a solution to disarmament issues as a whole, particularly the elimination of nuclear weapons.

2.  Urges the Conference on Disarmament which is the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body to commence negotiations as early as possible according to the plan of action of the Final Document of the Tenth UN General Assembly Special Session on the full range of disarmament issues especially nuclear disarmament.

3.  Calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to intensify its efforts toward reaching consensus on its work program, particularly the establishment of subsidiary bodies for negotiations on Nuclear Disarmament, Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, Banning Production of Fissile Material for Nuclear Weapons and Effective international arrangements to ensure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

4.  Requests the Member States to intensify their efforts at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva for the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee for drawing up a time-table for the phasing out of nuclear weapons with a view to their total elimination.

5.  Affirms the inalienable right of States to develop peaceful nuclear programs for their economic and social development and to have access to the necessary material , equipment, technology and information for those programs in accordance with the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

6.   Considering that in the Middle East all States except Israel are parties to the NPT, urges that Israel should accede to the NPT and the CTBT without delay and calls upon the Nuclear weapon states and calls upon the nuclear weapons states to implement their obligations, including “an unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States parties are committed under Article VI”, during the 2000 Review Conference, to which they have committed themselves in the decision, declaration and resolution adopted by the Conference on the Review and Extension of the Non-Proliferation Treaty held in New York during the months of April and May 1995, as well as the resolution adopted by that Conference on the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East as well as paras 1-9 of the Final Communique adopted by 2000 NPT Review Conference on 19 May 2000, in New York.

7.  Affirms the importance of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and hence strict observance of its objectives and provisions pending its entry into force.

8.  Calls upon the UN Security Council, in the framework of the establishment of a Zone free from all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, to implement Security Council Resolution No. 487 (1981) and para 14 of Security Council Resolution No. 687 (1991) and the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions to speed up the establishment of this Zone through the elimination of the Israeli nuclear weapons, potential which endanger the peace and security in the Middle East.

9.  Expresses its concern over the ongoing nuclear cooperation between the United States and Israel which could assist the latter to pursue its clandestine nuclear programmes and weapon activities threatening the international peace and security particularly in the Middle East.

10.  Welcomes the initiatives of OIC Member States for the establishment of a Zone free from all weapons of mass destruction, notably nuclear weapons in the Middle East, within the framework of the United Nations, and calls for an early establishment of such a Zone. In this context, it notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by these States concerning the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

11.   Welcomes the Convention on the establishment of a nuclear weapon free zone in Africa which was signed in Cairo on 11 April, 1996 and the establishment of a South East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) that was signed on 15 December 1995.

12.  Calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to intensify its efforts to come to an early agreement on concluding an international legally binding convention providing non-nuclear-weapon States with credible assurances against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons and calls upon the Member States to coordinate their efforts at the Conference on this issue

13.  Notes that the issue of fissile materials can be addressed effectively and in a non-discriminatory manner only through multilateral negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament, as envisaged under the relevant United Nations General Assembly Resolutions.

14.  Calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to commence substantive work as soon as possible on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space.

15.   Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 29/30-P 

ON 

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPON FREE ZONES

IN AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, CENTRAL ASIA

AND SOUTH EAST ASIA

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28 to 30 May, 2003),

 Recalling that the establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones in various regions of the world is one of the measures which can most effectively guarantee the non- proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as contribute to the total elimination of nuclear weapons and achievement of general and complete disarmament;

 Convinced that the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon Free-Zones in various regions will serve to protect the States of such regions against the threat or use of Nuclear Weapons and reaffirming the calls upon all States, particularly nuclear weapon States to demand Israel to cease its clandestine nuclear activities and to shut down its nuclear reactors, especially the Dimona Nuclear Reactor given the highly disturbing news on the increase of nuclear radiation leakage which may lead to an environmental disaster in the Middle East, in addition to nuclear threats it represents;

 Expressing deep concern at the report of the UN Secretariat to the 2000 NPT Review Conference on implementing the resolution of the 1995 Review Conference of NPT on the Middle East which states that all States of the region, with the exception of Israel, are parties to the NPT.

 Underlining that the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference reaffirmed the importance of Israel’s accession to the NPT and the placement of its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards, in realizing the goal of universal adherence to the treaty in the Middle East.

 Taking into consideration the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Conference of the States parties to the Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty on the Review and Extension of the Treaty as well as the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference;

 Also recalling all the resolutions adopted by various Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers, including Resolution 22/8-P(IS) adopted by the Eighth Summit of the OIC Conference and resolution 38/29-P adopted by the Twenty-eighth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, and on the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones in Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Central Asia;

 Bearing in mind all the resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Organization of African Unity in this respect, and recalling in particular the Declaration on Denuclearization of Africa adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its First Ordinary Session held in Cairo from 17 to 21 July 1964 on the necessity for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa;

  Warning at the serious consequences arising from the fact that all states of the Middle East have become parties to the Non-proliferation treaty except Israel that has not joined the Treaty, has not placed its nuclear facilities under the IAEA comprehensive safeguard agreements and has not declared its intention to do so, and has continued its clandestine nuclear programmes and weapon activities;

 Recalling as well, all relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on this subject particularly Resolutions, 57/55, 56/17, 51/53 and 55/33 on the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia and Central Asia respectively;

 Noting the successful conclusion of the signing ceremony of the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zones Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) that was held at Cairo on 11 April 1996;

 Welcoming the proposals made by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan aimed at achieving nuclear and missile restraint in South Asia;

 Taking into consideration the initiative mooted by the Syrian Arab Republic at the Security Council in favour of making the Middle East region a zone free of all weapons of mass-destruction;

 Convinced that the non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons cannot be achieved in the absence of progress towards universal nuclear disarmament;

 Recalling the paragraphs specific to disarmament in the Final Document of the Thirteenth Conference of the Heads of State of Government of the NAM held in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia, in February 2003, as well as the final document of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, Cartagena, Colombia, April 2000, and Durban 2002; 

 Taking note of the Report of the Secretary General in this respect (Document No. ICFM/30-2003/POL/SG-REP.26).

1.  Urges all States, especially nuclear weapon States to exert pressure on Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and calls on the international community and the Security Council to compel Israel to comply with the relevant U.N. Resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 487(1981), to immediately implement the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calling for the subjection of all Israeli atomic facilities to the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards System and to implement the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference as well as paras 1-9 of the resolution adopted by 2000 NPT Review Conference.

