Situation in the OPT/Deportees in southern Lebanon – CEIRPP statement

Letter dated 21 January 1993 from the Chairman of the

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights  

of the Palestinian People to the Secretary-General

I have the honour, in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, to enclose herewith the text of a statement adopted by the Committee on 21 January 1993 on the deportation of Palestinian civilians from the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, by the Israeli authorities (see annex).

I should be grateful, if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 30, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Kéba Birane CISSE

                   Chairman

Committee on the Exercise

of the Inalienable Rights

of the Palestinian People

ANNEX

Statement by the Committee on the Exercise of the

Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at  

its 194th meeting held on 21 January 1993

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People strongly condemns the mass deportation of over 400 Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory by Israel, the occupying Power, on 17 December 1992.  This action constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and is in violation of numerous Security Council resolutions which demand that Israel refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories and ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported.  It is also in flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law.

The Committee joins the international community in warning that these violations and the policy of collective punishments and continued repression in the occupied Palestinian territory being pursued by Israel pose grave dangers for security and stability in the region and for the ongoing peace process.

The Committee appreciates and supports the continuing efforts of the Secretary-General and his personal representatives to resolve this matter in accordance with Security Council resolution 799 (1992) of 18 December 1992, and notes in particular the Secretary-General's position, contained in his letter of 3 January 1993, concerning possible further steps to be taken by the Security Council.  The Committee condemns Israel's persistent refusal to comply with that resolution, which demanded that Israel, the occupying Power, ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported.

The Committee notes with extreme concern that the deportees are still enduring extremely harsh conditions, exposed to winter weather and without adequate food, water and medical care.  They also face the threat of possible violent actions including artillery shelling, from Israeli or Israeli-controlled forces.  The Committee underlines that the Israeli Government bears exclusive and direct responsibility for this unlawful and repressive action and the resulting inhuman situation, and that it is incumbent upon the international community to do everything in its power to bring it to an end, to ensure compliance with Security Council resolution 799 (1992) and to prevent any similar illegal action by the Israeli Government in the future.

The Committee calls in particular upon the Security Council to take all necessary measures, including the application of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, to bring about the implementation of its resolution.  The Committee believes that this would help to ensure the continuation of the peace process, preserve the prestige and credibility of the Security Council, and guarantee respect for international law and agreements by all, without exception.

Noting with grave concern the continuing human rights violations by Israel, the occupying Power, in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly the increased casualties, blanket curfews and mass arrests in recent weeks, the Committee once again urgently appeals to the Security Council to take the necessary measures to provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, in accordance with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention and numerous Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 681 (1990), until a permanent, durable and just solution is found to the question of Palestine based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

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