HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OPENS GENERAL DEBATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN PALESTINE AND OTHER OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES
The Human Rights Council this morning opened its general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories after hearing High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay present the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the topic.
Ms. Pillay said the human rights challenges in the occupied Palestinian territory were intrinsically linked to the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements, including violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. The Israeli Government must investigate all incidents of violence against Palestinians and ensure that the perpetrators were held accountable. The High Commissioner urged the Government of Israel to bring its policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory in line with its international humanitarian law obligations as the occupying power. On the Palestinian side, there were concerns of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment, especially in Gaza. Palestinian leaders should reinforce safeguards for freedoms of opinion, expression, association and assembly and should demonstrate leadership in securing these freedoms, including for human rights defenders and journalists.
Speaking as a concerned country, Israel said agenda item 7 was actually more correctly understood to be the agenda item for targeting Israel. Israel was certainly not perfect and Israel’s vibrant media and civil society pointed out those mistakes regularly. Life for Palestinians had improved. It was time for the Council to get back to the real work. Work for the people of Syria and Iran and in other places where people’s lives actually depended on the international community taking action.
Palestine, also speaking as a concerned country, said the report proved that Israel had run a policy of daily violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Settlements were the biggest obstacle to a peace agreement. Israel must immediately start cooperating with the international community and shoulder its responsibilities as an occupying power. The international community must fulfil its responsibilities and have Israel cease the occupation and respect the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Syria, speaking as a concerned country, said in the occupied Syrian Golan, Israel had violated the right to self-determination, life, housing and property and had refused to take responsibility for acts of torture and cruel and inhumane treatment. For over 25 years, Syrian prisoners had rotted in jail. The occupying power had continued to ignore its illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan in violation of international law. The Human Rights Council had failed to provide redress for the victims of occupation.
In the general debate, speakers deplored the loss of life and welcomed the current truce. The prolonged occupation of the Palestinian Territories by Israel remained the main obstacle to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. Israel should stop all settlement activities particularly in and around East Jerusalem; open borders and facilitate free movement of goods and persons within the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including immediate lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip; and end the illegal occupation of the Syrian land. Speakers condemned the indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza. Speakers condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements, which were not only illegal under international law but also violated economic, political, social and cultural rights.
Several speakers were deeply troubled by this Council’s biased and disproportionate focus on Israel, as exemplified by the standing agenda item. Speakers called for a freeze of settlements on Palestinian land and the re-launch of negotiations for peace. Negotiations were the best way forward for a lasting resolution to the conflict. Israel should implement the recommendations made by the fact-finding mission on the flotilla incident and comply with the advisory opinion of the International Court of justice to cease the construction of the separation wall. It was indispensable to give a new impulse to the peace negotiations, with the support of the international community, towards a definitive peace plan in conformity with the United Nations resolutions. Speakers reiterated their solidarity and strong support to the Palestinians.
Senegal on behalf of the African Group, Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Denmark on behalf of the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mauritania on behalf of the Arab Group, Argentina on behalf of the Common Southern Market MERCOSUR, India on behalf of the IBSA Forum: India, brazil and South Africa, Switzerland, Russian Federation, Norway, United States of America, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia, Bahrain, Nicaragua, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Iran and Oman took the floor in the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
The Council will resume its general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories at 3 p.m.