2.  Reaffirms the determination of Member States to take measures to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation on a non-discriminatory and universal basis and urges all States, particularly nuclear weapon states to demand Israel to cease its clandestine nuclear activities and to shut down its nuclear reactor especially the Dimona Nuclear Reactor given the highly disturbing news on the increasing possibility of nuclear radiation leakage out of it, which may lead to an environmental disaster in the Middle East.

3.  Condemns Israel for not implementing the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 NPT Extension and Review Conference and reaffirmed by the 2000 NPT Review Conference and calls on the United Nations, the Permanent Members of the Security Council and the international community to take the necessary measures to avert the Israeli nuclear threat endangering the peoples of the region, which constitutes a serious violation of the UN objectives, particularly Article 51 of the Charter.

4.  Calls for the total and complete prohibition of transfer of all nuclear related equipment, information, material and facilities, resources or devices and extension of assistance in the nuclear related scientific or technological fields to Israel. In this regard, they express their serious concern over the continuing development where by Israeli scientists are provided access to the nuclear facilities of one nuclear weapon state. This development will have potentially serious negative implications on the regional security as well as the reliability of the global non-proliferation regime.

5.   Takes note of the initiative introduced by the Syrian Arab Republic at the UN Security Council in the month of Safar 1424H (April 2003) in favour of making the Middle East region a zone free of all weapons of mass-destruction particularly nuclear ones.

6.  Calls for a speedy implementation of Para 14 of Security Council Resolution No. 687 (1991) and Resolution No. 487 (1981) and the relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions concerning the establishment of zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

7.  Requests the Security Council to obtain Israel's renunciation of nuclear weapons, and a full report on its stockpile and ammunition for the consideration of the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency as those steps are essential for the establishment of a zone free from nuclear weapon and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East region, and are fundamental factor for a just and comprehensive peace in the region and calls upon Member States to strive to include again the item “Israeli nuclear capabilities and its dangers” on the agenda of the forthcoming General Conference of the IAEA.

8.  Considers that the establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia constitute one of the important elements for the strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation.

9.  Calls on nuclear weapon States to engage constructively through a transparent and credible process of negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament with the view to establishing within its programme of work a subsidiary body on nuclear disarmament.

10.  Requests all Member States to keep up and further coordinate their positions at the United Nations and other relevant international fora to promote the establishment of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones in the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and Central Asia.

11.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the developments in this regard and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 30/30-P 

ON 

THE STRENGTHENING OF THE SECURITY OF NON-NUCLEAR WEAPON STATES AGAINST THE USE OR THREAT OF USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers(Session of Unity and Dignity), held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28 to 30 May, 2003),

 Deeply concerned over the existence of significant nuclear arsenals in the world which increase the possibility of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons;

 Taking into consideration that it is imperative for the international community to develop effective measures to ensure the security of non-nuclear weapon states against the threat or use of nuclear weapons, whatever their origin;

 Recalling the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 8 July 1996 on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons in which it expresses that threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the Rules of international law applicable in armed conflict and in particular the principles and rules of Humanitarian Law;

 Underlining once again the unanimous conclusion of the International Court of Justice that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control;

 Recognizing that effective measures to protect non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons may positively contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and strengthen international peace and security;

 Deeply concerned over Israel’s arsenal of nuclear weapons and its threats and practices aimed at destroying the peaceful and defense capabilities of OIC Member States;

 Also deeply concerned about the Israeli threat of armed attack against peaceful nuclear installations of the OIC Member States;

 Deeply convinced that the most effective assurance for non-Nuclear States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is the total elimination of all nuclear weapons;

 Recalling the declaration and commitment therein made by nuclear-weapons-states to provide security assurances to non-nuclear weapons states in accordance with their obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and other instruments;

 Noting that nuclear weapons states have failed to provide credible assurances to non-nuclear weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons;

 Recalling all relevant resolutions adopted by the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers, including Resolution 39/29-P of the 28th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

 Recalling also the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly as well as those issued by the Non-Aligned Movement on the need for assurances by nuclear powers to non-nuclear weapon states to the effect that they shall not resort to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against them;

 Noting the unanimous adoption of Resolution No. 984 by the Security Council on 11 April, 1995 as well as the Declaration issued by the nuclear weapon States on positive and negative security assurances for the non-nuclear weapon States which are still inadequate to assure the non-Nuclear States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons;

 Noting also the adoption of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on 10 September, 1996;

  Expressing deep concern over the threat of use or use of nuclear weapons in general and against the OIC Member States in particular;

 Also expressing deep concern over the recent nuclear posture review by a certain nuclear weapon state in which some Member States are threatened to be targets of special types of nuclear weapons;

1.  Reiterates that the provisions for the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against Non-Nuclear Weapon States is in contravention of the negative security assurances that have been provided by the Nuclear Weapon States. The development of new types of nuclear weapons is in contravention with the assurances provided by the Nuclear Weapons States at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which would prevent the improvement of existing nuclear weapons and development of new types of nuclear weapons.

2.  Calls upon all States, including those Members of the Conference on Disarmament, particularly the nuclear weapon States, to work urgently towards a legally binding agreement on an international convention to assure unconditionally non-nuclear weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons and to explore all additional means to provide effective assurances to Non-Nuclear Weapon States in the global or regional context. Pending the conclusion or such legally binding agreement, the nuclear weapon states should fully observe their existing obligations.

3.  Recommends that the Islamic States make every effort at all international fora with a view to promoting the above-mentioned objectives aimed at strengthening the security of non-nuclear weapon States against the threat of use or use of nuclear weapons.

4.  Urges the Conference on Disarmament to give specific priority among all issues on its agenda, to the early commencement of negotiations on nuclear disarmament.

5.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the developments in this respect and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

/…

Annex VI

Resolutions on economic affairs

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 9/30-E 

ON 

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, OF THE SYRIAN CITIZENS IN THE OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN HEIGHTS AND OF THE LEBANESE CITIZENS IN OCCUPIED SOUTH LEBANON AND THE WESTERN BEKAA FORMERLY UNDER OCCUPATION

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27-29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling Resolution No. 9/9-E (IS) adopted by the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Recalling also Resolution No. 9/29-E adopted by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

 Believing in the objectives and principles of the OIC Charter aimed at strengthening Islamic solidarity among the Member States, and conforming with mass international will that rejects arbitrary Israeli practices in the occupied Arab territory which lead to deterioration of the economic and social conditions of Arab citizens under the yoke of Israeli occupation, on the one hand, and that supports the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region based on the (Land-for-Peace principle) UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 425, 1397, 1402 and 1403 as well as the authority of the Madrid Peace Conference, on the other;

