AFTERNOON - Human Rights Council Discusses Situation of Human Rights in Sudan and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on Sudan with the assistance of the Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, and started an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he had travelled to Sudan last November for his first country visit as High Commissioner and had witnessed a country at a critical juncture. There was pain born from decades of conflict but there was also hope for change. The signing of the political framework agreement on 5 December 2022 was also a first, important step towards the restoration of civilian rule and the transition to democracy. Mr. Türk urged that the strong commitments to human rights and justice be enshrined in the final agreement. All those responsible for human rights violations and abuses needed to be held to account and a review of emergency legislation needed to ensure that any amendments were fully in line with international human rights law.
Mohamed Saeed Alhilo Dongs, Minister of Justice of Sudan, speaking as representative of the country concerned, said the Prosecutor General had formed a number of commissions for criminal investigations in all forms of violations of human rights and violence against women. Sudan stressed its commitment to the principle of non-impunity. Committees of reconciliation and reparation for same tribe strife in some provinces had been established. Sudan had made strides in the implementation of the deployment of joint forces in the framework of the National Civilian Protection Mechanism and in line with the Juba peace deal. Since last May, the state of emergency had been lifted and detainees released. Sudan called on the Human Rights Council to reconsider the multiplicity of mechanisms on the country - multiplicity led to duplication of efforts and overlap of jurisdiction. Sudan would continue to work as part of this Council to achieve the purposes for which it had been established.
In the ensuing discussion, some speakers said, among other things, that human rights violations and abuses were linked to the fragile political situation, and work to solve this should be based on the Framework Agreement, as this was the only way forward, leading to free and fair elections. It was crucial that Sudan return to a transition process towards democracy with respect for human rights and the rule of law at its core. The authorities had the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of everyone in Sudan, and therefore all military and security forces must immediately stop violence against civilians and peaceful protestors, and fulfil their obligations, which were none other than protecting the people in Sudan and providing stability and security, without which Sudan as a whole would not prosper.
One speaker noted that certain countries and international organizations had suspended their aid to Sudan, hindering the ability to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights. Some countries had imposed illegal unilateral coercive measures, further hindering the Government’s efforts to restore the situation. The international community must fully grasp the challenges of Sudan when it came to economic and social development, and provide capacity building based on full respect of Sudan’s sovereignty and in concert with the Government. Exploiting human rights as an instrument of political pressure was a negative step - it was only with the assent of the country concerned could genuine progress be made. The technical cooperation and assistance that Sudan required should continue to be offered, without foreign interference.
Speaking in the interactive dialogue on Sudan were: Qatar on behalf of the Arab Group; Norway on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries; Côte d'Ivoire on behalf of the African Group; European Union; France; United States; Switzerland; Qatar; Bahrain; Luxembourg; China; Venezuela; Egypt; Iraq; United Kingdom; South Sudan; Jordan; Kenya; Niger; Libya; Saudi Arabia; Malawi, Mauritania; Yemen; Nigeria; Sri Lanka; Ireland; Russian Federation; Syria; Eritrea; Algeria; Tunisia; and Sierra Leone.
Also speaking were the following non-governmental organizations: World Evangelical Alliance; Christian Solidarity Worldwide; International Service for Human Rights; East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project; CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation; Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada; International Federation for Human Rights Leagues; International Bar Association; Amnesty International; and Human Rights Watch.
The Council then started an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on his report on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.
Mr. Türk said the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory was a tragedy, above all for the Palestinian people. Over half a century of occupation had led to widening dispossession, deepening deprivation, and recurring and severe violations of their rights, including the right to life. The people of Israel also suffered from this situation: insecurity, pain, loss and fear. They had a right to live in peace, in their State – just as Palestinians did, in a State that was, finally, recognised and viable. 2022 saw both the highest number of Palestinians killed by Israeli Security Forces in the past 17 years, and the highest number of Israelis killed since 2016.
