Human rights situation in the OPT – GA Third Cttee to hear Sp. Rapporteur report – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

22^nd & 23^rd Meetings (AM & PM)

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The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. Thursday, 25 October to continue its discussion on human rights with presentations by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; the Chair of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances; and the Chair of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its discussion on human rights today, taking up the human rights situations and reports of Special Rapporteurs and representatives.

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A note by the Secretary-General transmitting the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 (document A/67/379) addresses Israel’s compliance with its international legal obligations in relation to its occupation of Palestinian territory.  The Special Rapporteur focuses on the legal responsibility of businesses, corporations and non-State actors involved in activities relating to Israel’s settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  He reiterates his request to Israel to cooperate with his efforts, noting that Israel has not cooperated with many other important initiatives of the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council relating to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

As such, the Special Rapporteur calls attention to the grave circumstances of the Palestinian people, living under prolonged occupation and with no realistic prospect of its termination in the near future.  The United Nations has a great responsibility to do all possible to avoid the economic, political and cultural exploitation of Palestinians and their natural resource endowment.  Among other recommendations, he calls on Israel to desist from settling its population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, begin dismantling its settlements and returning its citizens to its own territory, namely:  the Israeli side of the Green Line, in accordance with international law, numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the wall.

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For information media • not an official record