DPR Monthly Bulletin – Vol. XVII, Nos. 01/02 – CEIRPP, DPR bulletin (January-February 1994) – DPR publication

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January/February 1994

Volume XVII, Bulletin Nos. 1/2

Contents

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I.   ELECTION FOR 1994 OF OFFICERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE

   OF THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE:

  STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

On 27 January 1994, the Committee unanimously elected H.E. Mr. Kéba Birane Cissé (Senegal) as Chairman, H.E. Mr. Fernando Ramirez de Estenoz Barciela (Cuba) and H.E. Mr. Ravan A.G. Farhadi (Afghanistan) as Vice-Chairmen and Mr. Joseph Cassar (Malta) as Rapporteur.

After congratulating the Chairman and other members of the Bureau on their re-election, the Secretary-General made the following statement (see SG/SM/5213/ – GA/PAL/646):

"This Committee continues to provide the United Nations with the benefit of its insights into efforts to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in the region based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).  For this, we owe you a debt of gratitude.

"The Committee is resuming its work on the basis of a General Assembly mandate which was renewed with the approval of the great majority of Member States.

"In this resolution, the Member States of the General Assembly welcomed the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-government Arrangements on 13 September 1994. The General Assembly also reaffirmed its permanent responsibility with respect to the question of Palestine.

"The General Assembly also emphasized the valuable and positive contributions which your Committee can make to promote the effective implementation of the Declaration of Principles. The report of the Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People, held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last April in Paris, outlined the important role of the Committee in mobilizing international support and assistance to the Palestinian people.

"The General Assembly also requested the Committee to continue its efforts to reach out to non-governmental organizations.  The role of non-governmental organizations, because of their presence on the ground, is crucial.  They have been working, with dedication and efficiency, to promote the  rights of the Palestinian people.  Coming from a variety of backgrounds, with diverse interests and specializations, non-governmental organizations have been, and continue to be, strong defenders of the human rights of Palestinians.  Their contribution to development, education and health have indeed been valuable.

"As negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) progress, and as self-government becomes a reality, the support of the international community will become more important than ever.

"It is this support, in the form of multilateral and bilateral assistance, which will help in the difficult days of transition.  The United Nations, through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), is present in the field.  Other agencies of the United Nations system have sent missions, and are actively exploring avenues for cooperation in this process.

"Coordination of such assistance is essential. The General Assembly emphasized this point in the recent resolution on assistance to the Palestinian people which, inter alia, requested me to ensure that the work of the United Nations system in this regard is properly coordinated.  I have, therefore, decided to appoint a senior official of the United Nations, resident in the area, with the special task of overseeing coordination arrangements for the interim period.

"The rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights to self-determination and development, are ably defended by your Committee, and I commend your efforts in this respect.

"I wish you all success in your work.  You may rest assured that my colleagues and I will continue to do our utmost to assist you in the fulfilment of your mandate."

II.  ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE

   INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

On 25 January 1994, the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People wrote the following letter to the Secretary-General (A/48/883 -S/1994/220):

"In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, I wish to draw your most urgent attention to the tragic massacre of unarmed Palestinian worshippers in Hebron today.

"The Cable News Network (CNN) has confirmed that an American-born Jewish settler from Qiryat Arba, armed with a machine gun and wearing a uniform of the Israeli Reserve, entered the Hebron Mosque during prayer and proceeded to shoot, in cold blood, at the Palestinian worshippers, killing over 50 and wounding at least 100.  Unconfirmed reports indicated that the Israeli troops guarding the Mosque did not intervene to stop the attack for over 10 minutes.

"In the wake of this massacre, violence has spread elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territory and clashes were reported at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and in Gaza and other areas. The Committee is seriously concerned at reports of shootings by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian demonstrators.

"The Committee condemns the massacre in the strongest terms.  It wishes to remind the international community that, as long as Israeli forces occupy the Palestinian territory, Israel bears sole responsibility for the protection of Palestinians, as the occupying Power in accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949.

"The Committee has noted statements of Israeli leaders, in particular Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, expressing regret and sorrow to Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat and condemning the act as murder. The Committee calls on the Israeli Government to take immediate action to control and disarm the settlers and others opposed to the recent agreements and to restrain the actions of its soldiers in order to defuse tension and restore credibility to the peace process.  Moreover, the Committee believes that only rapid and consistent progress in the current negotiations leading to the disengagement of Israeli forces and self-rule for Palestinians will prevent the current situation from deteriorating even further.  The Committee calls on all concerned to do everything possible to surmount the current obstacles and to advance towards full implementation of the agreements that have been reached.

"I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter circulated as a document of the forty-eighth session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 35, and of the Security Council."

III.   SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS "DESPICABLE ACT OF VIOLENCE BY

       ISRAELI SETTLER", APPEALS FOR CALM ON PART OF ALL CONCERNED

On 25 February 1994, the following statement was issued by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (See SG/SM/5232):

"The Secretary-General has learned with revulsion and outrage of the shooting massacre that occurred this morning at the al-Ibrahimi Mosque (Tomb of the Patriarchs) in the occupied West Bank town of Hebron.  He condemns in the strongest possible terms this despicable act of violence by an Israeli settler in which dozens of innocent Palestinian worshippers were killed and scores wounded.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the unrest generated throughout the occupied territories in reaction to this incident and the impact that this may have on negotiations between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Government of Israel.  He appeals for calm on the part of all concerned, so that the implementation of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Interim Self-Government Arrangements may proceed without delay.  At the same time, he calls on the Israeli authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that settlers refrain from such criminal acts."

