Human rights situation in the OPT – HRC third session/Dialogue with UNHCHR – Summary record (excerpts)

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Third session

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 2nd MEETING

Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva,

on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, at 3 p.m.

President: Mr. DE ALBA (Mexico)

CONTENTS

IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL” (continued)

(a) REPORTS OF MECHANISMS AND MANDATES

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE MALDIVES

The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m.

IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL” (agenda item 2)  (continued)

Update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights (continued)

1. The PRESIDENT invited the members of the Council to resume their interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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5. Mr. FERNÁNDEZ PALACIOS (Cuba) …

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7. The Palestinian people living under foreign occupation continued to be subjected to gross and systematic human rights violations, and the Council had had to convene three special sessions to consider the grave situation in the region. …

8. Mr. LARENAS SERRANO (Ecuador) …

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9. His delegation recognized the grave situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel, and welcomed the resumption of talks between the parties to the conflict. …

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12. Mr. ABU-KOASH (Observer for Palestine) said that his delegation had taken note of the statement made by the High Commissioner, in particular concerning her visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.  In his opinion, the High Commissioner had not adequately acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people, under the harsh and prolonged Israeli occupation, and the systematic violation of their human rights.  While the High Commissioner had referred to some Israeli violations, she had not mentioned that Israel was the occupying Power and that Israeli settlements had been established in violation of international law.  She had also failed to mention the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, in which the Court had found that the construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was contrary to international law.

13. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November marked the anniversary of the partition of Palestine in 1947.  He called on the international community to provide protection for the Palestinian people, and requested the assistance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in that regard.  For over 60 years, the Palestinian people had been negotiating with Israel to no avail.  The Palestinian people wanted their independence and had the right to resist occupation.

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The meeting rose at 6.10 p.m.