The High Commissioner said his report found that 131 Palestinians were killed by Israeli Security Forces over the past year, including 65 people who were not armed. Since 2017, fewer than 15 per cent of such killings had been investigated. Thirteen Israelis were killed by Palestinians during the period covered by the report, and nine Israelis, including three children, had been killed since then. The blockade of Gaza, which restricted 2 million people, had been in effect for 16 years, with the separation wall dividing thousands of Palestinians. Mr. Türk condemned the violence, saying for it to end, the occupation needed to end.
Israel was not present in the room to take the floor as a country concerned.
State of Palestine, speaking as a country concerned, said the report documented some violations committed by the occupation forces until the end of October last year. The Government led by Netanyahu, which included a number of murderers and criminals, had begun a new escalation against the Palestinian people, against prisoners inside prisons, with attacks on mosques and churches, in addition to taking punitive measures against the Palestinian people, leadership and civil society. Palestine called on the international community to take punitive steps as contained in the Fourth Geneva Convention, and demanded a boycott of the occupying power, its settlements, its settlers, its leaders, and the murderous and fascist government, and not to cooperate with them. Israel was the first violator of the Charter of the United Nations, and continued to violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
In the ensuing debate, some speakers said, among other things, that the occupying power had released a reign of terror on the Palestinian people, in which all were victims of Israel’s relentless and inhumane campaign. All flagrant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people were condemned. The report held Israel responsible for serious human rights violations, and documented numerous uses of excessive use of force, including extra-judicial executions, and a continued and pervasive climate of impunity among the Israeli armed forces. The tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories had led to many casualties: Israelis, like Palestinians, had the right to live in peace and security.
Some speakers said that the right to freedom of expression must be upheld, including in areas under Palestinian Authority control. Strong institutions were necessary for the creation of a Palestinian State. The execution of prisoners in Gaza was condemned by speakers, recalling the international community’s opposition to capital punishment. A number of speakers strongly opposed Israel’s settlement policy, including in East Jerusalem, which fuelled the cycle of violence. Israel should refrain from any practices of collective punishment, which was expressly prohibited by international humanitarian law and was incompatible with several provisions of international human rights law. The only possible solution was the two-State solution, with the creation of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the 1967 borders, with total sovereignty and independence.
Speaking in the discussion were Qatar on behalf of the Group of Arab States, European Union, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Kuwait, France, Tunisia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Luxembourg, China, Indonesia, Venezuela, Egypt, Iraq, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Türkiye, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Jordan, Niger, Senegal, Algeria, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Switzerland, Syria, Yemen, Botswana, Lebanon, Bolivia, Slovenia and Iran.
The next meeting of the Council will be on Monday, 6 March, at 10 a.m., when it will conclude the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on his report on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice. It will then hold an enhanced interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Sudan with the Assistance of the Designated Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan
Presentation of Oral Update
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he had travelled to Sudan last November for his first country visit as High Commissioner and had witnessed a country at a critical juncture. There was pain born from decades of conflict but there was also hope for change. The ongoing consultations between the military authorities and the civilian political forces were most welcome in order to find a way out of the stalemate that had held the country back since October 2021. The signing of the Political Framework Agreement on 5 December 2022 was also a first important step towards the restoration of civilian rule and the transition to democracy. Mr. Türk urged that strong commitments to human rights and justice be enshrined in the final agreement and expressed gratitude to the Sudanese authorities for their cooperation and positive engagement during his visit.
The High Commissioner said that during his visit, he had received commitments that the excessive use of force against protestors taking part in demonstrations would stop. While the toll had dropped significantly over the last few months, instances of killings and injuries of protesters continued to be reported. On Tuesday this week, a 17-year-old demonstrator was shot dead by a police officer in Khartoum. The immediate action taken by the authorities to investigate this killing and the officer responsible was an important step. According to medical sources, this young person was the one hundred and twenty-fifth person to die since protests began over 16 months ago, one in five of whom had been children under the age of 18. Some 9,096 people had sustained injuries, many of them life changing, from live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas cannisters and other weapons arbitrarily fired by the security forces. Impunity continued to be a serious issue and it was welcome that the judicial committee established to investigate serious human rights violations and other acts since October 2021 had made some progress. Numerous other judicial committees had been set up to investigate human rights violations and abuses.