Documentation
The Council has before it the report of the High Commissioner on the implementation of Human Rights Council resolutions S-9/1 and S-12/1 in which the High Commissioner was requested to monitor, document and report on human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza and East Jerusalem, and report periodically to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/19/20)
The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/HRC/19/46)
The Council has before it an addendum to the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (A/HRC/19/46/Add.1)
The Council has before it the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 (A/HRC/19/76)
Opening Statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
NAVI PILLAY, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the human rights challenges in the occupied Palestinian territory were intrinsically linked to the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements, including violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. The Israeli Government must investigate all incidents of violence against Palestinians and ensure that the perpetrators were held accountable. Israel should ensure that Palestinians could easily access Israeli police stations and register complaints. There were incidents of excessive use of force by Israeli security forces; the Government should cease the use of live ammunition against civilians. The main results of Israel’s blockade of Gaza continued to be poverty, unemployment and the deterioration of health care, education and water and sanitation facilities. Israeli should facilitate the movement of civilians to and from Gaza, ensure that reconstruction material could be delivered and permit more goods to be exported. The High Commissioner urged the Government of Israel to bring its policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory in line with its international humanitarian law obligations as the occupying power. On the Palestinian side, there were concerns of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment, especially in Gaza. Palestinian leaders should ensure any credible allegation of ill-treatment was investigated promptly and impartially. Palestinian leaders should reinforce safeguards for freedoms of opinion, expression, association and assembly and should demonstrate leadership in securing these freedoms, including for human rights defenders and journalists. The firing of indiscriminate projectiles toward Israel from Gaza was illegal and unjustifiable. The High Commissioner encouraged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to implement the small steps recommended in her report to not only improve the lives of civilians but also to demonstrate the leaders’ commitment to the goal of living side by side in peace and security.
Statements by Concerned Countries
Israel, speaking as a concerned country, said agenda item 7 was actually more correctly understood to be the agenda item for targeting Israel. Palestinian leaders refused to even recognize Israel as a Jewish State and made knowingly false calms. Israel remained the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel was certainly not perfect and Israel’s vibrant media and civil society pointed out those mistakes regularly. Life for Palestinians had improved. It was time for friends of the Palestinians to speak openly and even bluntly. Statehood, independence and full membership in the international community could be reached through peaceful direct negotiations and mutual compromise with Israel. Israel supported a two State solution. But continuing the path of demonization, of internationalization, of rejecting dialogue, and resolutions drafted in order to condemn Israel would not achieve those goals. Recent events in the region had also made clear that the old habit of blaming Israel to somehow hide the lack of democracy and human rights in some Arab dictatorships had failed. It was time for the Council to get back to the real work. Work for the people of Syria and Iran and in other places where people’s lives actually depended on the international community taking action.
Palestine, speaking as a concerned country, said Palestine was willing to openly deal with the conclusions in the report of the High Commissioner and said that the relevant bodies in Palestine had already started taking steps and measures to protect human rights, in cooperation with the local office of the High Commissioner. The report proved that Israel ran a policy of daily violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, the policy of occupation and deliberate targeting and killings of civilians. Savage attacks by Israeli settlers, burning of mosques and uprooting of olive trees should be mentioned as well. Palestinian families of Jerusalem were arrested, their property was confiscated and they experienced administrative troubles. Urgent intervention was needed to stop Israel from changing the ethnic make up of Jerusalem. Settlements were the biggest obstacle to a peace agreement; Israeli’s announcements of increased settlements were evidence of its racist policy of the occupying power, which ran counter to international law. Palestine asked for an independent fact-finding mission to study the impact of settlements on political, social, economic rights of Palestinians. Israel must immediately start cooperating with the international community and shoulder its responsibilities as an occupying power, while the international community must fulfil its responsibilities and have Israel cease the occupation and respect the Fourth Geneva Convention applicable in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in occupied Jerusalem. The five-year long siege of the Gaza Strip by Israel was illegal, ran counter to international law, and violated the most basic of rights of Palestinians. Palestine hoped that the Council would adopt the four resolutions tabled by Member States during this session on this subject.
Syria, speaking as a concerned country, said the occupying power in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan had committed serious human rights violations. Israel was convinced that it was not accountable and stood above the law. In the occupied Syrian Golan, Israel had violated the right to self-determination, life, housing and property and had refused to take responsibility for acts of torture and cruel and inhumane treatment. The people in the Syrian Occupied Golan were denied the right to health and education and to visit their family in Syria. For over 25 years, Syrian prisoners had rotted in jail. The occupying power continued to ignore condemnation for its illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan in violation of international law. The Human Rights Council had failed to provide redress for the victims of occupation and Israel was given a green light to intensify killing, the confiscation of land and attempts to change the character of Arab Jerusalem. The Council risked becoming a forum for naming and shaming. Syria said that Israel should feel shame regarding the policies and practices of its Government and had no right to accuse anyone of anything as it was the last State that could speak about democracy and human rights.
