Human rights situation in Palestine and other OATs/Displacement of Palestinians – HRC seventh session – NGO statement (Badil)

HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN PALESTINE AND OTHER OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES

Written statement* submitted by Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

[22 February 2008]

60 Years of Massive Displacement and Still No Solution to the Question of Palestine that Respects International Law

60 years after the massive displacement of the Palestinian people (Nakba), Israel pursues its policy of population transfer by colonizing Palestinian lands and resources and imposing a regime of apartheid in territories under its jurisdiction.  There are 7 million Palestinian refugees who still do not have access to remedy and reparations, including the right to return and restitution.  Since the beginning of this year, in the occupied West Bank only, nearly 300 persons have been internally displaced as a result of home demolitions, unlawful evictions and land confiscations.      

Solutions to this conflict exist.  But in order to bring the just and durable peace that everyone seeks, they must respect the rights of all peoples, including the right of refugees and internally displaced persons to return home.  Unfortunately, Palestinians still witness today a peace process characterised by real politik, yielding unsustainable 'pragmatic and realistic' solutions.  

As the United Nations is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, justice and dignity for the Palestinian people is still denied.  It is in this context that Badil calls upon all parties to the conflict, in particular the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States, to adopt a rights-based approach that respects the rights of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.     

Until then, Badil urges all members of the international community to hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable and to undertake measures of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the government of Israel until it complies with international law.

Badil recommends to:

1. Urge state members of the UN to take measures such as economic sanctions and diplomatic boycott against Israel for its breach of international law and non-implementation of UN Resolutions, as well as the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on The Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

2. Undertake a study on the applicability of the crimes of apartheid and population transfer to Israel's actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

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