Human Rights Council concludes 22nd session after adopting 39 texts – Human rights situation in the OATs, Golan/Fact-finding mission on settlements – Press release (excerpts)

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONCLUDES TWENTY-SECOND SESSION AFTER ADOPTING 39 TEXTS

22 March 2013

The Human Rights Council concluded its twenty-second regular session this afternoon after adopting two decisions, two Presidential statements, and 35 resolutions on a wide range of issues.  …

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The Council also adopted texts regarding the rehabilitation of torture victims; the prevention of genocide; the follow-up to the report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict; on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health; on the human rights situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories; on the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief; and on education as a tool to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

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Documentation, statements, resolutions and reports relating to this and all Human Rights Council sessions are available on its webpage. Detailed, speaker-by-speaker coverage of every public meeting can be found on the website of United Nations Information Service Geneva. The twenty-second session was held from 25 February to 22 March 2013. The twenty-third regular session of the Human Rights Council will be held from 27 May to 14 June 2013.

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Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 7 on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.3) regarding human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, the Council calls upon Israel to comply with relevant resolutions and to desist from its continuous building of settlements.  The Council determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel that seek to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void and have no legal effect.  The Council requests the Secretary-General to report on this matter to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.41) regarding the follow-up to the report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, the Council renews its recommendation to the General Assembly to remained apprised of the matter until it is satisfied that the appropriate action with regard to implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict is taken at the domestic or international level in order to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, and to remain also ready to consider whether additional action within its powers is required in the interests of justice. 

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.42) regarding Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the Occupied Syrian Golan, the Council expresses its grave concern at the continuing Israeli settlement and related activities; the increasing number of newly built structures, including a large number of permanent buildings and structures; the expansion of Israeli settlements and the construction of new ones; and the Israeli operating of a tramway between West Jerusalem and the settlement of Pisgat Zeec.  The Council calls upon Israel to take and implement serious measures, including the confiscation of arms and enforcement of criminal sanctions, with the aim of preventing acts of violence by Israeli settlers.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.43) regarding the right of Palestinian people to self-determination, the Council reaffirms the inalienable, permanent and unqualified right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.  The Council stresses the need for respect for and preservation of the territorial unity, continuity and integrity of all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and urges all Member States and relevant bodies of the United Nations system to support and assist the Palestinian people in the early realization of their right to self-determination.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.44) regarding the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, the Council demands that Israel cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people; comply fully with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention; cease all of its settlement activities.  The resolution calls upon Israel to cease its imposition of prolonged closures and economic and movement restrictions; and requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Council at its September session of 2013.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.45) regarding the follow-up to the report of the independent international fact-finding mission to investigate the implications of Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Council requests the Working Group on transnational corporations to take the necessary measures and actions relating to business activities connected to the illegal Israeli settlements and to report to the Council at its twenty-sixth session.  The Council also requests the Secretary-General to present a report detailing the implementation of the report of the independent international fact-finding mission to the Council at its twenty-fifth session; and the High Commissioner to submit to the Council a progress report on the implementation of the present resolution at its twenty-fourth session.

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For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC13/049E