HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
FRIDAY, 6 JUNE 2014
SECRETARY-GENERAL: PALESTINIAN DETAINEES SHOULD BE CHARGED OR RELEASED WITHOUT DELAY
- The Secretary-General said he was concerned about reports regarding the deteriorating health of Palestinian administrative detainees who have been on hunger strike for over a month. He reiterated his long-standing position that administrative detainees should be charged or released without delay.
- The United Nations on the ground is closely following the overall situation of Palestinian detainees.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recently reiterated to the Government of Israel the Secretary-General’s concerns on these issues. She also expressed concerns regarding a legislative amendment before the Israeli Knesset that, if passed, would permit force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike against their will under certain conditions, in contravention of international standards.
- The Secretary-General has taken note of the related concerns raised recently by various human rights organizations and has responded, reiterating the United Nations well known positions.
- Asked about Israeli settlement activity, the Spokesman said that the building of settlements on occupied territory is illegal under international law. In his statement on Thursday, the Secretary-General called on Israel to heed the calls of the international community to freeze settlement activity and abide by its commitments under international law and the Road Map.
- The Spokesman added that the Secretary-General had spoken by phone today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
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Document symbol: NoonBriefing_060614
Document Type: Highlights of the Noon Briefing, Press briefing
Document Sources: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Secretary-General
Subject: Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Legal issues, Prisoners and detainees, Settlements
Publication Date: 06/06/2014
Document Type: Highlights of the Noon Briefing, Press briefing
Document Sources: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Secretary-General
Subject: Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Legal issues, Prisoners and detainees, Settlements
Publication Date: 06/06/2014