 Underlining the unfailing efforts exerted by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to promote the economic structure; and to renovate what was destroyed by the Israeli aggression and in view of the escalation of the illegal and unlawful expansionist settlement policies of the Israeli government, in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Syrian Golan; and also in view of the serious implications of this escalation on the existing difficult economic and humanitarian conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory and the Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan;

 Expressing extreme concern over the grave economic impacts, resulting from the expansionist settlement policy of the Israeli government, on the difficult living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory and those of the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan as well as the Arab people in the occupied Arab territory;

 Appreciating with profound interest the role which the Palestine Liberation Organization and its National Authority (PNA) are playing in all territories under the PNA including the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the improvement of the Palestinian people's living conditions and the overhauling of their national economy which has been destroyed by the Israeli aggression;

 Expressing deep concern over the danger of Israel's continued occupation of the Syrian Golan, part of South Lebanon which are suffering huge economic and material losses;

 Emphasizing the resolutions of the two recent Arab Summits in Amman and Beirut concerning this matter;

 Having considered the report of the Secretary General,

1.  Hails the efforts made by the Palestinian National Authority to rebuild Palestinian facilities, infrastructure and properties already destroyed and those being destroyed by the Israeli occupation authorities. It commends the strenuous efforts exerted by the Palestinian Authority to rebuild and strengthen Palestinian national economy.

2.  Invites all concerned bodies to expedite the extension of the envisaged necessary assistance to help the Palestinian people to establish their national economy, consolidation of their national institutions and to enable them to establish their independent State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

3.   Reaffirms the earlier OIC resolutions in favour of the extension of all forms of economic, technical, material and moral support and assistance to the Palestinian people, preferential treatment for Palestinian export products, granting them exemptions from taxes and tariffs and permitting Palestinian manpower to work in the Member States for specific periods thus helping to improve their material conditions and contributing to their return and their steadfastness on their land.

4.  Urges Member States to set up people’s committees to collect donations to support the Intifada and provide urgent assistance to the Palestinian people in this emergency situation.

5.  Strongly condemns the closure and blockade imposed on corridors, and on the Palestinian towns and villages, which have resulted in heavy losses and serious damage to the social and economic life of the Palestinian people, and are detrimental to the Palestinian economy; and calls upon the international community to force Israel to end the closure and lift the blockade imposed on the Palestinian territories.

6.   Strongly condemns the acts of demolition and destruction of Palestinian homes, institutions, facilities and lands, the uprooting and burning of fruitful trees and plants, and the bulldozing of the soil, which are perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army and settlers and which have resulted in severe losses for the Palestinian economy; and calls upon the international community to force Israel to put an end to these criminal acts and to pay reparations for these damages also strongly condemns Israel for its erection of the Apartheid Wall which eats up into the Palestinian lands, isolates scores of villages, and prevents their population from exploiting their land in addition to the crimes perpetrated by the settlers, the fences built by them, and their preventing Palestinians from harvesting their crops.

7.  Calls upon the international community to intervene to force Israel to release the Palestinian funds being held up by it and estimated at millions of dollars accruing from taxes and tariffs due to the Palestinian authority and levied by the Israeli government.

8.  Calls the Member States to continue to make generous contributions to the Al-Quds Fund, the Al-Quds Waqf and Beit al-Mal of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, particularly in the light of the current conditions in the occupied territories where the infrastructure is being systematically destroyed .

9.  Calls for the necessity of implementing the draft resolutions of the UN General Assembly on the economic assistance extended to the Palestinian people as well as the draft resolutions of other international organizations and relevant specialized agencies. It also calls for united efforts on the part of the Member States in their support of the Palestinian cause during the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

10.  Urges the private sector and investors of the Member States to undertake the execution of the economic, industrial, agricultural and housing programmes in the territories of the Palestinian National Authority with a view to supporting and strengthening the Palestinian national economy.

11.   Appreciating the efforts of IDB and ICCI and calls upon the Member States and OIC affiliated and subsidiary organs to provide means of technical and financial assistance to the Federation of Palestinian Chambers and the local Palestinian Chambers to carry out their activities effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, they should stand by them and reaffirm their support in facing the aggressive atrocities perpetrated on the Palestinian people.

12.   Condemns Israel's continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the escalation of its arbitrary practices against the Palestinian people in all of the occupied towns and villages, and building an expansionist infrastructure by establishing more settlements and calls for halting these practices.

13.  Condemns Israel for its continued occupation of the Syrian Golan and parts of South Lebanon, including the Shebaa farms and the arbitrary Israeli practices which have led to the degradation of the social and economic situation of the Syrian and Lebanese populations suffering under the yoke of Israeli occupation.

14.  Expresses extreme concern about the serious economic implications resulting from a new series of expansionist settlement policies by the Israeli government on the existing difficult living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian territories as well as those of the Syrian citizens in the Occupied Syrian Golan and the Arab people in the other Occupied Arab territories.

15.  Urges the OIC Member States to carry all necessary actions at the international level to exert pressure on Israel to desist from resorting to imposition of the brutal blockades on the occupied Palestinian territory, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif which result in extremely painful economic effects on the Palestinian people and raise the level of unemployment among the Palestinians. It also hampers international efforts aimed at realizing development in the occupied Palestinian territory and the territory of the Palestinian National Authority.

16.  Calls on Member States and the international community to compel Israel to pay the Government of Lebanon reparations for the plight of the Lebanese citizens in Southern Lebanon and the Western Beqaa who suffered Israeli aggressions throughout the occupation that has induced substantial losses and social complications and caused a quasi-permanent paralysis of economic activities in the region.

17.  Calls on Member States and the international community to extend necessary assistance to the Lebanese citizens in South Lebanon and the Western Beqaa who have been constantly and every day the targets of Israeli aggression throughout the occupation period, thus entailing huge material losses and social hardships leading to a quasi permanent paralysis of the economic activities in the area.

18.  Calls also on the Member States to coordinate their efforts regarding the implementation of the resolutions on the subject.

19.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 13/30-E 

ON 

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC
OF LEBANON

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27-29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling Resolution No. 13/9-E (IS) adopted by the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Also recalling Resolution No. 13/29-E adopted by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

 Further recalling Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, and the resulting losses of life and property, and their consequences on political and economic conditions in Lebanon;

 Appreciating the efforts exerted by the Government of Lebanon to achieve stability and security, establish its authority, reconstruct its country, and provide for the needs of citizens in the territories previously under Israeli occupation;

 Taking into account the difficulties faced by the Lebanese citizens in the territories previously occupied by Israel, and in the neighbouring areas;

  Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the subject;

1.  Expresses its appreciation for the donation made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced at the Donors Conference (Paris 2) of the amount of US$700 million in the form of securities and of purchasing government bonds.