Mr. Türk welcomed the release of political prisoners, including 300 men detained on the orders of the Governors of north and west Darfur in 2021 and 2022 under emergency legislation. He urged the authorities to instruct security forces to respect human rights and international standards on the use of force and firearms. All those responsible for human rights violations and abuses needed to be held to account and a review of emergency legislation needed to ensure that any amendments were fully in line with international human rights law. The authorities were urged to publicly commit to guaranteeing the rights of women and girls, including zero tolerance for sexual violence and discrimination. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stood ready to strengthen its support, including for legal and institutional reforms to promote and protect human rights, the development of a victim-centred transitional justice process, and to broaden civic space.
Statement by the Country Concerned
MOHAMED SAEED ALHILO DONGS, Minister of Justice of Sudan, speaking as the representative of the country concerned, said that Sudan had exerted all its efforts to make the missions of the current and previous independent experts a success. The Prosecutor General had formed a number of commissions for criminal investigations on all forms of violations of human rights and violence against women. Investigations had been completed in eight commissions and immunity had been stripped from all of those suspected of involvement. The Prosecutor General had also established a prosecution office for crimes against the martyrs. Sudan stressed its commitment to the principle of non-impunity. Committees of reconciliation and reparation for same tribal strife in some provinces had been established. Investigations about recent events in south Darfur had been reported and defendants referred to specialised courts. A provisional justice commission had been established.
Sudan had made strides in the implementation of the deployment of joint forces in the framework of the National Civilian Protection Mechanism and in line with the Juba peace deal. Since last May, the state of emergency had been lifted and detainees had been released. A committee was established to review the emergency law and align it with international conventions. Since the revolution, Sudan had been guaranteeing freedoms, including of expression, opinion and association. The rights of women and their empowerment had always remained a priority for Sudan. Sudan was also committed to protect children and persons with disabilities. Sudan called on the Human Rights Council to reconsider the multiplicity of mechanisms on the country - multiplicity led to duplication of efforts and overlap of jurisdiction. Sudan would continue to work as part of this Council to achieve the purposes for which it had been established.
Discussion
In the ensuing discussion, some speakers said, among other things, that too many civilians remained exposed to violence in Sudan, and the perpetrators were not held to account. All parties should respect the Juba agreement. Human rights violations and abuses were linked to the fragile political situation, and work to solve this should be based on the Framework Agreement, as this was the only way forward, leading to free and fair elections. The military coup of October 2021 had rolled back important progress made towards legal and institutional reforms. It was crucial that Sudan return to a transition process towards democracy with respect for human rights and the rule of law at its core.
The authorities had the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of everyone in Sudan, and therefore all military and security forces must immediately stop violence against civilians and peaceful protestors, and fulfil their obligations, which were none other than protecting the people in Sudan and providing stability and security, without which Sudan as a whole would not prosper. The security and military forces should fulfil their obligation to protect civilians and respect their right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, without fear of violence or arbitrary detention, and to ensure those responsible for human rights violations were held to account.
The signing of the Framework Agreement between political and civil groups and the military in December 2022 was welcomed as a significant step to ensure a long-lasting political settlement that would usher Sudan to an orderly transition to democracy. Impunity only bred further violence, and Sudan’s commitment to ending this was a positive step: the first step must be a release of civilians, followed by swift steps towards democracy and further legislative reforms.
