Israeli practices/Palestinian women – Third Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Sixtieth General Assembly

Third Committee

23^rd Meeting (AM)

HIGH COMMISSIONER LOUISE ARBOUR BRIEFS THIRD COMMITTEE ON EFFORTS

TO BETTER ASSIST STATES TO RESPOND TO HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to continue its general discussion of implementation of human rights instruments.  It was also expected to begin its debate on alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms; human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives; and the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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Human Rights Situations, Reports of Special Rapporteurs

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The Secretary-General’s note on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (document A/60/271) transmits the report of the Special Rapporteur on the subject.  According to the note, Israel’s continued construction of the wall in Palestinian territory and settlement expansion make it clear that the wall is designed to be Israel’s border and that the land of the “closed zone” is to be annexed.  The international community has made little effort to compel Israel to comply with its legal obligations as expounded by the International Court of Justice.  The Israeli Government is determined to defy final status negotiations for as long as possible, so that it can establish as many facts on the ground as possible before negotiations begin.  The international community should do its best to ensure that negotiations commence forthwith.

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The report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the issue of Palestinian pregnant women giving birth at Israeli checkpoints (document A/60/324) includes statistics from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).  The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its office on the ground will continue to compile information regarding the issue, in cooperation with the agencies represented in the United Nations Country Team.

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For information media • not an official record