Human rights situation in the OT – CHR Sub-Comm. resolutions – Sub-Comm. report (excerpts)

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  II.   RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE SUB­COMMISSION

              AT ITS FORTY­EIGHTH SESSION

A.  Resolutions *

1996/1.  Situation in the Middle East

The Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities,

Recalling the convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East at Madrid on 30 October 1991, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, and the subsequent bilateral negotiations, as well as the meetings of the multilateral working groups,

Recalling also its resolutions 1995/2 of 3 August 1995 and 1994/13 of 25 August 1994 in which it reaffirmed that the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East was essential for the furtherance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the area, welcomed the peace process begun at Madrid and supported the subsequent bilateral negotiations, endorsed the achievements of the peace process to date and urged all parties to implement the agreements which had been reached, and emphasized the importance of making progress in Arab-Israeli negotiations,

Having in mind Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/7 of 11 April 1996, stressing the importance of and need for the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, emphasizing that the achievement of such a peace is vital to the full implementation of human rights in the area, welcoming progress thus far, including the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and the elections for the Palestinian Interim Self-Governing Authority, supporting the declaration adopted at the Summit of Peacemakers held at Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 13 March 1996, which had as its objectives enhancing the peace process, promoting security and combating terrorism, condemning acts of terrorism, from whatever source, in the Middle East which seek to undermine the peace process, expressing full support for the achievements of the peace process thus far, and encouraging the continuation of negotiations,

Noting with satisfaction the broad international support for the peace process and its contribution to the implementation and furtherance of human rights in the area,

Recognizing the significance of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993,

the subsequent Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area, signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization at Cairo on 4 May 1994, and the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C. on 28 September 1995,

Recognizing also the significance of the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994,

1. Reaffirms that the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is essential for the implementation and furtherance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the area;

2. Supporting warmly the peace process begun at Madrid and the subsequent bilateral negotiations through which it has been continued;

3. Endorses the achievements of the peace process to date, which constitute important initial and continuing steps in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and urges all parties to implement the agreements which have been reached, expressing the hope that successful steps will be taken soon;

4. Calls upon all parties to the peace process to continue their efforts with undiminished energy, deliberateness and speed;

5. Encourages the permanent status negotiations begun pursuant to the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements;

6. Emphasizes the importance of making progress, as a matter of urgency, on the other tracks of the Arab-Israeli negotiations within the peace process;

7. Expresses its full support for the active role which the United Nations is playing in the peace process, and in particular for its assistance in implementing the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

19th meeting

19 August 1996

[Adopted without a vote.  See chap. VII.]

*E/CN.4/1997/2

E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/41