On 28 February 1994, the following statement was issued by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General (See SG/SM/5234):

"The Secretary-General met on Friday evening, 25 February, with the Permanent Representative of Egypt and the Permanent Observer for Palestine, who requested the meeting on behalf of the Arab group to discuss the Hebron massacre.

"The two ambassadors conveyed to the Secretary-General the grave concerns of the Arab group over the massacre committed against Palestinian worshippers in El-Ibrahim mosque in Hebron, and the negative implications it may have on the peace process.

"The Secretary-General told the two ambassadors that he was closely following the situation in the occupied territories and was in contact with the parties concerned.  He expressed his hope that every effort would be made to keep the peace process on track."

IV.   PRESIDENT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY EXPRESSES SHOCK AT HEBRON MASSACRE,

    SAYS MURDEROUS VIOLENCE MUST BE UNRESERVEDLY CONDEMNED

On 25 February 1994, the following statement was issued by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. S.R. Insanally (Guyana) (See GA/8651):

"It is with shock and dismay that the world learned of the massacre of people at prayer today in their mosque in Hebron.

"This murderous violence must be unreservedly condemned.  Everything must be done by the authorities concerned to prevent or punish these acts, as well as to calm the unrest which such crimes can only provoke.

"The only good this latest spasm of violence in the occupied West Bank can do is bring home to the parties directly concerned, as well as to the whole family of nations, the need to implement, and to support, without further delay or hesitation the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Interim Self-Government Arrangements.

"Along with people of goodwill everywhere, I send deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of this incident and its aftermath and urge that medical and other help be quickly provided to the wounded and suffering."

V.    COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEWS PRELIMINARY REPORT

      OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR: ADOPTS FIVE RESOLUTIONS RELATING

      TO THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE: RECEIVES OTHER INFORMATION

    ON PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS

The Commission on Human Rights began its fiftieth session at Geneva on 31 January 1994.  On the second day, a statement was made by Mr. Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the PLO.  The Commission considered the question of Palestine under items 4 and 9 of its agenda, entitled respectively "Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied territories, including Palestine" and "The right of peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation".

Under item 4, the Commission heard a report by the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Rene Felber, appointed under Commission resolution 1993/2 A of 19 February 1993.  The Rapporteur, who had paid an unprecedented visit to Israel and the occupied territories in January 1994, submitted the following preliminary conclusions in his report (E/CN.4/1994/14);

"In examining the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, account must be taken of a basic factor referred to by most of the persons with whom the Special Rapporteur spoke during his mission, both Palestinian and Israeli, namely, the continued decline of the standard of living during more than 25 years of occupation.  This concern must be a main focus of efforts to improve the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.  During his conversation with the Special Rapporteur, the Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs said that raising the standard of living should be the top priority.  Mrs. Hanan Ashrawi also emphasized this aspect by stressing the interdependence of the economic development of the territories and the enjoyment of human rights by their inhabitants.

"Nevertheless, this observation can in no way absolve the Israeli Government from applying all the international principles of human rights and humanitarian law espoused by the State of Israel, as well as the relevant principles of customary law. In addition, these principles should also be observed by the Palestinians, regardless of the fact that they have not formally subscribed to the treaties in question.

"For the reasons given in section I, this report is only of a preliminary nature and is inevitably incomplete in that the Special Rapporteur did not have time to conduct more extensive first hand inquiries on the spot.  The Commission will appreciate the fact that, despite the severe constraints which circumstances imposed on him, he has endeavoured to seize every opportunity that presents itself in forming his opinion.  The Special Rapporteur, in accordance with the wishes expressed by all the Palestinians with whom he spoke, is ready to continue his work and to visit the territories at the earliest opportunity, taking account also of current political developments."

On 18 February, the Commission adopted the following resolutions under item 4:

1994/1.  Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Recalling that, in accordance with article l3, paragraph 2, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country,

"Reaffirming that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of l2 August l949, is applicable to Palestinian and all Arab territories occupied by Israel since l967, including Jerusalem,

"Recalling its resolutions l990/l of l6 February l990, l99l/3 of l5 February l99l, l992/3 of l4 February l992 and l993/3 of 19 February l993 which, inter alia, reaffirmed the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories,

"Gravely concerned at the establishment by the Israeli Government of settlers in the occupied territories, which may change the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied territories,

"Welcoming the positive development which originated with the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, convened at Madrid on 30 October l99l, including in particular the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements signed by the Israeli Government and the Palestine Liberation Organization on l3 September l993, as well as all the efforts for the creation of a peaceful and stable environment in the Middle East,

"Noting the report submitted by the Special Rapporteur pursuant to resolution l993/2 A of 19 February l993 (E/CN.4/l994/l4) and referring to information provided to him on confiscation of land by the Israeli authorities before and after the signing of the Declaration of Principles on l3 September l993,

"Convinced that a complete cessation by Israel of its policy of settlement would constitute, especially at the present stage of the process, a meaningful contribution to the creation of a peaceful and stable environment,

"l. Reaffirms that the installation of Israeli civilians in the occupied territories is illegal and constitutes a violation of the relevant provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of l2 August l949;

"2. Regrets that the Government of Israel has not fully complied with the provisions of Commission on Human Rights resolutions l990/l, l99l/3, l992/3 and l993/3;

"3. Urges the Government of Israel to abstain from installing any settlers in the occupied territories."

