Situation in OPT, Hebron massacre, need for protection – OIC Statement, letter from Pakistan

I have the honour to transmit herewith a statement adopted by the States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in New York on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

I shall be grateful if this statement is circulated as a document of the Security Council.

Annex

Statement issued by the Organization of the
Islamic Conference on 7 March 1994

The members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) met at the ambassadorial level in New York on 7 March 1994 to resume consideration of the grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territory resulting from the massacre committed against Palestinian worshippers in Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil al Rahman (Hebron) on 25 February 1994, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The members expressed concern over the delay by the Security Council to take necessary measures and to adopt a resolution condemning the massacre and calling for measures to be taken to ensure the safety and protection of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Al-Quds al Sharif (Jerusalem).

The members of OIC called upon the Security Council to immediately take action and adopt the necessary resolution. In this regard, the members reaffirmed the need for measures to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian people, in accordance with, inter alia, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and called for the deployment of the United Nations military observers in the occupied Palestinian territory. They reaffirmed also the need for specific follow-up of the implementation of any such measures to be adopted by the Security Council. The members supported the proposals put forth by the Secretary-General in this regard.

The members of OIC expressed their grave concern at the repressive measures of the Israeli authorities in the occupied territories and the murders of the innocent civilians. They urged that immediate measures should be taken to disarm the Israeli settlers in the occupied territories and to dismantle all Israeli settlements there. They regarded these measures as essential for the safety and security of the Palestinians in the occupied territories.

The members of OIC also reaffirmed the centrality of the issue of the Holy City of Al-Quds al-Sharif (Jerusalem) for all member States and the necessity for preserving and protecting of its sacred shrines. Further, recalling the resolutions adopted by OIC on this crucial issue, the members called upon the Security Council to reaffirm the long-held, established position that Jerusalem is an integral part of the occupied territories.

The members of OIC decided to remain seized of the matter and to participate actively in the deliberations of the Security Council and to observe closely any developments in this regard.

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