Sudan’s democratic transition must be civilian-led and deliver on commitments on freedom, peace, and justice. Military rule was not sustainable and could not effectively guarantee respect for human rights. Full respect for freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly remained vital. The international community should strengthen cooperation in all areas to allow Sudan to overcome the political challenges it was facing, and support processes to enhance dialogue. It should also support the Government of Sudan in the transition process towards a democratic society in all possible ways. Sudan’s efforts to cooperate with the various human rights mechanisms, despite the challenges that it faced, were appreciated, and the continuation of this cooperation was urged, with the view of providing technical assistance and capacity building to promote and protect human rights in the country.
The international community should give a little time for the people of Sudan to conduct dialogue with all groups on how to achieve comprehensive peace in the country, a speaker urged. The United Nations and regional mechanisms, including the Africa Union and the Inter-governmental Authority on Development, continued to play an important role in addressing the current crisis, and continued collaboration of Sudan with all these bodies would play a critical role in achieving peace and stability in the country. The international community should provide all it could to facilitate economic and social progress in line with the aspirations of the Sudanese people themselves.
Certain countries and international organizations had suspended their aid to Sudan, hindering the ability to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights, a speaker said, pointing out that some countries had imposed illegal unilateral coercive measures, further hindering the Government’s efforts to restore the situation. The international community must fully grasp the challenges of Sudan when it came to economic and social development, and provide capacity building based on full respect of Sudan’s sovereignty and in concert with the Government. Exploiting human rights as an instrument of political pressure was a negative step - it was only with the assent of the country concerned that genuine progress could be made.
Resolution 50/1 on the situation of human rights in Sudan did not enjoy the support of Sudan, and therefore undermined the spirit of cooperation required in promoting and protecting human rights, a speaker said, and the Council and the international community should instead cooperate with Sudan to overcome its challenges and to support national efforts to achieve lasting peace and development. The technical cooperation and assistance that Sudan required should continue to be offered, without foreign interference, allowing the country to move forward to achieve a situation of peace and genuine political dialogue. Countries of the West should fulfil their obligations and restore financial aid to Sudan, as promised, but it was counter-productive and unacceptable to impose upon the leadership any dubious socio-economic schemes and templates in order to receive that aid.
Concluding Remarks
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said when he visited Sudan at the beginning of November and when there were still discussions about the political dialogue, it was clear that the biggest hope was in the transition towards a civilian-led Government, and all efforts made in that direction were positive. To come to a Framework Agreement was a sign of hope, and it should translate into a future agreement that covered the main human rights issues faced, and the core of that was a victim-centred accountability and transitional justice system that dealt with the grievances of the population, some of which went back decades. The question of how to rebuild trust went directly to the area of civic space, inclusivity and meaningful participation, and allowing the fundamental core rights essential to civic space to be exercised, in particular for women and young people, whose participation was critical in moving forward. It was vital for it to be seen that impunity was being fought in terms of the way forward, and also making sure that it was not just centred on the situation in Khartoum, but also in the country, including Darfur. The absolute implementation of the Juba Agreement and the national Civilian Protection Strategy were critical.
RADHOUANE NOUICER, Designated Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan, said there was very positive interaction between the authorities and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. There were ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve inter-communal conflicts in Sudan. The authorities had promised that the Office would be allowed to follow-up with the judiciary on human rights-related cases. Various workshops and conferences had been organised with the wide participation of persons from wide horizons, including non-signatories to the Framework Agreement, including women, youth, farmers, academia, civil society representatives, and these had produced a series of good recommendations, some of which were quite ambitious, requiring time and resources, representing a good ground for the future. The authorities often claimed that in the lack of resources and in the absence of a legitimate body, they were not in a position to introduce all the changes to improve human rights in the country, but many actions could be undertaken at no cost that would build trust between the people and State institutions, as mentioned by the High Commissioner. Lifting the impunity of police and security officers when they were suspected of human rights violations was a positive step.
