Human rights – GA Third Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

30^th Meeting (AM)

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL’S UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW MECHANISM COULD CHANGE THIRD

COMMITTEE’S ROLE IN DEALING WITH SPECIFIC COUNTRIES, SAY SPEAKERS

Human Rights Education, Implementation of Disabilities Convention

Among Other Issues, as Debate Continues on Human Rights Promotion, Protection

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to conclude its general discussion on the promotion and protection of human rights (for background, see press release GA/SHC/3925 of 22 October).

Statements

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NADYA RASHEED, Observer Mission of Palestine, said the Palestinian reality was worse than ever before, with no indication of improvement.  The Israeli occupation was the root cause of all human rights violations against the Palestinian people, in violation of the Geneva Convention, relative to the protection of civilians in time of war, and numerous other rights-based documents.  Nearly a year ago, Palestinian and Israeli leaders had met in Annapolis to relaunch the negotiation process by the end of 2008.  At that time, Israel was called on to freeze settlements and to reduce the number of checkpoints it had along its border with Palestine.  But, in the past year, the reality had been the opposite, with the occupying Power intent on altering the territory’s character, status and demographic composition.  It was a reality in which all inalienable rights had been violated, and where killings by occupying forces continued unabated.  She called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to end its exercise of impunity.

She said the occupying Power had demolished homes and destroyed Palestinian property and agricultural land at much higher rates in 2008 than 2007, causing people to be displaced.  It also continued to detain and imprison thousands of Palestinians, including children, with restricted access to family and legal representation.  Israel continued to confiscate Palestinian land by expanding its web of settlements, bypass roads and military instalments, sending a message that a two-State solution was not viable.  Attacks against people by settlers continued, with the protection of occupying forces and with complete impunity.  Four years after the International Court of Justice advisory opinion was pronounced on the separation wall, building still continued.  The impact of that wall and its associated regime of checkpoints brought about the isolation of communities, and impeded access to land and water of farmers, among other things.  The wall and checkpoints destroyed the contiguity of Palestinian territories, ruining its economy and social fabric.  She ended by calling for an end to the siege of Gaza, which was suffering high rates of poverty and unemployment.  The international community should take action to compel Israel to lift its siege and to uphold its obligations as an occupying Power.

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For information media • not an official record