Human rights situation in the OPT – Third Cttee debate – Summary record (excerpts)

General Assembly

Fifty-sixth session 

Official Records

Third Committee 

Summary record of the 38th meeting

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Tuesday, 13 November 2001, at 10 a.m.

Chairman:   Mr. Al-Hinai  ……………………………………………………….. (Oman)

later: Mr. Oda (Vice-Chairman)……………………………………………….(Egypt)

Contents

Agenda item 119: Human rights questions (continued)

(b)   Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (continued )

(c)   Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (continued)

(d)   Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (continued)

(e)   Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (continued )

The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m.

Agenda item 119: Human rights questions (continued)

 (b)   Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (continued ) (A/56/168, A/56/190, A/56/204, A/56/207 and Add.1, A/56/209, A/56/212, A/56/230, A/56/253, A/56/254 and Add.1, A/56/255, A/56/256, A/56/258, A/56/263, A/56/271, A/56/292, A/56/310, A/56/334, A/56/341 and A/56/344)

 (c)   Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (continued ) (A/56/210, A/56/217, A/56/220, A/56/278, A/56/281, A/56/312, A/56/327, A/56/336, A/56/337, A/56/340, A/56/409 and Add.1, A/56/440, A/56/460, A/56/479 and A/56/505; A/C.3/56/4, A/C.3/56/7)

 (d)   Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (continued) (A/56/36 and Add.1)

 (e)   Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( continued) (A/56/36 and Add.1)

1.  Mr. De Loecker (Belgium), speaking on behalf of the European Union, …

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6.   The European Union condemned the repeated violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, including the illegal settlements, and requested Israel to show greater restraint in the use of military force. The policy of extrajudicial executions, restrictions on the freedom of movement of the Palestinians, the destruction of Palestinian homes, the ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees and the breaches of the provisions of international humanitarian law were unacceptable. The European Union strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and called on the Palestinian Authority to do its utmost to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators and those responsible for terrorist acts. It was deeply concerned about the rapid trials that were taking place and requested the Authority to respect human rights and democratic principles and to maintain its moratorium on capital punishment.

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96.  Mr. Laurin (Canada), …

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116.   In the Middle East, the Palestinian Authority and Israel must refrain from inflaming the situation further and must pursue dialogue. The top priority should be the safety, security, human rights and well-being of the populations. Respect for the human dignity of all was a fundamental building block in the establishment of a sustainable peace.

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The meeting rose at 12.55 p.m.

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Corrections will be issued after the end of the session, in a separate corrigendum for each Committee.