2.   Expresses also its appreciation of the assistance extended by some Member States and by the relevant organs of the OIC.

3.  Condemns Israeli acts of aggression against public facilities and infrastructures in Lebanon, aimed at obstructing the efforts of reconstruction made by the government of Lebanon. It also condemns the continued Israeli unwillingness to withdraw from parts of the territory of Lebanon, including the Shab’a farms, to the line of the internationally recognized borders of Lebanon.

4.  Condemns Israel for refusing to hand over maps of landmines, which it planted in various regions of the south and the western Bekaa and which constitute a grave danger to the lives of civilians. Condemns also Israel for detaining Lebanese detainees in its prisons.

5.  Reaffirms its previous Resolutions on the need to provide various forms of financial, material, and humanitarian aid to Lebanon to meet its economic, technical and training needs, and reiterates the appeal to OIC Member States and to international and regional bodies to contribute urgently and effectively to the reconstruction of what was destroyed by Israeli occupation, and to respond positively to the call for a conference of donor states for that purpose.

6.  Calls on Member States to grant exceptional facilities to Lebanese products to permit them unhindered access to their markets in support of the Lebanese economy, the mainstay of Lebanese steadfastness and resistance to Israeli aggression.

7.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 25/30-E 

ON 

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE OF PALESTINE

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27-29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling Resolution No. 25/9-E (IS) adopted by the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Recalling also Resolution of the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference as well as resolutions of the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th,^, 28th and 29th Sessions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers;

 Noting with great interest the efforts by the Palestinian National Authority in the Self Rule regions of Gaza Strip and West Bank to improve the living conditions of the Palestinian people and to reconstruct the Palestinian national economy;

  Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the issue;

1.   Expresses its deep appreciation for the assistance extended to the Palestinian people and Authority by some Member States and relevant bodies of the OIC.

2.  Commends the substantial assistance and contributions extended by the people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the generosity of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his support of 1,000 families of the martyrs of the Palestinian intifada and notes that Saudi Arabia has paid up all its installments until May 2003 to support the Palestinian Authority in conformity with the Arab League resolution addressed to all Arab countries in support of the Palestinian Authority.

3.  Commends also contributions extended to the Palestinian people by other Member States, and calls upon all Member States to continue their support and assistance for their Palestinian brothers to enable them face the difficult conditions they are passing through due to continuous Israeli aggression.

4.   Commends the efforts of the Palestinian National Authority in the Palestinian Self Rule regions to reconstruct what has been destroyed during three consecutive years of Israeli aggression, and calls upon the international community, and monetary and economic institutions to come to the aid of the Palestinian people and assist them to rebuild the destruction caused by the Israeli occupation.

5.  Calls upon Member States and relevant bodies of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to extend, as a matter of urgency, the assistance required by the Palestinian National Authority and people to build their national economy and support their national institutions.

6.  Reaffirms the previous resolutions aimed at extending all forms of moral, material, technical and economic support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian National Authority; and at giving preference to importation of Palestinian products and exempting them from taxes and custom duties.

7.  Urges business men and investors in Member States to contribute in executing economic, industrial, agricultural and housing projects n the Palestinian self-rule territories in order to build the Palestinian national economy and to support the Palestinian National and institutions in the implementation of the coming phases of their development programmes I the economic, social and health fields.

8.  Urges Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, in view of the obstacles placed by Israel, to facilitate employment opportunities for the Palestinian labour force, in order to enhance the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people and to eradicate unemployment.

9.   Also urges the Member States to conclude bilateral agreements with the Palestinian National Authority in the economic, commercial and social fields in order to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people in their homeland, and expresses its deep appreciation for the assistance extended to the Palestinian people by some Member States to build their national economy in the self rule regions of West Bank and Gaza Strip.

10.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

/…

Annex VII

    Resolutions on cultural and social affairs

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 13/30-C

ON

CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION IN THE
ISLAMIC WORLD

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other Islamic Conferences, in particular the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Recalling in particular the principles stipulated in the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam as adopted by the 19^th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers under Res. 49/19-P(1990) and in the Declaration on Child Rights and Protection in Islam as adopted by the Seventh Islamic Summit Conference under Res. 16/7-C(IS) (1994).

  Bearing in mind the Declaration issued by the World Summit on the Child and the Plan of Action which called for the preparation of national programmes for children, the equal treatment of male and female children and the provision of equal opportunities.

 Recognizing that millions of children in the Islamic countries die as a result of diseases from which they may be protected or because of malnutrition; and that other millions suffer from the same circumstances because of famines, drought and armed conflicts.

 Expressing its deep concern over the executions faced by the Palestinian children in terms of killings, physical maiming, oppression and psychological destruction at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces and settlers, not to mention the obstruction of their education and health care, through the external and internal blockades and sieges of towns.

 Also expressing grave concern about the devastating consequences Iraqi children suffer as a result of the sanctions imposed on Iraq.

 Underlining the basic role of the family in the guidance and moral and material education of children.

 Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the matter;

1.  Urges the Member States to place the issue of the Palestinian children’s care and protection high on the priority list commanding attention to what they are facing in terms of deliberate killings, maimings, repression and psychological destruction at the hands of the occupation forces and Jewish settlers, not to mention the obstruction of their education and health care through internal and external blockades and sieges of towns and villages and the cutting off of the roads that lead to schools and hospitals.

2.  Calls on the Member States, in their consideration of the measures relevant to conflict prevention, management and settlement, to take all necessary measures to prevent any further armed conflicts and to provide particular care for the needs of children and women who are the main victims of such conflicts, and particularly to encourage periods of truce during conflicts, as well as safe passages such as to allow the channeling of food supplies and vaccinations and health care services, and to ban the production, storage, import, export and use of landmines. The Conference also urges the member States that planted such landmines, to assume their removal or at least to extend technical and financial assistance for the clearing of existing mine-fields whose victims in fact are more often than not among women, children and other civilians, and whose devastating effects extend far beyond the conflict period.

3.  Urges Member States to work with the assistance of the international community to improve the conditions of children, particularly those living under difficult conditions in conflict-ridden regions and those suffering from the effects of economic blockades and sanctions imposed on their countries, as well as displaced children refugees, by providing for their physical and moral needs and by taking interest in their education and helping them to return to normal lives, and commends the efforts expended by a number of Islamic countries in this direction.

4.  Calls for the convening of the First Ministerial Conference on the Child and Social Affairs, during the year 2004, and commissions the Secretary General and the Director General of ISESCO to make necessary consultations with the Member States in this connection, particularly those which have outstanding expertise in this field It also charges ISESCO to organize this Conference in conjunction with the General Secretariat.

