DPR Monthly Bulletin – Vol. XV, No. 4 – CEIRPP, DPR bulletin (April 1992) – DPR publication

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April 1992

Vol. XV, Bulletin No. 4

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I. SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN RAFAH, URGES

ISRAEL TO ABIDE BY GENEVA CONVENTION, ASKS FOR

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S GOOD OFFICES

Following consultations among members of the Security Council, the President of the Council made the following statement, on behalf of the members of the Council, at its 3065th meeting, on 4 April 1992, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in the occupied Arab territories”:

“The members of the Security Council are gravely concerned by the continued deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, especially by the current serious situation in Rafah in which several Palestinians have been killed and many more injured.

“The members of the Security Council condemn all these acts of violence at Rafah.  They urge maximum restraint in order to bring the violence to an end.

“The members of the Security Council urge Israel to abide at all times by its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and to respect and to act in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.  The members of the Security Council are concerned that any escalation of violence would have serious implications for the peace process, especially at a time when negotiations to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace are under way.

“The members of the Security Council request the Secretary-General to use his good offices, in accordance with resolution 681 (1990), regarding this situation concerning Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation.” (see S/23783)

II. SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES DEATHS IN GAZA STRIP

AND APPEALS FOR END TO BLOODSHED IN

PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT

The following statement, attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Boutrós Boutrós-Ghali, was issued on 2 April 1992:

“The Secretary-General has learned with consternation of yesterday’s violent clashes in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafa and the nearby refugee camp.  He deplores the death of the several Palestinians who were shot during the clashes in which scores of people were also wounded.  Yesterday’s incidents were yet another tragic illustration of the dangers inherent in the long, drawn out Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

“The Secretary-General appeals for an end to the bloodshed and hopes that the present tensions will not escalate into further violence.  This tragic situation which comes at a time when negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict are under way, can only serve to hamper that process.” (see SG/SM/4725)

III.  COMMITTEE APPROVES PROGRAMME FOR NORTH AMERICAN SEMINAR

At its 187th meeting, on 29 April 1992, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People approved the following programme for the annual North American Seminar on the Question of Palestine:

UNITED NATIONS NORTH AMERICAN SEMINAR

ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

United Nations Headquarters, New York

22-23 June 1992

A number of prominent experts in the field of humanitarian law from the North American and other regions will make presentations at the Seminar and all States have been invited to attend.

IV.  UNRWA DEPLORES ISRAELI USE OF FORCE IN GAZA

The following press release was issued by UNRWA on 2 April 1992 (see PAL/1776):

"The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Ilter Turkmen, has expressed distress over the killing of four Palestine refugees and the wounding of at least 70 others yesterday as a result of the indiscriminate use of force by Israeli security personnel against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

“The shooting took place in the market area of Rafah refugee camp, which was extremely crowded on the eve of the Muslim feast of Eid el-Fitr.  The Israeli forces in two jeeps sped into the market in pursuit of four men allegedly involved in throwing a hand grenade at a Border Police post.  A petrol bomb and stones were thrown at the Israeli vehicles.

“UNRWA and hospital ambulances removed the wounded for emergency treatment at UNRWA clinics and local hospitals, but some were delayed by Israeli security forces in performing their duties.  UNRWA international and local staff remained in the area until.midnight to ensure that medical services could be provided to the injured.

“This incident produced one of the heaviest tolls of Palestinian casualties since December 1987.  It comes at a time when violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is rising to dangerous levels and increasing numbers of Palestinians are victims of live fire.”

V. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:

ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

In the course of April, the following information was received by the Division for Palestinian Rights:

1. Libertas, newsletter of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, available from: 63, rue de Brésoles, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 1V7, Canada.

2. Democratic Palestine, quarterly publication providing analysis pertinent to the Palestinian liberation struggle.  Available from: Box 30192, Damascus, Syria.

3. The Middle East, monthly publication; available from: IC Publications Ltd., 7 Coldbath Square, London EC1R4LQ United Kingdom.

4. Bulletin of Regional Cooperation in the Middle East, the Search for Common Ground, available from: 2005 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Lower Level, Washington, D.C. 20036-1011, United States of America.

5. The Other Front, weekly bulletin on developments in Israeli society, available from: The Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 24278, Jerusalem.

6. Israel and Palestine Political Report, available from: Magelan, Boite Postale 130, 75463 Paris CEDEX 10, France.

7. Middle East International, bi-weekly publication, available from: P.O. Box 53365, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C. 20009, United States of America.

8. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, monthly publication, available from: P.O. Box 53062, Washington, D.C. 20009, United States of America.

9. Newsletter on Freedom of the Press, issued monthly by the Forum of Action for Freedom of the Press and the Re-opening of Derech Hanitzotz/Tarik Al Shanana.  Available from: P.O. Box 1575, Jerusalem.