Mideast situation/Assistance to the Palestinian people/Israeli practices – GA debate, action – Press release (excerpts)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 24 RESOLUTIONS, FOUR DECISIONS AS IT TAKES ACTION ON REPORTS OF SPECIAL POLITICAL, DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE

Delegates Also Adopt Texts on Assistance

To Rwanda Genocide Survivors, Cooperation with Regional Organizations

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Background

The General Assembly met this afternoon to take action on draft resolutions and draft decisions contained in reports submitted by its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

Topics addressed in those reports include assistance in mine action (agenda item 22); the effects of atomic radiation (item 74); international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (item 75); the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (item 76); Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories (item 77); comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (item 78); and questions related to information (item 79).

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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

The Fourth Committee’s report on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/59/470) recommends that the Assembly adopt four draft resolutions.

By the terms of draft resolution I, on assistance to Palestine refugees, the General Assembly would decide to extend the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) until June 2008.  It would note with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of its resolution 194 (III) of December 1948 and subsequent resolutions, has not yet been effected and that the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of grave concern.  The Assembly would also note with regret that the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving progress in implementing that resolution, and would request the Commission to exert continued efforts in that regard.

Also by that text, the Assembly would affirm the necessity for the continuation of UNRWA’s work, and the importance of its operations and services for the well-being of the Palestinian people and the stability of the region, pending the resolution of the Palestine refugee question.  The Assembly would call upon all donors to continue to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals.

By draft resolution II, on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, the Assembly would reaffirm the right of all those persons to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967.  Expressing its deep concern that the mechanism agreed upon by the parties (in the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements) for the return of displaced persons has not been complied with, the Assembly would stress the necessity of an accelerated return.

In the meantime, the Assembly would, by further terms of the text, endorse the Commissioner-General’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continuing assistance.  It would strongly appeal to all governments, organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency and to other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Draft resolution III, on operations of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, would have the Assembly express its appreciation to the Commissioner-General of the UNRWA, as well as to all Agency staff, for their tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in light of the increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year.  The Assembly would express its appreciation to the Agency’s Advisory Commission and request it to keep the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full implementation of decision 48/417.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would take note with appreciation of the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the UNRWA for its efforts to assist in ensuring the Agency’s financial security.  It would commend the continuing efforts of the Commissioner-General to increase the budgetary transparency and efficiency of the Agency.  It would also acknowledge the support of the host governments for UNRWA, and welcome the convening, in June 2004, of the Geneva conference by the Agency and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to increase support for UNRWA.

The Assembly would, by other terms, express concern about the temporary relocation of UNRWA’s headquarters international staff from Gaza City and the disruption of operations at the headquarters.  It would call upon Israel to comply fully with the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Convention on protection of civilians in time of war.  The Assembly would also call upon the Government of Israel to speedily compensate the Agency for damage to its property, and also call upon Israel to cease obstructing the movement of UNRWA personnel, vehicles and supplies, and to cease the levying of extra fees and charges.

By other terms, the Assembly would call upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the United Nations Charter, and by the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, in order to ensure the safety of UNRWA personnel, the protection of its institutions and the security of its facilities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Further, the Assembly would request the UNRWA Commissioner-General to proceed with the issuance of identification cards for Palestine refugees and their descendants in the occupied Palestinian territory.  Affirming that the functioning of the Agency remains essential in all fields of operation, the Assembly would note the success of UNRWA’s microfinance and microenterprise programmes, and call upon the Agency, in close cooperation with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development of the economic and social stability of the Palestine refugees in all fields of operation.

By further terms, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Commissioner-General to proceed with the modernization of UNRWA’S archives through the Palestine Refugee Records Project.  In addition, the Assembly would reiterate its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships for higher education to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to the Agency’s regular budget, and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees.  It would request the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships.

The Assembly would urge all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and increase their contributions to the Agency so as to ease the ongoing financial constraints, exacerbated by the current humanitarian situation on the ground, and to support its valuable work in assistance to the Palestine refugees.

Draft resolution IV, on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues, would have the Assembly reaffirm that the Palestine refugees are entitled to their property and to the income derived there from, in conformity with the principles of equity and justice.

By other terms, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel, and call once again on Israel to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation of the present resolution.

Further by the text, the Assembly would call upon all the parties concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any pertinent information in their possession concerning Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel that would assist him in the implementation of the present resolution.  It would urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process.

Israeli Practices in Occupied Arab Territories

The Fourth Committee’s report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/59/471) recommends to the Assembly the adoption of five draft resolutions.