MOHAMED SAEED ALHILO DONGS, Minister of Justice of Sudan, said the events taking place were due to tribal conflicts, and efforts were being made in order to bring the perpetrators to trial. Regarding statistics, some organizations collected these without consulting the authorities. Sudan was a multi-faith country. There were no reports of churches being burned down or religious groups being dispossessed. Sudan would pay for anybody to visit Sudan - even if the international community was reneging on its obligations towards the country, even if there were reports of mass rape - in order to see what the situation was really like. The police authorities did follow up on demonstrations, and helped demonstrators to organise themselves: there was nobody present from the armed forces or intelligence services during demonstrations. Oversight duties were undertaken by the Ministry of Justice. The bullets were removed from the weapons of the police who were present. The international community should send observers to take stock and find out who were really committing the killings.
Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Obligation to Ensure Accountability and Justice
Report
The Council has before it (A/HRC/52/75) on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Presentation of Report
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory was a tragedy, above all for the Palestinian people. Over half a century of occupation had led to widening dispossession, deepening deprivation and recurring and severe violations of their rights, including the right to life. The people of Israel also suffered from this situation: insecurity, pain, loss and fear. They had a right to live in peace, in their State – just as Palestinians did, in a State that was, finally, recognised and viable. 2022 saw both the highest number of Palestinians killed by Israeli Security Forces in the past 17 years, and the highest number of Israelis killed since 2016. On Sunday night, two Israeli brothers, aged 19 and 21 years old, were killed by a Palestinian in the West Bank town of Huwwara. Hours later, hundreds of Israeli settlers rioted across the area, and one Palestinian man was shot dead and two others were shot and wounded. A third person was stabbed, and a fourth badly beaten. Palestinian homes, shops and dozens of vehicles were set on fire or damaged. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 390 people were wounded in the rampage and three ambulances were attacked.
Mr. Türk said the attack was strongly condemned by the President of Israel, who called it “criminal violence against innocents," which "harms us as a moral society and a lawful country.” Yet, the Finance Minister publicly called for the town of Huwwara to be "wiped out", an unfathomable statement of incitement to violence and hostility.
The High Commissioner said the report found that 131 Palestinians were killed by Israeli Security Forces over the past year, including 65 people who were not armed. Since 2017, fewer than 15 per cent of such killings had been investigated. Thirteen Israelis were killed by Palestinians during the period covered by the report, and nine Israelis, including three children, had been killed since then. The blockade of Gaza, which restricted 2 million people had been in effect for 16 years, with the separation wall dividing thousands of Palestinians. During the reporting period, two men were killed by Israeli Security Forces, while trying to cross the wall into Israel.
Mr. Türk condemned the violence, saying for it to end, the occupation needed to end. Recurring recommendations that would make an immediate difference included taking steps to ensure that Israeli Security Forces actions in the West Bank operated within the boundaries set by international human rights law. All sides should adhere to the agreement reached at the Summit in Aqaba on 26 February, and build on the experience of opening to regional solutions. The blockade of Gaza needed to be ended and restrictions eased. Member States should play a role in assisting all parties to find the exit ramp. Within a foreseeable horizon, there needed to be a two-State solution, with an end to the occupation, and mutual recognition of the rights of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in dignity, peace and security.
Statement by Country Concerned
Israel was not in the room to take the floor as a country concerned.
State of Palestine, speaking as a country concerned, said the report documented some violations committed by the occupation forces until the end of October last year, and according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinian martyrs last year reached 224 in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Government led by Netanyahu, which included a number of murderers and criminals, had begun a new escalation against the Palestinian people, against prisoners inside prisons, as well as attacks on mosques and churches, in addition to taking punitive measures against the Palestinian people, Palestinian leadership and civil society, following a General Assembly resolution that called upon the International Court of Justice to pronounce upon the occupation. In spite of all this, some still described Israel as a democracy.