5.  Calls on Member States to continue to strive for guaranteeing the human rights of children of both sexes, as they constitute the best means to achieve social justice. Also calls for the organization of a sensitizing campaign on issues of interest to them and with a view to integrating them in the national curricula of Member States in accordance with their conditions.

6.  Requests Member States to take the necessary measures to protect children from the dangers resulting from harmful mass media programmes and to support programmes which lead to the promotion of the cultural, moral and ethical values of children.

7.  Also requests Member States, in order to ensure the safety of the paid working children and their morals, to forbid any form of dangerous employment and to assist them to enjoy social security benefits.

8.  Requests the Secretary General to study the conditions of the schools of Muslim minorities living in non-Islamic countries in coordination with the government concerned and to submit to the next ICFM a report on the possible means to increase their numbers and to rationalize their management after receiving the views of Member States thereon.

9.  Takes note of the meeting held by the General Secretariat on formulating a Covenant for Child in Islam based on authentic Sharia sources; it also takes note of steps achieved in this respect.

10.  Commends the role played by UNICEF since its establishment for the survival, protection and development of children worldwide, particularly in the developing countries; and especially the ongoing cooperation between the OIC and the UNICEF relating to the child care and protection in the OIC countries.

11.   Invites Member States to combat child trafficking through awareness raising, capacity building of law enforcing agencies and setting up rescue and rehabilitation centers for the victims.

12.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 29/30-C (PAL)

ON

THE TWINNING OF PALESTINIAN UNIVERSITIES IN
THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES WITH UNIVERSITIES IN
OIC MEMBER STATES 

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other Islamic Conferences, in particular the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Having considered the report of the Secretary General on the matter;

1.  Calls on the Member States to allocate scholarships for the Palestinian students injured in Al-Quds Al-Sharif Intifada and the other students who are members of families of the Intifada martyrs. It calls on the Universities of the Member States to allocate scholarships in the names of child martyrs of the Intifada, and to name one of those scholarships as Mohammad Al-Durra Scholarship.

2.   Recommends the necessity of strengthening Islamic solidarity with the people and students of Palestine through establishing twining relations between universities in OIC Member States and Palestinian universities in the Occupied Territories to enable the latter to overcome their difficulties, confront Israeli designs aimed at impeding their functioning, fulfill their educational mission in the best manner and contribute to the reinforcement of the Palestinian national authority.

3.  Recommends also to extend every kind of financial and academic support and assistance to Palestinian universities so that they may be able to play their national and educational role, and support in particular the Open University of Al-Quds in view of its importance of supporting the steadfastness of its people and preserving the Arab and Islamic heritage of the Holy City.

4.   Calls upon Member States to see to it that their universities receive delegations of trainees and academics from the Palestinian Universities in order to offer them work.

5.  Calls upon the Member States to contribute towards qualifying Palestinian youth in their Universities and exchanging educational delegations with the Palestinian Universities in various academic fields, so as to assist the Palestinian Universities in performing their tasks within the framework of overall reconstruction by the Palestinian National Authority and lessen the material and academic difficulties which may emerge.

6.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 30/30-C (PAL)

ON

THE TEACHING OF THE SUBJECT OF THE HISTORY
AND GEOGRAPHY OF PALESTINE 

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other Islamic Conferences, in particular the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Having considered the message addressed by the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Committee for Education, Culture and Science to ISESCO in this regard;

  Having considered also the report of the Secretary General on the matter:

1.  Calls on the General Secretariat and the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) to follow up the printing and communicating the curricula to the Member States in implementation of relevant Islamic Draft RESOLUTION NO.s.

2.  Urges the competent authorities in the Palestinian National Authority to expeditiously produce the new curricula for the teaching of the history and geography of Palestine.

3.  Calls upon Ministries of Education and all educational organisations and institutions in Member States to contribute effectively to the teaching of the subject of the History and Geography of Palestine approved for the three levels of education so as to inform the young generations of Muslims about the land of Palestine as well as its identity and history and the rights of its Muslim Arab people, and safeguard the Islamic and historic heritage of Palestine, particularly in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

4.  Appeals to the Member States and the IDB to contribute to financing the printing of the approved curricula in the three OIC languages as well as in the national languages of non-Arabic-speaking States.

5.  Recommends to ISESCO to supervise the publication of the curricula and Requests it to distribute them to Member States.

6.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 31/30-C (PAL)

ON

THE EDUCATIONAL SITUATION IN THE
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AND
OCCUPIED SYRIAN GOLAN

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other Islamic Conferences, in particular the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

  Taking into consideration the policy and practices of the Israeli occupation authorities towards the Arab citizens in the occupied Arab territories, aimed primarily at the eradication of their cultural identity, along with Israeli attempts to wipe out and disintegrate their national and Arab identity at all levels, the Israeli policy of systematic stamping out of education aimed at creating a poorly educated generation ignorant of its history, culture, nation and Ummah, the Israeli practice of a policy geared towards maligning Arab and Islamic civilization and causing prejudice to Arabs and Muslims, the Israeli abuse and distortion of historical and geographical facts, in addition to the continued Israeli policy of racial discrimination by claims of Israeli superiority over the citizens of the occupied Arab territories which constitute a blatant violation of their fundamental rights;

 Having considered the report submitted by the Secretary General on the subject;

1.  Condemns the measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities against the educational and cultural organizations and institutions in the Palestinian territories aimed at denying the Palestinians access to education, so as to obliterate their national identity and severe them from their culture and history, and distort their civilization to serve the designs of occupation.

2.  Appeals to Member States to support the efforts of the Palestine Liberation Organization aimed at promoting the educational process in the Palestinian territories under its National Authority during the transitional period, and to provide it with all technical and financial means to develop curricula for all educational levels.

3.  Calls upon Member States to promptly extend every kind of academic and financial assistance and support to the educational sector in the occupied Palestinian territories so that it may fulfill its mission in the reconstruction of the Palestinian national institutions and so that the educational institutions may contribute to the establishment of the Palestinian people's national authority on their homeland, and thus further enhance Islamic solidarity with the people of Palestine.

4.  Calls upon Member States to extend every necessary financial assistance to provide the funding required for the promotion of education in the occupied territories in general and in the City of AI-Quds Al-Sharif in particular, in view of the great difficulties faced by the educational process in the Holy City on account of the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities aimed at the judaization of the Holy City and at severing it from its Arab-Islamic environment.

