DRAFT PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 1991
I. MANDATE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE
INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
1. The Committee's mandate for 1991 is contained in General Assembly resolutions 45/67 A and B, the relevant parts of which are paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of resolution 45/67 A and paragraph 2 of resolution 45/67 B.
2. In paragraph 3 of resolution 45/67 A, the Committee is requested to continue to keep under review the situation relating to the question of Palestine as well as the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Achievement of Palestinian Rights and to report and make suggestions to the General Assembly or the Security Council, as appropriate.
3. In paragraph 4 of the same resolution the Committee is authorized to continue to exert all efforts to promote the implementation of its recommendations, including representation at conferences and meetings and the sending of delegations, to make such adjustments in its approved programme of seminars and of symposia and meetings for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as it may consider necessary, to give special emphasis to the need to mobilize public opinion in Europe and North America, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session and thereafter.
4. In paragraph 5 of the same resolution the Committee is requested to continue to extend its co-operation to NGOs in their contribution towards heightening international awareness of the facts relating to the question of Palestine and in creating a more favourable atmosphere for the full implementation of the Committee's recommendations, and to take the necessary steps to expand its contacts with those organizations.
5. Resolution 45/67 B deals with the work programme of the Division for Palestinian Rights. In paragraph 2, the Secretary-General is requested to provide the Division with the necessary resources and to ensure that it continues to discharge the tasks detailed in the pertinent resolutions of the General Assembly, in consultation with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and under its guidance.
6. Resolution 45/67 C deals with the programme of work of the Department of Public Information. In paragraph 2, the Department is requested, in full co-operation and co-ordination with the Committee, to continue its special information programme on the question of Palestine for the remainder of the biennium 1990-1991, with particular emphasis on public opinion in Europe and North America.
II. PRIORITY ISSUES IN THE COMMITTEE'S PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 1991
7. The Committee has continued to give utmost priority to promoting the early convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions. It has urged all concerned to work for the early resolution of this problem, which covers a large region and affects the maintenance of international peace and security.
8. Since the beginning of the intifadah in December 1987 and taking into account the harsh repressive policies of the occupying Power, Israel, the Committee has repeatedly called for measures to ensure the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation. It has also appealed for an end to the Israeli repressive measures which have resulted in a large loss of life, injuries, detentions, deportations, demolition of houses, uprooting of productive trees and diversion of resources, all in contravention of the provisions of the fourth Geneva Convention, which is fully applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem as well as to the other Arab territories occupied since 1967.
9. In light of the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. the Committee will take all possible additional measures to strengthen its role in monitoring the situation of Palestinians under occupation and promoting the adoption of concrete measures by the High Contracting Parties to the fourth Geneva Convention to ensure respect by Israel, the occupying Power, of the Convention in all circumstances, in conformity with their obligation under Article 1 of the Convention.
10. With the recent manifestation of a renewed international determination to ensure equity, justice and consistency in the application of the principles of international law, it is of the utmost importance for the Committee to intensify efforts to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In this regard, the Committee will stress the importance of the implementation of all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the question of Palestine and the Middle East situation.
11. The activities of the Committee in 1991 will focus on the following:
12. The priority issues indicated above will be addressed in all regional seminars and NGO symposia and meetings held under the auspices of the Committee.
III. ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE DIVISION FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS
A. Action by the Committee
13. In accordance with past practice and with paragraph 3 of resolution 45/67 A, the Committee will continue to monitor the situation relating to the question of Palestine and to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and, through its Chairman, to convey its considered views thereon to the General Assembly and to the Security Council, as appropriate. As in the past, the Bureau may, whenever urgent action is required, through its Chairman, draw the attention of the Secretary-General and the President of the Assembly and/or the Security Council to developments affecting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
14. In response to paragraph 4 of resolution 45/67 A and in accordance with past practice, the Committee requests the Secretary-General to address a letter to all Member States emphasizing the urgent need for positive action with regard to the holding of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East and reiterating the Committee's invitation to all Member States to participate in, and to contribute to, its work.
15. Also with reference to paragraph 4 of resolution 45/67 A and in the light of the fact that the Assembly in resolution 45/68 has once again invited the Security Council to consider measures needed to convene the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, including the establishment of a preparatory committee, the Committee will take an active role in all aspects relating to the convening of the Conference and-the search for peace. The Committee will initiate a process of interaction with all concerned for the regular exchange of information and views.
16. In this regard, the Committee will meet on a regular basis with the relevant officials and bodies within and outside the United Nations system; send delegations to consult with Governments, non-governmental organizations, and others as considered appropriate; hold special meetings to hear experts on specific issues; and undertake other activities as necessary.