General Debate on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Arab Occupied Territories
Senegal, speaking on behalf of the African Group, said in light of recent events in the Gaza Strip, the African Group deplored the loss of life and called on parties to show restraint. The African Group welcomed the current truce and emphasized its call for peace. The African Group called for a freeze of settlements on Palestinian land and the re-launch of the negotiations for peace. In the occupied Syrian Golan, the African Group took note of the report of the Secretary-General, prepared in application of resolution 16/17.
Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, stressed its support for the Palestinian people to realize freedom, peace and justice in line with long-standing international consensus recognizing the Palestinian people as a nation and recognizing their right to self-determination. The Non-Aligned Movement condemned Israel’s unlawful and aggressive use of military force and the settlement colonization campaign. The international community had to respond effectively to stop the harsh policies and practices against the Palestinian people and lend its support to address the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan and remaining occupied Lebanese land.
Denmark, speaking on behalf of the European Union, believed that negotiations were the best way forward for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The European Union called on both parties to come forward with comprehensive proposals on borders and security. The European Union held the view that Israeli measures on the ground aggravated the separation of East Jerusalem, and undermined the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and efforts to establish a viable and contiguous state. The European Union could not accept that the Palestinian population faced forcible transfers as a result of house demolitions, forced evictions and deportation.
Pakistan condemned, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the latest Israeli aggression in Gaza that had resulted in the killing of 27 persons, mostly children and women. The prolonged occupation of the Palestinian Territories by Israel remained the main obstacle to the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. Israel should stop all settlement activities particularly in and around East Jerusalem; open borders and facilitate free movement of goods and persons within the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including immediate lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip; and end illegal the occupation of the Syrian land.
Mauritania, on behalf of the Arab Group, condemned the systematic violations of the human rights of Palestinian people by the occupying force and the latest attacks that led to the death of more than 20 civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip. Israel’s policy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories was based on destruction and confiscation of property, building of the separation wall, and building of checkpoints everywhere and these practices must be condemned by the world. The people in the Occupied Syrian Golan were fighting to preserve their identity and suffered huge losses as a result of Israeli’s exploitation of water sources for the benefit of settlers.
Argentina, on behalf of the Common Southern Market MERCOSUR, that that MERCOSUR counties had recognised the free, independent and sovereign Palestinian State in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions. The Common Southern Market had traditionally supported the rights of the Palestinians to establish their own State and the right of Israel to live in peace and security next to its neighbours and within secure and internationally recognized borders. It was indispensable to give a new impulse to the peace negotiations, with the support of the international community, towards a definitive peace plan in conformity with the United Nations resolutions.
India, speaking on behalf of IBSA Forum (India, Brazil, South Africa), said Israel should lift the blockade on Gaza and facilitate the movement of persons and goods to and from Gaza. All sides should refrain from violent measures including targeted killings and rocket launching. India, Brazil and South Africa had welcomed the Palestinian request for full membership at the United Nations and called for the urgent resumption of effective and results-oriented negotiations aimed at the realization of an independent Palestinian State. India, Brazil and South Africa sponsored development projects in Palestine; the IBSA Fund was an important instrument to alleviate poverty and hunger and a useful vehicle for meaningful South-South cooperation.
Switzerland said that persistent human rights violations had been committed by all parties in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and called for restraint on both sides. Switzerland condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements, which were not only illegal under international law but also violated economic, political, social and cultural rights. Switzerland was concerned about the thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank who lived under construction restrictions, especially the discriminatory practices against the Bedouins living in zone C. Switzerland condemned the indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza.
The Russian Federation had always advocated a comprehensive and just settlement of the conflict based on a two State solution. In international fora, the Russian Federation had actively supported a resumption of negotiations and the full implementation and adoption of all United Nations resolutions, including those by the Human Rights Council. Unity and reconciliation among Palestinians was essential for the peace process and the recent agreement on political elections in the West Bank and Gaza was a positive development. The Russia Federation expressed concern at the arbitrary arrests of Palestinians by Israeli forces, especially of minors. It also strongly condemned the firing of rockets from Gaza.
