Situation in the OPT – ECOSOC/CHR debate – Letter from Palestine

REPORTS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF

SUBSIDIARY BODIES:  HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS

Letter dated 23 July 1997 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine

to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed

to the President of the Economic and Social Council

I have the honour to enclose herewith the letter addressed to me by His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Somol, Chairman of the fifty­third session of the Commission on Human Rights, on 3 April 1997.

I would be grateful if you could distribute the attached letter to the distinguished members of the Council as an official document, as soon as possible during the current session of the Council, in return for your distribution of the letter of the Chairman of the Commission to the Ambassador of Israel, upon the request of the United States delegate, on 25 July 1997.

(Signed)  Nabil RAMLAWI                

Ambassador                 

Permanent Observer of Palestine to the   

United Nations               

Geneva                   

Annex

LETTER DATED 3 APRIL 1997 FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE

FIFTY­THIRD SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

TO THE PERMANENT OBSERVER OF PALESTINE TO THE

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA

I should like to refer to the meeting I had with a delegation of distinguished Arab ambassadors headed by the Chairman of the Arab Group regarding my reply to the letter of the Ambassador of Israel concerning parts of the statement you made in the Commission on 11 March 1997.

I am personally very sorry for any harm this may have caused you.  It was certainly not my intention to do so.

Although I consider it my prerogative as Chairman to react to the letter of the Ambassador of Israel, I did not realize that it would have been better to consult with the Bureau before undertaking any such action.  I will bear this in mind in the future.

Please be assured Mr. Ambassador, that it is my firm intention and duty to continue to be an impartial Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights.

(Signed)  Miroslav SOMOL               

Chairman of the fifty­third session    

of the Commission on Human Rights     

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chr.hiv