1994/2.  Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Deeply concerned at the suffering of the population of the Syrian and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since l967 and the continued Israeli military occupation, and that the human rights of the population continue to be violated,

"Recalling Security Council resolution 497 (l99l) of l7 December l991, in which the Council, inter alia, decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect, and demanded that Israel should rescind forthwith its decision,

"Recalling General Assembly resolutions 36/226 B of l7 December l98l, ES-9/l of 5 February l992, 37/88 E of l0 December l982, 38/79 F of l5 December l983, 39/95 F of l4 December l984, 40/l6l F of l6 December l985, 4l/63 F of 3 December l986, 42/l60 F of 8 December l987, 43/21 of 3 November l988, 43/58 F of 6 December l989, 44/2 of 6 October l989, 45/74 F of ll December l990, 46/47 F of 9 December l99l, 47/70 F of l4 December l992 and 48/4l D of l0 December l993,

"Recalling also General Assembly resolution 34l4 (XXX) of 9 December l976 and other relevant resolutions in which the Assembly, inter alia, demanded the immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal of Israel from the Arab territories occupied since l967,

"Recalling further General Assembly resolution 33l4 (XXlX) of l4 December l974, in which it defined an act of aggression,

"Reaffirming once more the illegality of Israel's decision of l4 December l99l to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, which has resulted in the effective annexation of that territory,

"Reaffirming that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible under the principles of international law and under the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, and that all territories thus occupied by Israel must be returned,

"Taking note with deep concern of the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/48/557) and, in this connection, deploring Israel's constant refusal to cooperate with and to receive the Special Committee,

"Expressing its grave alarm, after considering the above-mentioned report of the Special Committee, over Israel's flagrant and persistent violations of human rights in the Syrian and other Arab territories occupied since l967, despite the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly which repeatedly called upon Israel to put an end to such occupation,

"Reaffirming its previous relevant resolutions, the most recent being resolution 1993/l of 19 February 1993,

"Guided by the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with particular reference to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of l2 August 1949, and the relevant provisions of the Hague Conventions of l899 and 1907,

"l. Strongly condemns Israel, the occupying Power, for its refusal to comply with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, particularly resolution 497 (198l), in which the Council, inter alia, decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect, and demanded that Israel, the occupying Power, should rescind forthwith its decision;

"2. Condemns the persistence of Israel in changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and emphasizes that the displaced persons of the population of the occupied Syrian Golan must be allowed to return to their homes and to recover their properties;

"3. Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel, the occupying Power, that purport to alter the character and legal status of the Syrian Golan are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of l2 August 1949, and have no legal effect;

"4. Strongly condemns Israel for its attempt to impose forcibly Israeli citizenship and Israeli identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and for its practices of annexation, establishment of settlements, confiscation of lands and diversion of water resources and imposing a boycott on their agricultural products;  and calls upon Israel to desist from its settlement designs and policies aimed against academic institutions with the goal of serving the objectives of occupation, and to desist from its repressive measures against the population of the occupied Syrian Golan;

"5. Calls once again upon Member States not to recognize any of the legislative or administrative measures and actions referred to in the present resolution;

"6. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Governments, the competent United Nations organs, the specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations and international humanitarian organizations and to give it the widest possible publicity, and to report to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-first session;

"7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-first session, as a matter of high priority, the item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine."

1994/3.  Question of the violation of human rights in the

         occupied Arab territories, including Palestine

A

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as by the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

"Guided also by the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

"Taking into consideration the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of l2 August 1949, and the provisions of Additional Protocol I thereto, and the Hague Convention IV of 1907, as well as the principles of international law affirmed by the General Assembly in its resolutions 3 (I) of l3 February 1946, 95 (I) of ll December 1946, 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948 and 239l (XXIII) of 26 November 1968,

"Recalling the relevant Security Council resolutions,

"Recalling also the General Assembly resolutions on Israeli violations of human rights in occupied Palestine, since 1967 and until now,

"Recalling further the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights,

"Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Rene Felber, regarding his mission undertaken in accordance with commission resolution 1993/2 A of 19 February 1993 (E/CN.4/1994/l4),

"Taking note also of the reports of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories submitted to the General Assembly since 1968,

"Noting with great concern the continued Israeli refusal to abide by the resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights,

"Welcoming the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on l3 September 1993, whereby violations of human rights will end through the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territories,

"Recalling all its previous resolutions on the subject,

"l. Deeply regrets the continued violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory since the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organizations on l3 September 1993;

"2. Condemns the continued violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel with military force, including Jerusalem, and, in particular, the opening of fire by the Israeli army and settlers on Palestinian civilians that results in killing and wounding them, the imposition of restrictive economic measures, the demolition of houses, the expropriation of houses, collective punishment, arbitrary and administrative detention of thousands of Palestinians without trial; the confiscation of property of Palestinians; the expropriation of land; the prevention of travel; the closure of universities and schools; the perpetration of crimes of torture in Israeli prisons and detention centres; and the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory;

"3. Calls once more upon Israel, the occupying Power, to desist from all forms of violation of human rights in the Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories and to respect the bases of international law, the principles of international humanitarian law, and its commitments to the provisions of the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations;

"4. Also calls upon Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights;

"5. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of the Government of Israel and all other Governments, the competent United Nations organs, the specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations and international humanitarian organizations, to disseminate it on the widest possible scale, and to report on its implementation by the Government of Israel to the Commission of Human Rights at its fifty-first session;

"6.  Also requests the Secretary-General to provide the Commission on Human Rights with all United Nations reports issued between sessions of the Commission that deal with the conditions in which the citizens of the Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories are living under the Israeli occupation;

"7. Decides to consider the question at its fifty-first session as a matter of priority."