By draft resolution I, on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, the Assembly would reiterate its demand that Israel cooperate with the Special Committee.

The Assembly would, by other terms, deplore those policies and practices of Israel that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories, as reflected in the Special Committee’s report.  It would express grave concern about the continuing crisis situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, since 28 September 2000, as a result of Israeli practices and measures, and especially condemn the excessive and indiscriminate use of force against the civilian population, including extrajudicial executions, which has resulted in more than 3,400 Palestinian deaths, including more than 750 children, and tens of thousands of injuries.

Further by the draft, the Assembly would request the Special Committee, pending complete termination of the Israeli occupation, to continue to investigate Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, especially Israeli violations of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949.  The Special Committee would also be requested to consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to ensure that the welfare and human rights of the peoples of the occupied territories are safeguarded.

Also by that text, the Assembly would request the Special Committee to submit periodic reports to the Secretary-General on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.  It would further request the Special Committee to continue to investigate the treatment of prisoners and detainees in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967.

By the terms of draft resolution II, on the applicability of the Geneva Convention, the Assembly would reaffirm that it is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and demand that Israel comply scrupulously with the provisions of that Convention.  It would call upon all High Contracting Parties to the Convention to continue to exert all efforts to ensure respect for its provisions by Israel in the occupied territories.  The Assembly would also reiterate the need for speedy implementation of the relevant recommendations contained in the resolutions of its tenth emergency session, including resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004.

Draft resolution III, on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, would have the Assembly reaffirm that those settlements are illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development.  It would also call upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to those occupied territories, and to abide scrupulously by the provision of the Convention, in particular article 49.

Further by the text, the Assembly would reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, and call for the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.  It would also demand that Israel comply with its legal obligations under international law, as mentioned in the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice and as demanded by the General Assembly in its resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004.

By other terms, the Assembly would stress the need for full implementation of Security Council resolution 904 (1994), in which, among other things, the Council called upon Israel to continue to take and implement measures, including confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and called for measures to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory.  The Assembly would reiterate its calls for the prevention of all acts of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and property, particularly in light of recent developments.

Draft resolution IV, on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied Palestinian territories, would have the Assembly reiterate that all measures and actions taken by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in violation of the relevant provisions of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in wartime, and contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions, are illegal and have no validity.  The Assembly would demand that Israel comply fully with the provisions of the relevant Geneva Convention and cease immediately all measures and actions taken in violation and in breach of the Convention, including extrajudicial executions.

Further, the Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people, respect human rights and comply with its obligations.  It would also demand that Israel comply with its legal obligations as mentioned in the advisory opinion of 9 July 2004 rendered by the International Court of Justice and as demanded in resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004, by, among other actions, dismantling the wall and making reparation for damage caused by its construction.  It would also stress the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all the occupied Palestinian territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods within that territory, including the removal of restrictions on movement into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world.

A further provision of the text would have the Assembly condemn all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, resulting in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive destruction of homes, properties, agricultural lands and vital infrastructure.  The Assembly would also condemn the events that occurred in the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002, the Rafah refugee camp in May 2004 and the Jabaliya refugee camp in October 2004.

Also by that text, the Assembly would express grave concern at the use of suicide bombing attacks against Israeli civilians, resulting in extensive loss of life and injury.

By draft resolution V, on the occupied Syrian Golan, the Assembly would call upon Israel to comply with the relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council 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 rescind its decision.

The Assembly would, by other terms call upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and to desist from the establishment of settlements.  It would determine that all legislative and administrative measures and actions by Israel that purport to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and of the Geneva Convention, and have no legal effect.  In addition, the Assembly would call upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and Israeli identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and from its repressive measures against the population.  It would also deplore Israel’s violations of the Geneva Convention and call, once again upon Member States not to recognize any of the legislative or administrative measures referred to in the present draft resolution.

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Action by Assembly

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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

The Assembly then turned to the four draft resolutions contained in the Committee’s report on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/59/470).

Taking up draft resolution I, on “Assistance to Palestine refugees”, the Assembly adopted that text by a recorded vote of 167 in favour, 1 against (Israel), with 11 abstentions (see annex I).

It then adopted draft resolution II, “Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities”, by a recorded vote of 162 in favour, 6 against (Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu) (annex II).

Taking action on draft resolution III, “Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, the Assembly adopted it by a recorded 163 votes in favour, 6 against (Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 7 abstentions (Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea) (annex III).

By a recorded vote of 161 in favour, 6 against (Israel, Grenada, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Haiti, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu), the Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues” (annex IV).

