Human rights violations in the OPT – GA Third Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

Third Committee

34^th & 35^st Meetings (AM & PM)

 ‘THERE ARE NO FIRST-CLASS OR SECOND-CLASS RIGHTS,' AS ALL HUMAN RIGHTS

FREEDOMS INDEPENDENT, INDIVISIBLE, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

More than 40 Speakers Describe National Efforts to Meet Human Rights Obligations

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Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to continue its consideration of the promotion and protection of human rights.  It also was expected to hear the introduction of 12 draft resolutions related to social development.  For more information, please see Press Release GA/SHC/4052.

Statements

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NADYA RASHEED, observer for Palestine, reiterated deep regret that the occupying Power continued to obstruct the efforts of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.  That non-cooperation should produce a concerted effort by the General Assembly, Security Council and the Secretary-General to ensure that Israel abided by its obligations.  The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, was critical as a result of Israel’s aggression and illegal policies against Palestinians.  Its policies and practices breached Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, among other instruments.

Israel’s activities included an illegal settlement campaign, the wall, confiscation of Palestinian land, home demolition and revocation of Palestinian residency rights.  Terrorist acts by extremist Israeli settlers were widespread.  Pointing to international legal developments concerning businesses and human rights, she called on all companies that operated, conducted business or profited from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to respect international humanitarian law.  She echoed calls made for a boycott of all companies that failed to do so, as long as they did not meet international human rights standards.  If Israel continued to not be held accountable, the world community would be even further from helping the Palestinians realize their human rights.  She called on the international community to meet its responsibilities in that regard.

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BEN YOUSIF ( Kuwait) …

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…  the practices and policies of Israel violating the human rights of the Palestinian people, as well as restrictions on Palestinian movements through territories and lands and construction of Israeli settlements, were contrary to international law, the Geneva Convention and United Nations texts and resolutions.

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Right of Reply

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Israel’s delegate said the Palestinian delegate had painted a one-sided picture of the conflict.  One must keep in mind the threat from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who fired rockets at Israeli civilians in gross violation of their human rights.  Israel had erected a security fence, which had been effective in preventing Palestinian suicide bombers from entering Israeli cities.  In the midst of those conditions, innocent civilians on both sides suffered.

Just as Palestinians had the right to free movement in Ramallah, Israeli children had the right to ride a bus in Tel Aviv without the threat of a suicide bomber.  Israel had an open society in which such dilemmas were addressed daily by civil society, the media and one of the world’s most impartial judicial systems.  He called for negotiations without conditions.  The road to a two-State solution ran through Jerusalem and Ramallah.  “It does not run through New York,” he said.

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For information media • not an official record