B

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Recalling Security Council resolutions related to the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories, which call for Israel's commitment to them,

"Recalling all relevant General Assembly resolutions on the applicability to the occupied Palestinian territory of the Convention which urge Israel's commitment to and respect for their provisions,

"Recalling also the decisions of the International Conference of the Red Cross, and the International Conference for the Protection of War Victims (Geneva, 30 August-1 September 1993) in respect of the application of the Convention in all circumstances and the statements of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which condemn the continuous serious violations by Israel of the provisions of the Convention and its refusal to apply those provisions in the occupied territories,

"Recalling further the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference of Human Rights,

"Taking into account that States parties to the Convention undertake, in accordance with article 1 thereof, to respect, and ensure respect for, the Convention in all circumstances,

"Recalling all its previous resolutions on the subject,

"1. Reaffirms that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, is applicable to the Palestinian and all other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and that Israel's long-standing refusal to apply the Convention to those territories had led to the perpetration by the Israeli authorities of grave violations of human rights against Palestinian citizens, and calls upon Israel to comply with its international commitments, to respect the Convention and to apply it in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem;

"2. Urges once more all States parties to the Convention to make every effort to ensure the Israeli occupation authorities' respect for and compliance with the provisions of the Convention in the Palestinian and all other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to undertake the necessary practical measures to ensure the provision of international protection for the Palestinian people under occupation, in accordance with the provisions of article 1 and other relevant articles of the Convention;

"3. Strongly condemns once more the refusal of Israel to apply the Convention to Palestine and the Arab territories occupied since 1967 and to their inhabitants, Israel's policies of perpetrating crimes of torture against Palestinian detainees and prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention camps and its continued deliberate disregard for the provisions of the Convention, in contravention of resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights;

"4. Calls upon Israel to allow those who have been deported since 1967 to return to their homeland without delay in implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights;

"5. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of the Government of Israel and all other Governments, the competent United Nations organs, the specialized agencies, regional intergovernmental organizations, international humanitarian organizations and non-governmental organizations, and to report on progress in its implementation by the Government of Israel to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-first session;

"6. Decides to consider the question at its fifty-first session as a matter of high priority."

The Commission also adopted the following resolutions under item 9:

1994/4.   Middle East Peace Process

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/58 on the Middle East peace process, adopted on 14 December 1993,

"Recalling also the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights,

"Stressing that the achievement of a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict will constitute a significant contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security and is an indispensable condition for the furthering of human rights in the region,

"Recalling the convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East at Madrid on 30 October 1991, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973 and the subsequent bilateral negotiations, as well as the meetings of the multilateral working groups, and noting with satisfaction the broad international support for the peace process,

"Noting the continuing positive participation of the United Nations as a full extraregional participant in the work of the multilateral working groups,

"Bearing in mind the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993,

"1. Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

"2. Emphasizes that the achievement of such a peace is vital for the full implementation of human rights in the area;

"3. Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid and supports the subsequent bilateral negotiations;

"4. Expresses its full support for the achievements of the peace process thus far, in particular the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the Agreement between Israel and Jordan on the Common Agenda, which constitute an important initial step in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and urges all parties to implement agreements reached;

"5. Considers that an active United Nations role in the Middle East peace process and in assisting in the implementation of the Declaration of Principles can make a positive contribution."

1994/5.   Situation in occupied Palestine

"The Commission on Human Rights,

"Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the provisions of Articles 1 and 55 thereof, which affirm the right of peoples to self-determination, and scrupulous respect of the principle of refraining in international relations from the threat or use of force, as specified in the Declaration on Principles of International law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

"Guided also by the provisions of article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirm that all peoples have the right of self-determination,

"Taking into consideration the provisions of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960,

"Guided by the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights, and in particular Part I, paragraphs 2 and 3 relating to the right of self-determination of all peoples and especially those subject to foreign occupation,

"Noting Security Council resolutions 183 (1963) of 11 December 1963 and 218 (1965) of 23 November 1865, which affirmed the interpretation of the principle of self-determination as laid down in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV),

"Recalling General Assembly resolutions 181 A and B (II) of 29 November 1947 and 194 (III) of 11 December 1948, as well as all other resolutions which confirm and define the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination without external interference and to the establishment of their independent State on their national soil, especially Assembly resolutions ES-7/2 of 29 July 1980 and 37/86 E of 20 December 1982,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions in this regard,

"Bearing in mind the reports and recommendations of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People which, from 1976 to 1993, have been submitted to the Security Council through the General Assembly,

"Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the relevant United Nations resolutions and declarations, and the provisions of international covenants and instruments relating to the right of self-determination as an international principle and as a right of all peoples in the world,

"Expressing its grave concern at the persistence of Israel in preventing by force the Palestinian people from enjoying their inalienable rights, in particular their right to self-determination,

"Recalling that the foreign occupation by the armed forces of a State of territory of another State constitutes an obstacle and a grave violation of human rights according to Part I, paragraph 30 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and an act of aggression and a crime against the peace and security of mankind, according to General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974,

"Expressing its grave concern that no just solution has been achieved to the problem of Palestine, which has constituted the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict since 1948,

"Welcoming the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements signed by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993, aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to achieve their national rights and, principally, their right to self-determination free of external intervention,

"1. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination without external interference;

"2. Calls upon Israel to comply with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law and to withdraw from the Palestinian and other Arab territories which it has occupied since 1967 by military force, including Jerusalem, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, so as to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their universally-recognized rights of self-determination;

"3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to the Government of Israel and to all other Governments, to distribute it on the widest possible scale and to make available to the Commission on Human Rights, prior to the convening of its fifty-first session, all information pertaining to the implementation of the present resolution by the Government of Israel;

"4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda for its fifty-first session the item entitled "The right of peoples to self-determination and its application  to peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation" and to consider the situation in occupied Palestine under that item, as a matter of high priority."

