Mideast situation/Palestine question – SecCo debate, action – Press release

SECURITY COUNCIL STRESSES URGENT NEED FOR HUMANITARIAN ACCESS TO PALESTINIANS, WELCOMES

FACT-FINDING TEAM TO EXAMINE EVENTS AT JENIN REFUGEE CAMP

 Resolution 1405 (2002) Adopted Unanimously

Concerned by the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian civilian population and calling for further lifting of restrictions imposed, in particular in the Jenin refugee camp, on the operations of humanitarian organizations, the Security Council this evening emphasized the urgency of access of medical and humanitarian organizations to the Palestinian civilian population.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1405 (2002), the Council also welcomed the initiative of the Secretary-General to develop accurate information regarding recent events in Jenin through a fact-finding team.

Tonight's meeting followed yesterday afternoon's and this morning's debate, during which the 15 members of the Council and 29 non-members, expressed their concern with the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and stressed the necessity of immediately implementing resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002). Those texts call for:  both parties to move immediately towards a meaningful ceasefire; the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities; and full cooperation with United States Special Envoy General Anthony Zinni and others, to implement the Tenet plan as a first step towards implementation of the Mitchell Committee recommendations.

      Tonight's meeting began at 8:48 p.m. and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

      Resolution:

      "The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1402 (2002) of 30 March 2002, 1403 (2002) of 4 April 2002, and the Statement of its President of 10 April 2002 (S/PRST/2002/09),

"Concerned by the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian civilian population, in particular reports from the Jenin refugee camp of an unknown number of deaths and destruction,

"Calling for the lifting of restrictions imposed, in particular in Jenin, on the operations of humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,

"Stressing the need for all concerned to ensure the safety of civilians, and to respect the universally accepted norms of international humanitarian law,

"1.      Emphasizes the urgency of access of medical and humanitarian organizations to the Palestinian civilian population;

"2.      Welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to develop accurate information regarding recent events in the Jenin refugee camp through a fact-finding team and requests him to keep the Security Council informed;

"3.      Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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