Explanation of Vote

The representative of Israel, speaking in explanation of vote, said his country fully supported UNRWA’S humanitarian mandate.  However, because its mission was humanitarian and not political, and because the issue of refugees was specifically reserved for negotiations between the parties, UNRWA resolutions should not deal with extraneous political issues.  They should not single out one host country and prejudge issues set aside for final status negotiations.

Noting that the entire United Nations system had of late devoted itself to the mission of reform and revitalization, he said that further streamlining and depoliticization of resolutions was necessary.  For all of those reasons, Israel had not been able to support the resolutions.

Israeli Practices in Occupied Arab Territories

The Assembly then took up the Committee’s report on 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 (document A/59/471).

It adopted draft resolution I, “Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories”, by a recorded vote of 84 in favour, 9 against (Australia, Canada, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 80 abstentions (annex V).

Taking up draft resolution II, “Applicability of the Geneva Convention”, the Assembly then adopted it by a recorded vote of 160 in favour, 7 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 11 abstentions (annex VI).

It then took up draft resolution III, “Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan”, adopting that text by a recorded 155 votes in favour, 8 against (Australia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 15 abstentions (annex VII).

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied Palestinian territories”, by a recorded a vote of 149 in favour, 7 against (Australia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 22 abstentions (annex VIII).

By a recorded vote of 160 in favour, 2 against (Israel, Nauru) with 15 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution V, “The occupied Syrian Golan” (annex IX).

Explanation of Vote

The representative of Panama, reiterated his country’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination within a constituted free and independent State, as well as the right of Israel to live in peace with its neighbours.  Panama’s delegation had traditionally voted in favour of all Fourth Committee resolutions but on this occasion it had refrained from voting on resolution A/59/L.14.

He said that given the circumstances in the region, the Special Committee should not just investigate one party to the conflict — its mandate should be broader.  While there could be no support for occupation of territory, extra-judicial killings or suicide attacks against civilians, there were other ways to settle the issues and any settlement must observe the norms of international law.  Resolution of the conflict would not be achieved by the number of resolutions but by the consensus achieved.  A proposal should be formulated to resolve conflicts.  Panama would support any effort to bring a just and lasting pace to the Middle East.

The representative of Israel, said he had voted against the draft resolutions because they presented a picture that was disconnected from reality.  On the ground there was a sense of a revival of talks and negotiations.  The texts, however, were one sided and blocked opportunities for real progress.  If conditions in the region were to be improved, such unhelpful obstacles must be left behind.  There was now an opportunity on the ground and international community should make it work.  

The representative of Canada, said her country had revised its voting and decided to vote against the text on the Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices.  Canada was very concerned about the suffering of the Palestinians and the Israelis, and deplored all violence.  It had called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.  However, the resolution added no value to the work of other organizations involved in the peace process.  Moreover, it distorted the picture that should reflect the rights and obligations of all parties.

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ANNEX I

Vote on Palestine Refugees

The draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/59/470) was adopted by a recorded vote of 167 in favour to 1 against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Albania, Bhutan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland.

ANNEX II

Vote on Displaced Persons

The draft resolution on persons displaced as a result of June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/59/470) was adopted by a recorded vote of 162 in favour to 6 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland.

ANNEX III

Vote on UNRWA Operations

The draft resolution on operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (document A/59/470) was adopted by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 6 against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea.

Absent:  Albania, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia., Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

ANNEX IV

Vote on Palestine Refugees’ Properties

The draft resolution on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/59/470) was adopted by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 6 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Albania, Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland, Uganda.

ANNEX V

Vote on Work of Special Committee

The draft resolution on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/59/471) was adopted by a recorded vote of 84 in favour to 9 against, with 80 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Gambia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Swaziland, Timor-Leste.

ANNEX VI

Vote on Applicability of Geneva Convention

The draft resolution on the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories (document A/59/471) was adopted by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 7 against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Australia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

ANNEX VII

Vote on Israeli Settlements

The draft resolution on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, and the Occupied Syrian Golan (document A/59/471) was adopted by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 8 against, with
15 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Kenya, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia., Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago.

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Israeli Practices

The draft resolution on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem (document A/59/471) was adopted by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 7 against, with 22 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstain:  Albania, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Kenya, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

ANNEX IX

Vote on Syrian Golan

The draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/59/471) was adopted by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 2 against, with 15 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Palau.

Abstain:  Albania, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia Grenada, Haiti, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Angola, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gambia, Iraq, Kiribati, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Solomon Islands.

…

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