Mideast situation/Lebanon – LAS resolution – Letter from UAE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL

Fifty-first session Fifty-first year

Item 33 of the preliminary list*

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

           Letter dated 10 April 1996 from the Permanent Representative

           of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations addressed

to the Secretary-General

In my capacity as Chairman of the Arab Group for the month of April 1996, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a copy of resolution 5544, entitled "Lebanese hostages and detainees held in Israeli camps and prisons", which was adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at its one hundred and fifth regular session on 21 March 1996.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 33 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Mohammad J. SAMHAN   

Ambassador       

Permanent Representative

________________________

* A/51/50.

96-09190 (E)   160496   170496

ANNEX

          Resolution 5544, entitled "Lebanese hostages and detainees held

          in Israeli camps and prisons", as adopted by the Council of the

          League of Arab States at its one hundred and fifth session on

21 March 1996

The Council of the League of Arab States,

Having taken note of the memorandum of the General Secretariat and of the recommendation of the Political Affairs Committee,

Strongly condemning Israeli attacks and oppressive practices in the occupied Lebanese territories of southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa, in particular the kidnapping and detention of innocent citizens who are imprisoned without trial in prisons in Israel and in the camps run by forces under Israeli control,

Recalling with deep regret Israel's failure to implement Security Council resolution 425 (1978) and relevant subsequent resolutions,

Mindful of the principles of international law concerning the protection of human rights, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 and The Hague Convention of 1907,

Noting the insanitary and inhumane conditions in which the detainees are kept and in which a number of them have died,

Recalling the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights,

Recalling the Council's earlier resolutions on Lebanese hostages and detainees held in Israeli camps and prisons, the most recent of which was resolution 5495 (CIV), of 21 September 1995,

Decides

1. To condemn the persistent Israeli violations of human rights in southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa, as exemplified by the kidnapping and arbitrary arrest of civilians and the destruction of their homes, the confiscation of their property and their expulsion from their land, as well as by the shelling of peaceful villages and urban areas;

2. To appeal to the international community, and the United Nations in particular, to take all necessary steps to deter Israel from committing such violations and to comply with Security Council resolution 425 (1978), which calls upon Israel to withdraw forthwith, completely and unconditionally, from all Lebanese territory and for respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon;

  3. To appeal to the international community to make all necessary representations to Israel to secure the release of all Lebanese prisoners and victims of kidnapping held in prisons in Israel and in the camps run by forces under Israeli control in violation of the provisions of international law, the fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and The Hague Convention of 1907;

4. To urge the member States of the League to use their good offices in international organizations so that all necessary representations are made to the Government of Israel, the occupying Power, to enable the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to visit the detainees in Khiam and Marj Uyun periodically and to ensure that the conditions in which they are being kept are inspected, they are provided with health and humanitarian care and their relatives are allowed to visit them regularly;

5. To demand that investigations be held, as required by international treaties, concerning Lebanese detainees who have died in Israeli camps and prisons, and that appropriate compensation be paid in accordance with the applicable international law.

Resolution 5544

One hundred and fifth regular session

3rd meeting

21 March 1996

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