The Commission on Human Rights also had before it information on various aspects of the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories collected within the framework of other special procedures and items on its agenda, namely:

– Extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions; report of the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, submitted pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/71 (E/CN.4/1994/7 and Add. 2);

– Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (E/CN.4 1994/26);

– Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (E/CN.4/1994/27);

– Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; report of the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Nigel S. Rodley, submitted pursuant to Commission of Human Rights resolution 1992/32 (E/CN.4/1994/31).

The following press release was issued by the Commission on Human Rights on 25 February 1994 (see HR/CN/538):

"The Commission on Human Rights this afternoon adopted a statement by its Chairman, Peter van Wullften Palthe (Netherlands), deploring the massacre early today of innocent Palestinian civilians in the West Bank town of Hebron, as well as the violence which followed, resulting in the loss of human life in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"The Commission took note of the unequivocal condemnation of this act by the Israeli Government and demanded that the Israeli occupying authorities assume their responsibilities with respect to the prevention of such crimes and the punishment of those responsible.  Such incidents, the statement concluded, were inherent in a system of violence which threatened the peace process."

VI.    UNRWA EXPRESSES SHOCK OVER KILLINGS AND INJURIES IN WEST BANK MOSQUE

The following press release was issued by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on 25 February 1994 (See PAL/111):

"The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Ilter Türkmen, expressed his profound shock and concern over the massacre of Palestinians while they were praying early this morning at the al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank town of Hebron.  Preliminary reports indicated that more than 50 Palestinians died as a result of the attack and about 10 were killed in subsequent outbreaks of violence.  More than 300 Palestinians were reported injured by noon today. The final number of deaths and injuries is not yet known.

"'I am stunned and saddened at this unprecedented loss of life', the Commissioner-General said. 'The magnitude of the casualties and the circumstances of the attack are truly appalling'.

"UNRWA immediately mobilized its resources to assist the affected Palestinians.  The Agency directed its ambulances to the Hebron area and sent blood and other medical supplies from its clinics and stores to the hospitals in Hebron and elsewhere.  UNRWA helped to redeploy medical staff to assist Hebron hospitals which were overwhelmed by the casualties.

"UNRWA was also concerned about the eruption of violence in Hebron and in other parts of the West Bank following the attack of the al-Ibrahimi Mosque, which resulted in additional deaths and injuries.  The Hebron area has been placed under curfew.  Hebron and other areas have been declared closed military zones.  UNRWA's emergency teams are operating in those areas of tension.

"The Commissioner-General appealed to the Israeli authorities to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a further escalation in violence and expressed his hope that calm could prevail in the West Bank and Gaza at this critical juncture.

"On behalf of the Agency and staff, Mr. Türkmen extended his heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families."

VII.   PRESIDENT OF THE SIXTH SUMMIT HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE

       ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ISSUE STATEMENT:

       STATEMENT ADOPTED BY THE MEMBER STATES OF THE OIC IN NEW YORK

The following text was issued by the office of H.E. Mr. Abdou Diouf, President of the Sixth Islamic Conference on 25 February 1994 (See A/48/890 – S/1994/242):

"Over 50 innocent Palestinians have just been massacred in Hebron in the West Bank as they were saying early-morning prayers today, Friday, 25 February 1994 in Al-Khalil (Tomb of the Patriarchs).

"In condemning in the most emphatic terms this indescribable act, I should like, in my capacity as President of the Sixth Islamic Conference, to say that all the States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) share in the cruel ordeal just inflicted on the fraternal people of Palestine.

"Coming at the very moment when in Paris and in Cairo Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were making real progress towards implementing Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho, this odious crime is undoubtedly aimed at undermining the very positive gains already made in regard to the exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights.

"But for those who know the maturity of spirit characterizing the leadership which the Palestinian people has freely chosen, that manoeuvre will fail as have those earlier manoeuvres by the enemies of peace in the Middle East.  All peace-loving peoples should work towards that end.

"For my part, in reiterating our support for the Palestinian people, I appeal to the Israeli leaders to do their utmost to prevent an escalation of violence, which can only damage the peace process.

"I am also launching an appeal for rapid implementation of the Washington Agreement containing the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian autonomy, which remains a prerequisite for the cessation of tension and conflict."

The following text was issued by the office of the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations and Chairman of the OIC Group in New York on 25 February 1994 (See S/1994/223):

"The peoples and the Governments of the member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference are deeply shocked, distressed and anguished by the barbaric and cold-blooded attack in a mosque in Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi in Al-Khalil early this morning which resulted in the martyrdom of over 50 innocent people and seriously injuring more than 100 worshippers who were fasting and offering their morning prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.  They strongly condemn and deeply deplore this wanton act of terrorism.

"The member States of OIC extend their heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.

"The member States of OIC call for the immediate convening of the Security Council in order to investigate this matter which could have serious implications for peace and security in the region as well as the ongoing peace process.  They urge that those behind this cowardly attack should be brought to justice.

"The member States of OIC call for the immediate implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular, resolution 681 (1990).  They recall that the occupying power has a responsibility to protect the Palestinian people in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention which is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Shareef and the will of the international community, as manifested in relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.  They also call for an immediate end to the Israeli policies of repression against the Palestinian people.

"The member States of OIC reaffirm the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people including their inalienable right to self-determination and reiterate the need for the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Al-Quds Al-Shareef and from the other occupied Arab territories.  They call upon the United Nations to continue to play an active role in the current peace process and express the hope that it will lead to the early establishment of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East."

