Situation in Lebanon – OIC statement – Letter from Morocco

QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN

ANY PART OF THE WORLD, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO COLONIAL

AND OTHER DEPENDANT COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

Letter dated 24 April 1996 from the Permanent Representative of

the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations Off ice at Geneva addressed to

the Chairman of the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith* the text of a statement on the situation in Lebanon which was made at the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights on behalf of the States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. I should be grateful if you would have it circulated as an official document of the fifty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights.

(Signed): Nacer Benjelloun-Touimi

____________

*The annex is reproduced as received, in the language of submission only.

Annex

O.I.C. MEMBER STATES DECLARATION

BEFORE THE 52nd SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS

COMMISSION ON THE SITUATION IN LEBANON

We have recently witnessed the Israeli massacre of 103 innocent civilians, among whom were 70 children, who sought shelter in a UNIFIL headquarter after being cold bloodedly and deliberately targeted by the Israeli army. During the same day, the Israelis had slaughtered all eleven members of a single Lebanese family. These are a few examples of the daily massacres which have been going on since the 11th of April against the Lebanese people. The Israeli large-scale military aggression has claimed a tremendous toll on innocent civilian lives, inflicting numerous casualties among the civilian population and leading to the exodus of over half a million people who were fore d to flee their homes in South Lebanon and the Western Bekaa region. Villages, towns and cities throughout Lebanon have been targeted by the heavy and devastating Israeli aerial, naval and land bombardments, including the capital Beirut and its suburbs. The scope of the Israeli aggression has inflected severe damages to vital socio-economic infrastructure.

The Israeli aggression stands in stark violation of the International Law, International Humanitarian Law and the fundamental principles of human rights. Israel cannot and may not under any pretext justify this brutal military campaign against Lebanon. Its occupation of parts of Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley is the very source of continued violence and conflict in that area. Under such circumstances. National Resistance is a legitimate right of self-defense in accordance with International Law.

The immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Lebanon, in compliance with the Security Council resolution 425, is the only solution and guarantee for peace and security in the region . The continuing Israeli aggression is gravely undermining the entire peace process in the Middle East, started at the Madrid Conference in 1991.

The OIC member states:

– Strongly condemn the Israeli military aggression on Lebanon, and in particular, the massacre of civilians on April 18th 1996, affirming that such attacks cannot be justified under any pretext.

– Express their full solidarity with the Lebanese Government people in their legitimate cause.

– Reaffirm the right of Lebanon to self-defense and resistance against continued Israeli occupation.

– Demand an immediate cessation of military aggression by Israel on Lebanon and its population, and the full respect its independence sovereignty and territorial integrity.

– Call upon the international community to provide Lebanon with urgent humanitarian assistance.

– Hold Israel responsible for the consequences of its aggression and support the right of the Lebanese Government and people to adequate compensations and indemnities.

– Call upon the Commission on Human Rights to condemn the massive and gross violations of the fundamental human rights of the Lebanese people by Israel. Furthermore, request the Chairman of the 52nd session of the Commission on Human Rights to issue a declaration condemning Israel's grave violations of human rights in Lebanon which include the right to life and a secure shelter, as well as condemning the killing of Lebanese civilian, causing massive displacements, the destruction of private properties as well as Lebanon's infrastructure which constitute a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions and International Law.