DPR Monthly Bulletin – Vol. XV, No. 5 – CEIRPP, DPR bulletin (May 1992) – DPR publication

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May 1992

Volume XV, Bulletin No. 5

Contents

I.  SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER

ESCALATION OF MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE

On 26 May 1992, the following statement was issued by the spokesman for the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutrós Boutrós-Ghali:

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, in which Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians have been killed and injured.  He deplores the loss of innocent life.

"The Secretary-General believes that a continuation of the hostilities can only heighten tensions in the region, and might even jeopardize the efforts that are presently under way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict.  He urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint so that the momentum achieved thus far in the peace process may be sustained." (see SG/SM/4760).

II.  EXCERPT FROM THE PRESS COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE

     MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE COORDINATING BUREAU OF THE MOVEMENT OF

     NON-ALIGNED COUNTRIES HELD AT BALI, INDONESIA, FROM 14 TO 16 MAY 1992

The press communiqué issued at the conclusion of the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-aligned Countries, held at Bali, from l4 to l6 May l992, contained the following paragraphs relating to the question of Palestine: (see A/47/225-S/23998, paras. l7 and l8)

"The Ministers welcomed the convening of the Madrid Conference and the current peace efforts towards a just, comprehensive and durable solution in the Middle East, the core of which is the question of Palestine.  They reaffirmed the view that the Peace Conference should seek the speedy implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978) and other relevant United Nations resolutions which require Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands and safeguard the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.  The Ministers reiterated their condemnation of Israel's policies of aggression, occupation, annexation and repression as well as its persistent refusal to implement the relevant United Nations resolutions.  These policies cannot be allowed to continue.  It is deeply regretted that Israel has failed to respond positively to the peace initiative of the Palestine National Council which has already presented balanced and reasonable proposals conducive to the attainment of a comprehensive and just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.  The failure of the ongoing peace process may well affect international peace and security.  Hence, the just, comprehensive and durable solution of the question of Palestine has now become more imperative and its attainment should remain a priority objective of the Movement.  The Ministers remained convinced of the need of a comprehensive negotiated settlement to be achieved through the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, held under the auspices of the United Nations and with the participation of all parties involved on an equal footing, including the PLO and the permanent members of the Security Council.  They urged all parties to do their utmost to support the efforts to find solutions.

"The Ministerial Committee of Nine on Palestine met under the chairmanship of H. E. Mr. Ali Alatas of Indonesia and was given a full briefing by the Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine on the current Middle East peace process. The Committee shared the assessment that Israel was as yet reluctant to make progress and that efforts should be made to accelerate the peace process."

III.  WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION CONCERNING

HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE ARAB POPULATION

IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, INCLUDING PALESTINE

The World Health Assembly, at its forty-fifth session, adopted the following resolution at Geneva on 14 May 1992 (see WHA 45.26):

"The Forty-fifth World Health Assembly,

"Mindful of the basic principle established in the WHO Constitution, which affirms that the health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security,

"Seriously concerned by violations of human rights in the occupied Arab territories,

"Recalling the need for the occupying power to observe strictly its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), to which it has notably not conformed in such basic areas as health,

"Aware of its responsibility for ensuring proper health conditions for all people who are victims of exceptional situations, including settlements that are contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949,

"Recognizing the need for increased support and assistance for the Palestinian people, as well as the Syrian Arab people in the Golan under Israeli occupation, and for stronger cooperation with them,

"Expressing its deep concern at the negative effects of the practices of the occupying power against the Palestinian people in the field of health during the Intifadah, at a time when social and economic conditions in the territories were deteriorating,

"Expressing deep satisfaction at the commencement of peace talks among the parties concerned in the Middle East, starting with the Madrid Conference and continuing in the peace negotiations between the said parties,

"Expressing the hope that these talks will lead to a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the principles of international legitimacy and, in particular, on relevant United Nations resolutions,

"Regretting the refusal of the Israeli authorities to allow the Special Committee of Experts to visit the occupied Arab territories,

"Having considered the report of the Director-General on the Health conditions of the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine,1/

"1. Asserts WHO's responsibility to promote for the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health as one of the fundamental rights of every human being;

"2. Expresses the hope that the peace talks will lead quickly to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, so that the Palestinian people can develop their health plans and projects to participate with the peoples of the world in the achievement of WHO's objective of 'Health for All by the Year 2000';

"3. Expresses concern at the deterioration in the health conditions of the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories affirming that it is the role of the World Health Organization to assist in the provision of health care to the Palestinian people and the other Arab populations in the occupied Arab territories;

"4. Stresses that the policies of the Israeli authorities in the occupied Arab territories are not consistent with the development of a health system appropriate to the needs of the population in the occupied Arab territories, and that it is the role of the international community in its contribution to the peace process to assist the Palestinian people in their efforts to enjoy this basic human right and the privilege of being responsible for their own health system;

"5. Deplores the continuing deterioration of the situation in the occupied Arab territories, which seriously affects the living conditions of the people, compromises in a lasting fashion the future of the Palestinian society, and prevents the economic and social development of those territories;

"6. Expresses its deep concern at the Israeli refusal to permit the Special Committee of Experts to visit the occupied Arab territories, requesting that Israel allow the Committee to fulfil its mission of investigating the health conditions of the populations in those territories;

"7. Thanks the Chairman of the Special Committee of Experts for his note and requests the Special Committee of Experts to continue its mission and report on the health conditions of the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories to the Forty-sixth World Health Assembly;