VIII.   LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES ADOPTS RESOLUTION AT ITS EMERGENCY

        MEETING ON 27 FEBRUARY CONCERNING THE HEBRON MASSACRE

The following text was submitted by H.E. Nabil A. Elaraby, Chairman of the Arab Group, on 28 February 1995 (See S/1994/233):

"The Israeli massacre of Palestinians

in the Ibrahimi Mosque

"The Council of the League of Arab States, meeting in extraordinary session on 17 Ramadan A.H. 1414 (27 February A.D. 1994),

"Having taken cognizance of:

"- A letter from Mr. Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, concerning the massacre perpetrated by Israeli settlers inside the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, killing dozens and injuring hundreds among the Palestinian congregation at prayers; and

"- A memorandum on the incident prepared by the General Secretariat,

"Having followed the developments in this incident and its dire effects and having heard the discussions which took place during its meeting.

Decides

"1. To condemn the Israeli crime against the defenceless Palestinian citizens at prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque on 15 Ramadan A.H. 1414 (25 February A.D. 1994) and to deem it an act of terrorism;

"2. To place upon the Israeli occupation authorities the responsibility for this crime and the crimes committed by Israeli settlers by reason of the continuing practices and measures adopted by those authorities; and to call upon them to disarm the Israeli settlers immediately;

"3. To affirm the call contained in League Council resolution No. 5269, adopted at its extraordinary session on 11 and 12 February 1993 asking the United Nations to establish an appropriate mechanism for the implementation of the fourth Geneva Convention through the assignment of an international force to provide protection to Arab citizens in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, with a view to the implementation of the provisions of Security Council resolution 681 (1990); and to call upon the co-sponsors of the Madrid Conference, on the basis of their responsibility to ensure the success of the peace process, to play a major role in ensuring the necessary protection for the Palestinian people in the occupied territories;

"4. To call upon the Security Council to send an international commission to investigate the grave incident and to take the necessary measures to enable the commission to carry out its mandate;

"5. Calling upon the Security Council, in particular the two co-sponsors of the Peace Conference, for the immediate implementation of the Security Council resolutions ruling the Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab territories illegitimate and a serious obstacle to the achievement of a comprehensive and just peace, in particular Security Council resolution 465 (1980) concerning the dismantling of existing settlements and a halt to planning for new settlements in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem;

"6. To call upon the co-sponsors of the Conference to make a serious endeavour to ensure the success of the efforts for peace by halting Israeli procrastination, putting an end to the occupation of Arab territories, and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise its inalienable national rights, including its right to self-determination and the establishment of its independent State with Jerusalem as its capital;

"7. To consider 15 Ramadan each year as a day for the commemoration of the martyrs of the massacre in the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and to appeal to international public opinion to perpetrate this commemoration in order to remind the international community of Israel's inhumane practices;

"8. To invite the Arab States to furnish all kinds of assistance to the families of the victims and martyrs among the Palestinian people;

"9. To instruct the Secretary-General to maintain contact with all international parties in order to ensure the implementation of this resolution and urge them to take all appropriate measures to protect Palestinians in the occupied territories."

IX.   EUROPEAN UNION ISSUES DECLARATION ON THE EVENTS IN HEBRON

The following text was issued by the Permanent Representative of Greece on behalf of the European Union on 28 February 1994 (See A/48/886 – S/1994/231):

"The European Union expresses profound indignation at the bloodshed which took place in Hebron yesterday, leaving many Palestinians dead and wounded.

"The European Union strongly condemns all acts of violence and extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

"While noting that the events have been condemned by the Israeli Government, the European Union holds that the authorities in the occupied territories must take full responsibility for protecting the inhabitants; the Union also calls for a full and immediate inquiry into the circumstances of the massacre.

"The tragic events in Hebron highlight once again the importance of the peace process; there must be no undermining or delay of that process.

"The European Union calls upon the parties to refuse to allow themselves to be drawn into a spiral of violence and to step up their efforts to speed up the process that has been started."

X.   ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS

     ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ON THE

    QUESTION OF PALESTINE: ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE HEBRON MASSACRE

At its fifty-ninth ordinary session held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 31 January to 4 February 1994, the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) adopted the following resolutions [See CM/Res. 1491 and 1492 (LIX)]:

Resolution on the situation in the Middle East

"…

"Having considered the report of the OAU Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East as contained in Document CM/1807 (LIX),

"Guided by the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charters of the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations; and the common determination of the African and Arab peoples to pool their resources in order to safeguard their sovereignty and retrieve their basic legitimate rights,

"Recalling that the Palestinian Question is the root-cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East:

"1.  Reaffirms all the previous resolutions adopted by the Council of Ministers and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, and reiterates its total support to the Palestinian people and the Arab countries to bring an end to the Israeli occupation and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

"2.  Reaffirms that the question of Palestine and Holy Jerusalem is the root-cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict and that a comprehensive just and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be realized without the complete Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian and Arab occupied territories, including Holy Jerusalem, Syrian Golan Heights, and Southern Lebanon, and allow the Palestinian People to exercise their national inalienable and imprescriptible rights;

"3.  "Express its total support to the efforts being deployed to realize a lasting and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian Question and the Arab/Israeli conflicts in consonance with the international resolutions especially United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978) and the principle of "Land for Peace, the national and political rights of the Palestinian People and the resolution of problems of Palestinian Refugees in conformity with the United Nations resolutions, especially resolutions 194 (III) and resolution 237 (1967);

"4.  Calls on all States, International Organizations and investment institutions to provide economic and financial assistance to the Palestinian Council for Reconstruction and Development (PECAR) to enable it to exploit and develop the resources of the Palestinian lands and rehabilitate the infrastructures of the national Palestinian economy which were destroyed by Israeli occupation;

"5.  Calls on the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies to intensify their efforts in the economic development of the Arab Occupied Territories;

"6.  Requests the implementation of all resolutions adopted at the various International Fora against Israel which continues to violate the United Nations resolutions and other international instruments including the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, so as to eliminate the practice of double standards in the application of international resolutions;

"7.  Strongly urges Israel to implement the resolutions of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency which call on Israel to subject all its nuclear facilities to the safety regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency;

"8.  Reiterates its support to the proposal of H.E. President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt to make the Middle East a nuclear-free zone, free from all weapons of mass destruction;

"9.  Reaffirms its call on the co-sponsors of the Peace Conference to invite the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity to participate in the Peace Conference in view of the importance that the Organization of African Unity attaches to the search for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East and the settlement of the Palestinian Question;

"10.  Calls on the Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity to follow the developments in the Middle East and report to them to the forthcoming session of the Council.