Norway said the occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza denied the Palestinian people the fundamental right of self-determination. For the Palestinians to enjoy full human rights, ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian State was required. Norway deplored Israeli authorities’ legislation for new housing units and approval for expanding settlements. The responsibility rested on all authorities, including Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the de facto authorities in Gaza, to uphold human rights. Norway deplored the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
United States said its goal remained a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. The recent three weeks of direct discussion between the parties showed promise. The United States remained committed to supporting the efforts of humanitarian agencies. The United States continued to be deeply troubled by this Council’s biased and disproportionate focus on Israel, as exemplified by the standing agenda item. The hypocrisy was amplified by resolutions brought under it, including a resolution on the human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, motivated by the Syrian regime when it was murdering its own citizens.
China said the Palestinian question was the crux of the Middle East question. China considered it important to continue to follow the situation in the Middle East, including the situation in Palestine and East Jerusalem, so that the Palestinian people could enjoy their human rights. In order to maintain peace and security, the international community should support efforts for peace and accelerate the resolution of the situation to avoid further disturbances in the region.
Qatar said that the persistent violations of the human rights of Palestinians by Israel caused the deterioration of the situation and ran counter to international law, including the ignoring of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. The policy of illegal settlements, confiscation of property and other acts of Israel were attempts to alter the demographic balance of the occupied territories and East Jerusalem.
Saudi Arabia said that one of the most serious impediments to the resumption of peace negotiations were illegal Israeli settlements and new measures it undertook on the ground that amounted to illegal colonization. Saudi Arabia said that no efforts should be spared to stop settlement activities of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Occupied Syrian Golan, as they constituted violations of international law and the Geneva Conventions.
Malaysia condemned the recent Israeli air attack on Gaza which killed 27 civilians and was the worst act of violence since the assault in December 2008. Malaysia called for the lifting of the inhuman blockade of Gaza and the resumption of economic and reconstruction activities there. Israel should implement the recommendations made by the fact-finding mission on the flotilla incident and comply with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice to cease the construction of the separation wall.
Ecuador reaffirmed its recognition of the Palestinian State and called on both Israel and Palestine to achieve a peaceful outcome through open dialogue and negotiation. Ecuador supported the Palestinian peoples’ right to have an independent State as well as the right of Israel to live in peace with its neighbours. Ecuador condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements and the use of extrajudicial executions.
Indonesia said Israel should lift the blockade of Gaza and enable measures to facilitate the movement of people to and from Gaza. Indonesia strongly condemned the policies of the Occupying Power to transfer Israeli civilians into occupied territories and to transfer Bedouin communities from the West Bank and urged Israel to terminate such policies. Indonesia reiterated its solidarity and strong support to the Palestinians.
Jordan said that Israel continued to violate human rights and international humanitarian law. The solution to the Palestinian problem required Israel to put an end to its occupation of Palestinian land and to stop unilateral measures, including the policy of settlements, the confiscation of Palestinian property, and the eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem. Jordan had hosted several Arab-Israeli meetings and reiterated its firm and unwavering support to the Palestinian peoples’ right to self-determination.
Maldives said in the occupied Palestinian territories, the basic human rights which powered the Arab Spring were denied on a daily basis. For more than six decades, in a culture of impunity, Israel had systematically dismantled the dignity of the Palestinian people. The most flagrant example of the human rights violations of Palestinians was the ongoing illegal settlement activity. The Maldives called on Israel to immediately freeze all settlement activity. Without a Palestinian State, there could never be Palestinian rights.
Kuwait said the suffering of the Palestinian people under occupation was growing day by day through the systematic and gross violations of their basic rights. The list of violations was long and well known to all. But only those living in these territories knew the bitter taste of life under Israeli occupation. The Council was handcuffed by the lack of Israeli cooperation and the lack of a mechanism to enforce decisions under item 7. Despite the growing agony of the men, women and children of the occupied territories, there were voices in the Council to remove agenda item 7.
