Desecration of Muslim Cemetery in Jerusalem – Letter from Palestine, Petition

 Identical letters dated 9 April 2010 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

  I have the honour to enclose herewith a petition for “Urgent action on human rights violations by Israel: Desecration of the Ma’man Allah (Mamilla) Muslim Cemetery in the Holy City of Jerusalem”, filed by Palestinian individuals whose ancestors are buried at Ma’man Allah cemetery in addition to several other non-governmental organizations from Palestine, Israel and the United States, who oppose the establishment of so called “Centre for Human Dignity and Museum of Tolerance” on the human remains of the dead Muslims buried in the Cemetery (see annex).

  The Charter of the United Nations “reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, and dignity and worth of the human person” and committed all Member States to promote “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion”. Ironically both the Centre and Museum bear names that do not befit this act of bigotry and contempt to dignity and worth of the human person. Protection of cultural heritage and cultural property, including religious sites such as cemeteries, are guaranteed by international human rights instruments such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Furthermore building on the cemetery constitutes a violation of basic human rights including the right to manifest religious beliefs, the right to family and culture and the right to freedom from discrimination, as set forth in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

  Such reprehensible actions show that the Israeli Government intends to continue its adopted unlawful policy of discrimination and contempt towards Palestinian Muslim and Christian holy places as it has been doing for over 62 years with impunity. If left unchecked, the continuation of such unlawful policies and inflammatory provocations will certainly raise the tensions and pose a threat to peace and security. Therefore we expect that due action will be taken in this regard to put an end to these violations.

 I kindly request that the text of the present letter and its annex be circulated as a document of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 5, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Riyad Mansour

Ambassador

Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations

Annex

    Petition for urgent action on human rights violations in Mamilla Cemetery by Israel

   ( www.mamillacampaign.org)

    Executive summary

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