Resolution on the question of Palestine

"…

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity on the Palestine Question as contained in Document CM/1808 (LIX),

"Recalling the relevant resolutions adopted by the previous sessions of the Council of Ministers and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity on the Palestine Question,

"Reaffirming the legitimacy of the struggle of the Palestinian People under the leadership of the PLO, their sole legitimate representative, to retrieve their occupied territories and exercise their national inalienable rights, as well as the struggle of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent State with Jerusalem as its capital,

"Reaffirming the reaching a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict in the Middle East and the Palestine Question which is the core of the problem, will contribute immensely to the promotion of international peace and security,

"Welcoming the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on 13 September 1993 between Israel and the PLO, the representative of the Palestine People concerning arrangements for interim self-government:

"1.  Reaffirms all the previous resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Council of Ministers and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity on the Palestine Question;

"2.  Reaffirms also that the Palestine Question is the root cause of the conflict in the Middle East and that the establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region requires the following:

"(a)  Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Jerusalem and the recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination;

"(b)  Cessation of all acts of violence and the release of all prisoners and detainees in compliance with the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949;

"(c)  The need to consider Jerusalem an integral part of the occupied Palestinian land with the same status as the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council;

"(d)  An end to the establishment of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem and the provision of international guarantees in this regard in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly resolution 465 (1980) of the Security Council;

"(e)  The need to consider Israel's decision to impose its laws, authority and administration on Jerusalem illegal and therefore null and void and the need for all states to refrain from opening or moving their embassies to Jerusalem in compliance with the provisions of resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council;

"(f)  Establishment of links between the various phases of the settlement process until a final and comprehensive solution is found in accordance with resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) of the Security Council, affirming the right of the Palestinian people to exercise sovereignty over their land, water and natural resources and to manage their own political and economic affairs in an exclusive manner;

"3.  Reaffirms the need to solve the problem of Palestinian refugees based on the principles of human rights and in accordance with the provision of the relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly resolution 194 (III) of the General Assembly;

"4.  Expresses its appreciation for the efforts made by the PLO at bilateral and multilateral peace talks in order to find a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian Question;

"5.  Welcomes and supports the peace process which began in Madrid and the subsequent negotiations aimed at finding a peaceful, just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East involving the parties concerned;

"6.  Expresses its support for the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, between the Israel and the PLO, which deals with arrangements for interim self-government as a first important step towards the implementation of the principle of land for peace which should be followed by similar urgent steps at all levels;

"7.  Calls upon Israel to implement the agreements concluded with the PLO and withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories on schedule;

"8.  Welcomes the outcome of the International Donor Conference convened by President Clinton in Washington on 1 October 1993 to assist the Palestinian people in building their infrastructure and developing their economy;

"9.  Requests the Secretary-General of the OAU to monitor developments concerning the Palestinian Question and to submit a report thereon to the next session of the OAU Council of Ministers."

The following statement was issued by the Executive Secretariat of the Organization of African Unity to the United Nations on 3 March 1994 (See NY/OAU/BUR/58/94):

"The Organization of African Unity wishes to recall that the OAU Secretary General had recently condemned, while on tour of Southern Africa, the slaughter of 52 Palestinians on Friday, 25 February 1994 by Israeli settlers, in a Hebron Mosque.

"The OAU reiterates this condemnation of the barbaric act, which was made all the more revolting as the victims of the massacre were at their morning prayers.  Such unchecked acts of violence do not bode well for the attainment of peace in the region and can take the peace process back by many steps.

"The OAU calls on the international community to redouble its efforts in assisting the protagonists of the Middle East conflict to resolve their differences in their talks so as to achieve just and lasting peace and thereby spare the lives of innocent people.  The OAU also calls on the Israeli authorities to take immediate measures to ensure that such an atrocity does not recur in the future."

XI.   EXCERPTS FROM COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE COMMITTEE ON PALESTINE

   OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT

On 1 March 1994, the following text was issued by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (See S/1994/239):

"The Committee on Palestine of the Non-Aligned Movement was convened in New York on 1 March 1994, under the chairmanship of H.E. Ambassador Witjaksana Soegarda of Indonesia, to consider the grave situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, resulting from the massacre in Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi mosque in Al-Khalil (Hebron) on 25 February 1994 committed by armed Israeli settlers.

"….

"The Committee strongly condemns this barbaric and bloody attack on worshippers who were praying in the mosque and which caused the death of more than 60 Palestinian civilians and injured several hundred others.  This dastardly attack while unprecedented in magnitude was followed by the killing of Palestinians by Israeli forces and the closure of many areas as military zones.

"In view of the dangerous situation now prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, the Committee believes that it is incumbent upon the international community to take decisive measures in order to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories.  In this context, it is Israel's responsibility to disarm the settlers pending the dismantling of illegal settlements. Furthermore, the safety and security of Palestinians should be ensured during the transitional period through an appropriately structured international presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.