5.  Reiterates its full support and assistance for the inhabitants of occupied Syrian Golan in their resistance against the oppressive Israeli practices, and their legitimate struggle to preserve their cultural, national and Arab identity, and appeals to the United Nations, to specialized international bodies and institutions and in particular to UNESCO, to counter those Israeli policies which violate international laws and conventions.

6.  Calls for support to the steadfastness of the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan against the Israeli practices aimed at obliterating their Arab cultural identity and proclaims its support for the maintenance of Syrian Arab educational curricula and the provision of educational and cultural material.

7.  Recommends to provide all kinds of financial and academic assistance and support to the Palestinian universities in implementation of the Draft RESOLUTION NO.s of successive Islamic Conferences, and to work for the establishment of a Centre of higher studies in the occupied Palestinian territories.

8.   Calls upon the international community to shoulder its full responsibility in forcing Israel to abide by the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and of all international conventions on human rights, particularly the Geneva Convention of 20.8.1949 on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War, as well as the relevant Draft RESOLUTION NO.s adopted by the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

9.  Invites Member States to extend the necessary facilities to Palestinian students to enable them to enroll in their universities and specialized institutes and thus help them complete their university studies and also stresses the need to increase the number of scholarships and seats for the Palestinian youth in the Islamic States, particularly in higher education, technical and technological and teacher training. It also expresses its appreciation to all Member States which have responded to this appeal, particularly the Government of Tunisia, which has gracefully allocated fifty scholarships to Palestinian students to study in various Tunisian universities and higher institutes as of academic year 2000/2001.

10.  Calls for extending support to the Open University of Al-Quds in view of its vital importance in strengthening the resistance of the Palestinian people and enabling them to continue their university education and also calls for extending the technical and financial assistance necessary for the development of the university and for solving its problems so that it may open new branches and thoroughly fulfill its educational mission.

11.   Expresses its high appreciation for the role played by Palestinian schools and universities in the preservation of the Palestinian culture and heritage and in confronting the measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities against the educational and cultural institutions and organizations in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories.

12.  Reaffirms the need to implement the RESOLUTION NO. addressed to the administrations of Islamic Universities to receive training and academic missions from the universities of the occupied territories to work in their universities for short periods.

13.  Condemns the practices and actions of the Israeli occupation authorities against educational and other institutions in the occupied Syrian Golan, their cancellation of the Syrian educational syllabus in the villages of the Golan and its substitution by an Israeli one, their imposition of the teaching of Hebrew instead of Arabic, their replacement of the teaching staff to serve the goals and directions of Israeli policy, their taking measures to deny Syrian Arab citizens access to higher education in Syrian universities and their denying some of those who manage to get education in those universities the right to return to their homes.

14.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 32/30-C (PAL)

ON THE

PRESERVATION OF THE ISLAMIC CHARACTER,
HUMAN HERITAGE AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF
AL-QUDS AL-SHARIF

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other Islamic Conferences, in particular the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, as well as the decision adopted by Al-Quds Committee;

 Condemning the aggressive actions perpetuated by Israel for the expansion of the borders of Al-Quds Al-Sharif Municipality, for the establishment of more settlements around it, and for annexation of the city;

 Having considered the report submitted by the Secretary General on the subject:

1.   Reiterates the necessity of implementing all previous Islamic Draft RESOLUTION NO.s on the preservation of the Islamic character and human heritage of Al-Quds.

2.  Calls for continued urgent and effective action at all Islamic and international levels with a view to forcing Israel to rescind its decision to annex the city of Al-Quds AlSharif, reaffirming the City's Arab-Islamic character and rejecting its annexation or judaization, pursuant to the relevant Draft RESOLUTION NO.s of international legality, and particularly UN Security Council Draft RESOLUTION NO.s No. 465 and 478; and exerting all efforts to put these two Draft RESOLUTION NO.s into effect in conformity with the Draft RESOLUTION NO.s of the United Nations and the international legality.

3.  Requests the General Secretariat to continue its coordination with international agencies and institutions and particularly with UNESCO to preserve the historic structure of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the ancient buildings surrounding Al-Quds Holy Enclosure and act to close the tunnel and stop the excavation works especially on the south and west of the Holy Enclosure and preclude the implementation of any designs aimed at destroying and removing the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.

4.  Recommends that an information symposium on the City of Al-Quds be organized specially at the present juncture, in order to show the imminent dangers to the City, and the need to safeguard the Islamic and Christian holy places and guarantee the freedom of religious rites for all believers.

5.  Urges the General Secretariat and Member States to provide material assistance to enable the Palestinian people to face Israeli challenges and schemes aimed at obliterating religious landmarks in the Holy City of Al- Quds, and reaffirms the need for extending all sorts of support and assistance to the Palestinian Arab residents of Al-Quds Al-Sharif to enable them to refurbish their houses, support their steadfastness and protect Islamic shrines in AlQuds Al-Sharif from demolition and waste.

6.  Calls on Member States, public institutions, and the private sector to extend the necessary assistance to the Baitulmal Quds Agency whose Director General was appointed and Casablanca headquarters donated by His Majesty, the late King Hassan II, may Allah have mercy on his soul. Recommends that the Director of Baitulmal Quds Agency shall visit the Islamic States in order to inform about the Agency and its objectives and to organize information campaigns in this respect, on the example of the visit he made to Cairo in October 1999.

7.   Condemns the aggressive and expansionist Zionist policies and particularly the policies seeking to establish further settlements and to transfer and resettle hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif – policies aimed at seriously altering the demographic and historic status of these territories by judaizing them, and may jeopardize the current peace process and constitute a flagrant violation of international laws and of relevant U.N. and Security Council Draft RESOLUTION NO.s.

8.  Condemns the decision of the Israeli Security Minister to allow Jews to pray in the Aqsa Mosque and urges all member states to endeavour at the level of all international fora in order to defeat that decision.

9.  Expresses its strong indignation over the recent desecration of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the new round of massacre of the Palestinians, resulting in martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinian people who have stood up against the acts of desecration of Islamic holy places.

10.   Expresses its high appreciation for ISESCO’s initiative of organizing an International Conference on the Protection of Islamic and Christian Sanctities in Palestine under the patronage of the King of Morocco in Rabat from 7 to 8 June 2002, adopts the final declaration of the Conference and the approved media and public relations action plan to inform the public on Al-Quds in Western capitals, and extends its thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his patronage of the Conference and for addressing a lofty message to the participants.

11.  Commends the strenuous efforts made by His Majesty the late King Hassan II, may Allah have mercy on his soul, in establishing the Baitulmal Quds Agency and enabling it to fulfill the Islamic mission of preserving the Islamic character of the city of Al-Quds. It also commends the fine efforts exerted in this regard by his successor, His Majesty King Mohamed VI.

