Human rights in the OPT – GA Third Cttee debate/Sp. Rapporteur (Dugard) report – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

32^nd & 33^rd Meetings (AM & PM)

LAUNCH OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REPRESENTS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY PROMOTE,

PROTECT FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

Delegates Warn against Exploitation of Human Rights Principles for Political Ends

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to continue its general discussion of human rights questions.

For additional background, please see Press Releases GA/SHC/3856, GA/SHC/3857, GA/SHC/3858, GA/SHC/3860, GA/SHC/3861 and GA/SHC/3862 of 17, 18, 19, 23, 25 and 26 October, respectively.

Statements

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WARIF HALABI ( Syria) …

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The most dangerous threat to human rights in today’s world was the use of human rights by some States in a selective manner, she said.  Serious efforts had to be made to place the principles of human rights above narrower interests.  States had to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of other States and priority had to be given to the most serious violations, such as the crimes of foreign occupation and aggression.  The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory had exposed the policies of settlement and occupation; his courage was appreciated. …

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AL-SHEHAB ( Kuwait) thanked the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967 for his report, which clearly reaffirmed that the continuing Israeli occupation was the main cause of suffering of the Palestinian people.  The arbitrary and unfair actions by the occupying Power, the constant use of military force, the creation of settlements and the use of psychological terrorism and threats had prevented the Palestinian people from achieving the most basic right to a free and dignified life.  Such practices ran counter to international law, including the Geneva Conventions. 

He noted the continued existence of the separation barrier, through which Israel had tried to annex close to 10 per cent of Palestinian territory.  Recalling the General Assembly resolution that Israel must comply with the International Court of Justice ruling that the barrier was illegal and that construction must stop immediately, the wall was still there.  That was one more example of Israel’s defiance, not only of the Palestinian people but of the international community, he said.  The Special Rapporteur had noted that there was nothing comforting in his report, which described in detail the inhuman treatment of the Palestinian people.  Kuwait joined the Special Rapporteur in making an urgent appeal to the international community to make every effort to put an end to such practices and called on Israel to abide by all international resolutions in that regard.

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For information media • not an official record