17. In accordance with the practice of the past several years, the Committee will continue to formulate and implement its programme of regional seminars as well as of symposia and meetings for NGOs and to increase its contacts and co-operation with Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in order to create greater awareness of the facts relating to the question of Palestine and the urgent need to intensify efforts for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of this problem. In this respect, the Committee will intensify its efforts in particular in the countries of Europe and North America.
B. Seminars
18. In accordance with the established practice, regional seminars would be held in 1991 in Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, and North America. It may be recalled that the seminars for Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean region and Europe are scheduled to be held once in two years. Since the Latin American and Caribbean seminar and NGO symposium was already held at Buenos Aires from 5 to 9 February 1990 after being deferred from 1989, the Committee has decided to hold a European Regional Seminar in 1991 instead of a Latin American and Caribbean Seminar and NGO Symposium. Such a decision is also in response to the request made by the General Assembly in resolution 45/67 A that special emphasis be given to mobilizing public opinion in Europe and North America.
19. In this regard, the Committee decided at its 171st meeting held on 25 October 1990 to accept the kind offer of the Government of Spain to provide the venue for the European regional seminar at Madrid from 27 to 31 May 1991.
20. With regard to the North American seminar, which is usually held at Headquarters immediately preceding the North American NGO Symposium, a final decision will be made depending on the outcome of consultations concerning the holding of the NGO Symposium in Canada.
21. With regard to the Asian seminar, which would be held jointly with the Asian NGO Symposium, consultations have been undertaken with prospective host Governments. The venue and dates remain to be decided.
C. Non-governmental organizations preparatory meetings,
regional symposia and international meeting
22. Provision has been made for the holding in 1991 of NGO regional symposia in Asia, North America and Europe, and of an international meeting of NGOs. Provision has also been made for two preparatory meetings (for the North American symposium and for the European Symposium/International Meeting, respectively).
23. The Preparatory Meeting for the North American NGO Symposium was held at Headquarters in New York, on 11 and 12 February 1991; The Preparatory Meeting for the International NGO Meeting, was held on 25 and 26 March 1991, at Geneva.
24. The Asian NGO Symposium would be held jointly with the Asian Regional Seminar for a duration of five days. The venue and dates remain to be decided.
25. Subject to agreement by the Canadian authorities to provide the venue for the North American Symposium, it is envisaged that this event would take place at Montreal from 26 to 28 June 1991. Alternatively, the Seminar and the Symposium would be held at Headquarters, New York, on 24 and 25 June and 26 to 28 June, respectively.
26. In accordance with established practice, the European Symposium and the International Meeting will be held consecutively on 26 and 27 August and 28 to 30 August, respectively. The Committee decided to accept the kind offer by the Austrian Government to provide the venue for these meetings at the Austria Center in Vienna.
D. Studies and publications of the Division for Palestinian Rights
27. In accordance with its mandate, the Division for Palestinian Rights will continue, in 1991, to prepare, under the guidance of the Committee, the following publications:
28. As was proposed by the Committee, a compilation of seminar papers on the legal aspects of the question of Palestine is being completed and will be issued shortly.
29. The Division is presently in the process of updating its studies published in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is envisaged that during 1991 the Division will prepare updates of the following studies:
30. In response to a request of the Committee, the Division will conduct research for the question of water resources in the Gaza Strip.
31. In addition, the Division will prepare urgently and update regularly, for the use of Committee members and observers, a compilation of the most recent relevant statements, declarations and proposals regarding the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the question of Palestine and the convening of the International Peace Conference. The Department of Public Information is requested to prepare an attractive brochure on this topic containing excerpts of the most important United Nations resolutions and key statements.
32. The Division for Palestinian Rights is also requested to study the feasibility of establishing a computerized database relating to the question of Palestine.
E. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
33. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 32/40 B of 2 December 1977, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People will be observed on Friday, 29 November 1991. The Committee decided in principle that the observance at Headquarters, United Nations offices at Geneva and Vienna and elsewhere would follow the same format as in 1990. It was also decided that consideration would be given in due course to ways and means of strengthening the effectiveness of the observance.
34. As in the past, the Committee decided to invite the Office of the Permanent Observer of Palestine to provide an exhibit to be displayed at United Nations Headquarters during the week of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
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Document Type: Document, Programme of work
Document Sources: Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), General Assembly
Subject: Inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, Intifadah I, Palestine question, Public information, Solidarity day
Publication Date: 27/03/1991