Throughout the week, delegations had listened to the speeches of many United Nations officials and State representatives, and most of them did not mention the crimes committed against the Palestinian people. Palestine called on the international community, all international bodies and organizations, and the High States Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to take punitive steps as contained in the Fourth Geneva Convention, and demanded a boycott of the occupying power, its settlements, its settlers, its leaders, and the murderous and fascist government, and not to cooperate with them. Israel was the first violator of the United Nations Charter, and continued to violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Law enforcement, justice and remedies could not take place in a world under double standards and politicised punitive action.
Discussion
In the ensuing debate, some speakers said, among other things, that the occupying power had released a reign of terror on the Palestinian people, in which all were victims of Israel’s relentless and inhumane campaign. All flagrant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people were condemned. The report noted the continuing deterioration due to the continuing violence and hostilities of Israel. The report held Israel responsible for serious human rights violations, and documented numerous uses of excessive use of force, including extra-judicial executions, and a continued and pervasive climate of impunity among the Israeli armed forces.
A number of speakers said that the tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories had led to many casualties: Israelis, like Palestinians, had the right to live in peace and security. The increasing high number of civilian casualties, as a result of actions inter alia by Israeli Security Forces, were condemned. The use of force when unavoidable must be proportionate, speakers urged, to protect life. All parties should cooperate with the international human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council.
Israel’s settlement policy, including in East Jerusalem, which fuelled the cycle of violence, was strongly opposed, and some speakers called on Israel to halt settlement expansion, outposts, evictions, demolitions and forced transfers, collective punishment, and violation of the right to self-determination. Israel’s ruthless intentions towards the Palestinian people were evident, and the international community should uphold its long-standing responsibility to the Palestinian question and the administration of justice. Some speakers called for an immediate end to the illegal settlement policy.
Some speakers said that the right to freedom of expression must be upheld, including in areas under Palestinian Authority control. Strong institutions were necessary for the creation of a Palestinian State. The execution of prisoners in Gaza was condemned by speakers, recalling the international community’s opposition to capital punishment. The international community must bring an end to the killings of civilians and ensure full respect of the relevant international resolutions, including those of the Security Council, making Israel live up to its international obligations in all areas, including those linked to prisoners. As Ramadan and Passover were approaching, the honouring of agreements would be necessary in order to preserve calm.
Israel should refrain from any practices of collective punishment, which was expressly prohibited by international humanitarian law and incompatible with several provisions of international human rights law. Further, there was concern for the undue restrictions of freedoms of expression and association, cases of gender-based violence and discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex, queer plus persons as well as about cases of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment. A free and vibrant civil society was vital for democratic discussion.
There was a need for credible investigations into all alleged violations of international law on both sides and cooperation with the United Nations bodies as well as the International Criminal Court. Israel should resume cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and issue visas for all staff. The Palestinian issue was the core of the Middle East issue, and it could not remain unsettled in the long run, indeed, it should be resolved at the earliest possible date. Ending the culture of impunity could be the first step in resolving the ongoing situation, with compensation of victims and their families.
All parties should take necessary steps to bring about a fundamental change in the Gaza Strip, as well as ensuring justice and accountability on both sides, with full and impartial investigations ensuring that perpetrators were brought to justice. All parties continued to suffer in the current situation. One speaker said that the situation of Palestine was not only the most prolonged situation of foreign occupation in the world but also a combination of colonisation, violation of human rights and humanitarian law as well as imposing an apartheid regime on the real proprietors of the occupied territories.
The only possible solution was dialogue and cooperation leading towards the establishment of the two-State solution, with the creation of a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the 1967 borders, with total sovereignty and independence. The international community should shoulder responsibility and take all measures to ensure accountability and justice for all crimes committed against the Palestinian people, and end the racist and unjust Israeli occupation, holding Israel accountable for its actions. Lasting peace could only be achieved through a resumption of negotiations with good faith on both sides. The international community must find the will and moral courage to break the cycle of inaction, put an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories, and make accountable the perpetrators of the crimes against Palestinian people.
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
HRC23.014F