12.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO. 33/30-C (PAL)

ON

THE ISRAELI AGGRESSIONS AGAINST

ISLAMIC SHRINES IN THE CITY OF AL-KHALIL (HEBRON)

AND OTHER PALESTINIAN CITIES

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran, 27-29 Rabea Al-Awal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and other relevant Islamic Conferences, in particular the 9^th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

 Expressing deep concern at the designs being devised against the precinct of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied city of A1-Khalil with the aim of judaizing it, seizing part of it and preventing worshippers from entering and normally offering in it the five daily prayers;

 Recalling Security Council RESOLUTION NO. number 904 (1994) on the Massacre in the precinct of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil:

 Having considered the Secretary General's report on the subject;

1.   Requests Member States to coordinate and intensify their efforts in the various international fora to prevent the implementation of the Israeli scheme for partitioning the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil, to ensure access to it for Muslim worshippers and preserve the integrity of the Ibrahimi Enclosure as a Mosque for Muslims only as it has been through the ages; and warns Member States against any slackness in this regard as this would encourage Israel to undermine the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic and Christian shrines.

2.  Calls on Member States to ensure the restoration of the old town in Al-Khalil as well as the remaining Islamic relics and shrines on the Palestinian lands to safeguard the heritage and culture of this historic city and its resident Palestinian families in an effort to counter Jewish colonization.

3.   Strongly condemns the repeated Israeli aggressions against the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al- Khalil, in particular, the massacre perpetrated by the settlers against Palestinian worshippers in the Enclosure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Ramadan 1414H killing tens of martyrs.

4.  Strongly condemns also the aggressive Israeli scheme for the partition of the Enclosure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil, which aims at seizing and judaizing most of it and building a Synagogue therein, which constitutes an aggression against Islamic Holy Places and feelings and a violation of all international Conventions and Charters, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.

5.  Condemns the Israeli aggression against the civil, educational, cultural, scientific, civilizational and religious institutions in the territories of the National Palestinian Authority and particularly in Jenine, Ramallah, Kalkilia, Naplouse and Beit Lahm.

6.  Welcomes ISESCO initiative to convene an international conference to be held in Rabat in February 2003 in order to document Israeli war crimes and calls on all member states to provide appropriate financial and moral support to the “International Observatory” for the Documentation of Israeli War Crimes in the creation of which was decided in the Kingdom of Morocco in order it to carry out its mission in the best conditions and entrusts ISESCO with the supervision of the observatory.

7.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the matter and report thereon to the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

/…

Annex VIII

    Resolutions on science and technology

/…

RESOLUTION NO. 1/30-S&T 

ON

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE ISLAMIC
WORLD INCLUDING ISRAELI PRACTICES AND THEIR
EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE OCCUPIED
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, IN THE OCCUPIED
SYRIAN GOLAN HEIGHTS AND IN OCCUPIED SOUTHERN LEBANON AND THE WESTERN BEKAA FORMERLY
UNDER OCCUPATION

  The Thirtieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Unity and Dignity) held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 27 to 29 Rabiul Awwal 1424H (28-30 May 2003),

 Having noted the resolution No. 1/29-ST, and 41/9-E(IS) adopted respectively by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference;

A.   ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD

 Recalling previous Resolutions on this subject especially Resolutions 2/19-E, 17/21-E, 22/22-E, 29/23-E, 32/24-E, 32/25-E, 35/25-E and 36/26-E, 39/27-E, 40/28-E and 1/29-ST of the 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd^, 24th, 25th,26th,27th,28th and 29th Sessions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers respectively;

 Deeply concerned at the continuing deterioration of the global environment, including the worsening trends in environmental pollution and the degradation of natural resources;

 Stressing again the right of all human beings to enjoy a healthy and non-polluted environment, as a basic human right;

 Re-emphasizing the right of States to protect their environment from harmful activities, and to cooperate among themselves to that end;

 Noting with concern that the condition of the environment has reached a stage that requires taking effective measures to stop its deterioration;

 Noting that while there has been progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, at various levels, particularly at the national level, the lack of fulfilment of international commitments agreed upon at Rio has been very disappointing;

 Stressing the commitments of the developed countries envisaged in Agenda 21 and Rio Declaration adopted by UNCED;

 Recognizing that environmental degradation both natural and manmade is a major global concern which requires the strengthening of international cooperation and extending effective contributions for the protection of the environment;

 Noting with satisfaction the recent developments towards the finalization of the International Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought, which was adopted in Paris in September 1994 and inviting the Member States, which have not ratified all the relevant conventions, including the International Convention on Combating Desertification, to do so, as soon as possible;

 Stressing the need for closely and constantly monitoring the global environmental situation and relevant activities and also supporting the establishment of mass-destruction-weapons-free-zones in the Muslim world;

 Expressing also its deep concern over the devastating effects of hazardous, toxic and radioactive wastes on humankind and the environment and supporting the establishment of mass-destruction-weapons-free-zones in the whole world.

 Strongly condemning the attempts by some developed countries to export their hazardous and radioactive wastes for dumping in developing countries, and appealing to Member States to sign the Basel Convention on Dangerous wastes and the Bamako Convention and relevant international agreements;

 Guided by the teachings of Islam which enjoin the Muslim peoples to safeguard the bounties that Allah has granted them on Earth;

  Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on this subject,

1.  Encourages Member States to continue to incorporate environmental considerations in their developmental policies.

2.  Urges Member States to cooperate and coordinate within the existing Desertification Regional Centers for preparation and implementation of NAP and RAP in accordance with article 11 of the CCD.

3.  Invites Member States to exchange information and experience in various environmental fields such as desertification, climate change and loss of biological diversity.

4.  Urges developed countries to provide new and additional financial resources specially for protection of global environment in general, and loss of biological diversity.

5.  Also Urges the Member States which have not ratified all the UN International Agreements on the Environment including the International Convention on Desertification and Drought to do so as soon as possible so that the Convention can come into force.

6.  Calls on Member States to mobilise available financial and institutional resources needed for implementing national programs of environmental protection.

7.  Emphasizes the commitments of developed countries in transferring environmentally sound technologies and know-how to developing countries in accordance with the provisions of chapter 34 of Agenda 21.

8.  Urges the Member States to attach greater importance to the question of the protection of the Environment and Natural Resources and to its relevance to sustainable development.

9. Condemns Israel’s continued rejection to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and carrying out uncontrolled nuclear programs.