"The Committee reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 to all the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem.

"In this context, the Committee, while reaffirming the permanent responsibility of the United Nations over the question of Palestine, calls upon the Security Council to take immediate remedial measures to forestall the recurrence of similar acts in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem.

"Finally, the Committee has decided to closely monitor the developments in the occupied Palestinian territory in order to ensure that they are conducive to the implementation of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Interim Self-Government Arrangements, as a step towards exercising their inalienable rights to self-determination and independence."

XII.  MEMBER STATES ISSUE STATEMENTS ON THE HEBRON MASSACRE

Statements were issued by the following Member States:

· Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia (A/48/887 – S/1994/237);

· Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darrussalam (A/48/894 – S/1994/256);

· Ministry of External Affairs of India (A/48/888 – S/1994/238);

· Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Jordan (A/48/885 – S/1994/214);

· Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait (S/1994/229);

· Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia (A/48/892 – S/1994/247)

· President F. Ramos of the Philippines (press release issued by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations);

· Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan (S/1994/244);

· President Clinton of the United States of America (press release issued on 25 February 1994 by the United States Mission to the United Nations).

XIII.    NEW BOOK ON "ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN DIALOGUE"

         PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

The Department of Public Information (DPI), on 10 February 1994, announced the publication of Jerusalem, Visions of Reconciliation: an Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue, a 160-page book representing the proceedings of the encounter for Greek journalists on the question of Palestine organized by the Department, with the support of the Greek Government, in Athens last April.

The book (Sales No. E.94.1.3) covers the debate that took place at the encounter on the question of Jerusalem, past, present and future.  The discussion maps out the issues which Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will have to contend with when the city's status comes to the forefront of the Middle East peace process and the international community's concern.  The publication provides a wide-ranging view of the possible options for Jerusalem's future (see bulletin of April 1993 (Volume XVI, Bulletin No.4) for a report on the encounter).

XIV.   NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:  ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

A. Preparatory meetings for the Eleventh United Nations

      North American NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine

      and the Eighth European Regional NGO Symposium and

      Eleventh International NGO Meeting

     on the Question of Palestine

Two preparatory meetings were held for upcoming NGO symposia and the International NGO Meeting: one held in New York on 31 January to 1 February 1994 for the Eleventh North American NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine tentatively scheduled for 29 June to 1 July 1994, and one held at Geneva on 21 to 22 February 1994, for the Eighth European Regional NGO Symposium and the Eleventh International NGO Meeting on the Question of Palestine, scheduled for 29 August to 1 September 1994.

The North American Preparatory Meeting, held in New York, was attended by 12 members of the North American Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine (NACC).  In addition to the preparation of the symposium the discussion focused on the future cooperation between the Committee on Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the NGOs in the light of the new developments.

The meeting of consultation with the European and International Coordinating Committees for NGOs on the Question of Palestine, which was held at Geneva, was attended by 22 members of the International Coordinating Committee and five members of the European Coordinating Committee.  Discussions were held on future action and cooperation between the two coordinating committees of NGOs, the Committee and the United Nations Secretariat, as well as on the proposed provisional programme for the European Symposium and the International meeting.

The report on the two preparatory meetings will be submitted for approval to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at a forthcoming plenary meeting.  Information on the agendas and other details on the future NGO events will be given in the next issue of the bulletin.

B.  Information received from NGOs

1. Middle East International, a biweekly publication available from P.O. Box 53365, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C. 20009, United States of America. (Issues on hand: January 7, No. 466; January 21, No. 467; February 4, No. 468; and February 18, No. 469).  These publications present a comprehensive coverage of various issues in Middle Eastern affairs including the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, the occupied territories, Israeli domestic politics, and news from other countries in the Middle East as well as the international community.

2. News From Within, newsletter of the Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 31417, Jerusalem.  Volume X, No. 1 features articles on the seventh year of the intifadah, including interviews with Palestinian academicians.

3. The Other Front, weekly bulletin on developments in Israeli society, available from: The Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 24278, Jerusalem. (Issues on hand: January 5, No. 254; January 12, No. 255; January 19, No. 256; January 26, No. 257; February 1, No. 258; and February 9, No. 259).  These issues cover topics on settlements, workers in Israel, as well as the peace process.

4. Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs, February/March 1994, Vol. xii, No. 6.  This monthly publication is available from the American Educational Trust, P.O. Box 53062, Washington, D.C. 20009, Fax (202) 232 6754, United States of America.

5. The Other Israel, newsletter of the Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, available from: P.O. Box 2542, Holon, Israel 58125.  The publication covers activities of the various peace movements.

6. "Palestinian Victims of Torture Speak Out – Thirteen Accounts of Torture during Interrogation in Israeli Prisons". This report is available from Al-Haq, Ramallah, West Bank, P.O. Box 1413, Tel. 02-956-421, Israel.  Al-Haq fieldworkers documented 234 cases of torture through affidavits from victims.  Three affidavits were edited for this report.

7. "An Illusion of Legality: A Legal Analysis of Israel's Mass Deportation of Palestinians on 17 December 1992", Occasional Paper No. 9.  This report is available from Al-Haq (see above for address).  The report analyses the human rights implications of the mass deportation, including the position of the Israeli Supreme Court, from the point of view of respect for the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

8. "An Ailing System: Israeli Military Government Health Insurance in the Occupied Palestinian Territories", a study which is available from Al-Haq (see above for address).  The study summarizes the poor health conditions and deteriorating health services that exist in the Occupied Territories and analyses the system of Israeli military government health insurance offered to Palestinians living there.

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