"8. Recalls resolutions WHA42.14, WHA43.26 and WHA44.31 and commends the Organization's efforts to prepare and implement the special technical assistance to improve the health conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories;

"9. Thanks the Director-General for his efforts, requesting him, in the light of relevant Health Assembly resolutions;

(1) to continue the efforts to implement the special assistance programme, emphasizing the primary health care approach, in coordination with all Member States, observers referred to in Health Assembly resolutions related to this item, and all other organizations involved in health and humanitarian activities;

(2) to further coordinate health activities, in particular in priority areas such as maternal and child health, an expanded programme of immunization, water supply, sanitation and prevention of pollution;

(3) to monitor and evaluate the health conditions of the Arab population in the occupied Arab territories, in particular the proposals contained in the reports of the Special Committee of Experts, and given the deterioration of the health conditions of the inhabitants of those territories, to adopt all available measures in this regard, and to assist the Palestinian people in developing health manpower capable of shouldering the responsibility of their health;

(4) to pursue the implementation of special technical assistance to improve the health conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories, in cooperation with all WHO Members and observers referred to in Health Assembly resolutions related to this item, taking into consideration a comprehensive health plan for the Palestinian people;

(5) to provide the systematic support required to the WHO collaborating health centres in the occupied Arab territories, and strongly encourage the management of those centres by Palestinian experts;

(6) to continue his efforts to seek funds from extrabudgetary sources in support of the special technical assistance programme;

(7) to report on the above to the Forty-sixth World Health Assembly;

"10. Calls on all Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the special assistance programme to improve the health conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories."

13th plenary meeting

14 May 1992

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1/ WHO document A/45/31.

IV.  UNITED NATIONS SPONSORS JOURNALISTS' ENCOUNTER IN

    IRELAND ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

On 5 May 1991, the United Nations Department of Public Information held a journalists' encounter in Dublin in cooperation with the Center for European Economic and Public Affairs of the National University of Ireland.  The theme of the encounter was entitled, "Preparing for Peace:  the importance for interim relief in the occupied Palestinian territory."

The event was one in a series mandated by General Assembly resolution 46/74 C of 11 December 1991.  Each encounter seeks to bring together prominent media representatives from Europe or North America with Israeli, Palestinian and other Middle East experts to promote better understanding of the question of Palestine.

The theme of the Dublin encounter was prompted by a report submitted to the Security Council by the Secretary-General on 9 April 1991.  That report encouraged efforts to provide protection for Palestinian civilians that would help alleviate the fear and distrust that now prevails between Palestinians and Israelis. Accordingly, the participants at the encounter took up discussion of the obligations of the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.  Particular attention was given to practical approaches that Europe might take in promoting such protection.

Three panelists, two Palestinians and an Israeli, spoke on the theme, as did a Middle East expert from the Commission of the European Communities.  A second Israeli panelist submitted a paper that was read out at the meeting.

The panelists were:  Afif Safieh, head of the delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the United Kingdom; Charles Anthony Shamas, member of the board of al-Haq, West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists and Director of the Mattin Centre for Production Development in Ramallah; and Arnold Spaer,  partner in the law firm of Spaer, Sitton & Co. in Jerusalem, whose clients include Bir Zeit University in the West Bank, the Palestinian human rights association al-Haq and Hebrew University.  David Kretzmer, Chairman of the National Board of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Professor of Law at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, prepared a paper that was read out at the encounter.

In opening remarks, the moderator, Mustapha Tlili, Chief of the Anti-Apartheid, Decolonization and Palestine Programmes Section of DPI, said Secretary-General Boutrós Boutrós-Ghali had recently reaffirmed the importance of finding ways to promote the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians living under occupation while the current peace process was in motion.  The fact that the peace talks were going on outside the United Nations framework did not detract in any way from Israel's obligations to respect the Fourth Geneva Convention and to abide by the relevant Security Council resolutions.  He added that the imperative for interim relief in the occupied territories was a vital right of the Palestinians which should be fully supported by the international community and clearly understood by world public opinion.

Following discussion among the panelists and some 40 journalists and academicians, a final statement was made by Professor Richard Sinnott of University College, Dublin.

V.  NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:  ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

During the course of May, the following information was received by the Division for Palestinian Rights:

1. ICCP Newsletter No. 42, available from:  the International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine, l50, route de Ferney, Case postale 2l00, CH-l2ll Geneva 2, Switzerland.

2. News from Within, independent newsletter, available from: Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 24278, Jerusalem.

3. AJME News, journal of Americans for Justice in the Middle East, available from:  P.O. Box 113-558l, Beirut, Lebanon.

4. The Other Front, available from:  the Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 24278, Jerusalem.

5. Targeting to Kill:  Israeli Undercover Units, publication of Palestine Human Rights Information Center.  Available from: PHRIC International, 4753 N. Broadway, Suite 930, Chicago, IL 60640, United States of America.

6. Middle East Labor Bulletin, official publication of the Labor Committee on the Middle East, available from:  P.O. Box 42l546, San Francisco, CA  94l42-l546, United States of America.

7. Israel and Palestine Political Report, available from: Magelan, Boite Postale l30, 75463 Paris CEDEX l0, France.

8. Middle East International, bi-weekly publication, available from:  P.O. Box 5336, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C. 20009, United States of America.

9. NECEF Report, publication of the Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of Canada.  Available from:  l06 Duplex Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5P 2A7.

10. Palestine Solidarité, bi-monthly bulletin of l'Association Medicale Franco-Palestinienne.  Available from:  l4, rue de Nanteuil, 750l5 Paris, France.

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