10. Requests the international community, particularly relevant United Nations Organs, to conduct active scientific research on the rise in sea levels, and its socio-economic impacts, so as to protect the coastal zones and the wild life in the territories of the Member States.

11.  Urges the developed countries to discharge their obligations under prevailing international agreements on the transfer to developing countries of financial resources and environmentally sound technologies.

12.  Reaffirms the determination of the Member States to work for the strengthening of international cooperation in seeking solutions to global environmental problems and requests the donor countries and international financial institutions to extend further support to regional networks and national focal points in States stricken by desertification.

13.  Stresses that multilateral cooperation for the protection of the environment should include the provision of additional financial resources and access to environmentally sound technologies for the developing countries.

14.  Calls for the dissemination of pioneering experiments for the application of environmental development in the Islamic States and the use of the latter’ s available expertise in this field, whether through bilateral cooperation or multilateral programs for the exchange of expertise.

15.  Requests Member States to promote coordination and cooperation among environment monitoring networks and remote-control sensing Centers and coastal control posts and all other environment protection organs in Islamic States.

16.  Urges all Member States to continue consultation and coordination among them at all international meetings including consultations relating to environment protection, especially in the field of biological diversity, climate change, desertification, hazardous and radioactive waste.

17.  Rejects the imposition of obligations on developing countries to contain the phenomenon of climate changes in addition to the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol on the UN convention on Climate Changes and calls on Member States to oppose this orientation wherever it deemed necessary.

18.   Expresses its satisfaction at the fruitful cooperation between the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the United Nations Environment Program.

19.   Calls for the intensification of this cooperation with emphasis on the problem of the remnants of World War II and other wars in the Islamic countries, which impedes development of their societies, and calls on the international community to address the problem immediately and take the necessary measures to remove land mines and war remnants in countries concerned.

20.   Appeals to the parties to World War II to expeditiously provide Member States with information, data and maps on mines planted in their territories during the war and commit themselves to extend immediate aid and assistance required for the removal of these mines which still cause huge damage to human lives and obstruct development and construction in vital areas, while taking into consideration the decisions of the UN Conference on the Question of Mines which was held in Geneva in 1996.

21.  Calls on Member States to intensify coordination and consultation among themselves in the framework of the UN and others, particularly specialized agencies concerned, on tackling this subject in an effective and meaningful manner.

22.  Expresses solidarity with the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya concerning its position on the question of the minefields left on in its territory by World War II, their grave effect on the environment and the accidents and grievous damage they cause to thousands of its citizens. Also appeals to Member States to stand in solidarity with the Jamahiriya in its efforts to overcome this problem and its right to demand compensation for the damage and that the countries responsible for the mine danger, finance mine-hunting operations and produce minefield maps to the Libyan authorities concerned.

B.   ISRAELI PRACTICES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, THE SYRIAN GOLAN HEIGHTS AND IN OCCUPIED SOUTH LEBANON AND THE WESTERN BEKAA FORMERLY UNDER OCCUPATION.

 Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

 Recalling previous OIC and other International Resolutions on this subject;

  Recalling also the UNEP GC decision (UNEP/GC.19/107) on environmental situation in occupied Palestine and Arab territories, and expressing deep concern over the continued degradation of the environmental conditions in the occupied Palestine;

  Also recalling resolutions 14/11-E and 15/18-E of the UN Environment Program with respect to the environmental conditions in the Palestinian Arab Territories, and the Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories occupied by Israel;

 Referring to the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, Security Council and ECOSOC;

 Referring to the decision of the World Conference on sustained development, held in Johannesburg from 16 August to 24 September 2002, concerning foreign occupation as one of the major obstacles to sustainable development,

 Reaffirming the rights of mankind to a dignified life enjoying a healthy environment, free of pollution as a basic human and sacred right;

  Expressing deep concern over the escalating brutal and expansionist practices of the Israeli occupation authorities which include seizure of land and water-resources, the demolition of houses, the construction of new settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Arab Territories, especially in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and the Syrian Golan, the uprooting of trees, the destruction of crops, the cutting off of irrigation waters, the deforestation of wide expanses of land and the use of toxic gases with the attendant serious effects on the Palestinian and other Arab inhabitants and the economic and social situation in those lands;

  Expressing deep concern upon the dumping by Israel of Highly toxic radioactive and chemical wastes in the Mediterranean sea and particularly in the Lebanese regional waters;

  Having considered the report of the Secretary General on this issue;

1.  Condemns and censures Israel for its aggressive policies, the confiscation of Palestinian lands, the setting of forests on fire, the cutting off of irrigation water and the seizure of water resources and polluting the neighbouring countries’ coasts thereby causing considerable degradation of ecological conditions in occupied Palestine and aggravating the economic and social situation of the citizens.

2.  Condemns Israel’s continued occupation of the Arab Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan, and parts of southern Lebanon, including the Shabaa Farms, as an obstacle to the sustainable development of the Arab citizens of the occupied Arab territories.

3.  Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the citizens of the occupied Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories, and considers illegal any violation of this right.

4.  Urges UNEP to update its report on the environmental situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and submit it to the GC for immediate reaction.

5.   Requests the Member States to continue to extend help and assistance to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and the citizens in the Lebanese territories previously occupied, in drawing up the plans deemed necessary for environmental conservation within these territories and stresses the need to adopt concrete measures for consolidating such plans and taking steps to expose the policies pursued by Israeli occupation authorities which have led to ecological degradation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the occupied Syrian Golan and the previously occupied Lebanese territories.

6.  Strongly Condemns Israel’s persistence in changing the legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and its practices aimed at changing its environmental conditions as well as its geographical, demographic and historical features and at imposing Israeli laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan.

7. Calls for the strengthening of the cooperation among the Member States in the field of earthquake monitoring and establish a mechanism from the Member States on the Read Sea so as to monitor earthquakes in the region and exchange the necessary information on treating this phenomenon.

8. Condemns Israel’s persistent defiance of the will of the international community by refusing to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to submit its nuclear facilities to the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as its implementation of nuclear programs bound to cause a serious hazard to the neighboring Islamic States. It also passionately appeals to the international parties and bodies concerned to take the necessary steps to put an end to such hazards while emphasizing the importance of cooperation among the Member States concerned in the field of monitoring radiation fallout in the area.

9. Opposes the introduction of amendments to annex 7 of the Basle Convention on the prohibition of exporting dangerous wastes from OECD countries to non-OECD member countries until the states signatory to the Convention have approved the provisions of the annex.

10. Strongly emphasizes the need for in-depth studies of crucial issues on the environment affecting Member States so that they can keep abreast of their future development and implications.

11. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this recommendation and submit a report thereon to the Thirty-first Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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