Libya said Israel continued to reject a comprehensive and just settlement. The Israeli occupier had instead resorted to the use of force. Israel continued to annex land, destroy settlements and forcibly transfer Bedouins in violation of rulings of the International Court of Justice. The policy of a stifling blockade, restricting the movement of persons and goods in Gaza, had led to starvation, suffering and collective punishment. Libya called on the Council to put an end to the massacres and compel the Israeli occupier to comply with all human rights instruments.
Mauritania said that although the right to decent housing had been recognized as a human right, Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories were systematically deprived of this right. The impact of illegal settlements deprived the Palestinian people of a decent standard of living. The international community should live up to its responsibilities and protect the Palestinian people and their private and public property.
Cuba said that the violence that had rained down on the Gaza Strip had claimed the lives of more than 20 Palestinian citizens and the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories required the urgent attention of the Council. Cuba condemned actions of the occupying force, including illegal settlements, building of the separation wall, destruction of property and arbitrary detentions. The blockade of the Gaza Strip must be lifted immediately and unconditionally, said Cuba and expressed its support for the right of the Palestinian people to enter the United Nations as a fully-fledged member.
Bangladesh said that Palestinian people were in a dire situation which deteriorated every day because of Israeli actions. The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip was the primary cause of poverty and deprivation of 1.6 million Palestinians subjected to collective punishment. Without redress, tensions and despair in the occupied territories would continue to rise and further destabilize the area. The international community should act without prejudice and compel Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and other international instruments and resolutions.
Sri Lanka said it was time for decisive action to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories and the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine. Sri Lanka condemned the settlement campaign in the West Bank, the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the detention and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinian people. The international community should do more to support a just resolution of the Palestinian question.
Turkey said Turkey had always promoted a two-State solution that would create a State of Palestine living in peace and security with the State of Israel. Israel should seriously commit itself to respecting the existing final status parameters, particularly the 1967 borders. The blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israel should be lifted and Israeli accountability for the ‘Mavi Marmara’ humanitarian flotilla massacre must be ensured.
Egypt said international will and determination was needed to convince Israel to stop its illegal occupation policies in the occupied Golan and Palestine. The oppressive Israeli siege in the Gaza Strip should cease and Egypt strongly condemned the recent military raids by Israel in Gaza. Egypt had supported last year’s mediation process for prisoner exchange and said that the High Commissioner’s report should have considered the deplorable conditions Palestinians suffered in Israeli prisons.
Sudan said the suffering endured by Palestinians at the hands of the occupying power for dozens of years was a repulsive example of the failure of institutions claiming to preserve human rights. The crimes committed by Israel and the siege on the Gaza Strip were gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. This deprived the Palestinians of all their rights, including freedom, self-determination, health, decent housing, decent living conditions and education. Sudan stressed the need to take immediate action to make the occupying power respect the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Algeria said the latest cruel attack against Gaza had led to dozens of deaths and injuries. The occupying force was continuing to deny human rights to the large Palestinian population. Algeria reminded the international community of the need to put an end to the construction of settlements. Concerning the conclusions of the fact-finding mission on the conflict in Gaza and aggression against the flotilla, Algeria hoped that by next year when the Council resumed, accountability would have been restored and all violations would have come to an end.
Tunisia said the crimes documented in the report of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner concerning the attack in Gaza gave rise to serious concerns about the plight of the Palestinian people and their human rights as enshrined in humanitarian and human rights law. Tunisia shared concern about the use of live ammunition at checkpoints against civilians and the lack of accountability for these crimes. The Fourth Geneva Convention needed to be applied in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Tunisia deplored the blockade and condemned the Judaization of the holy city of Jerusalem.
Bahrain said that States were duty bound to uphold human rights including the rights of people living under foreign occupation. More than half a million Israeli settlers were now living on the Palestine lands that had been illegally taken away by Israel; settlements presented the biggest obstacle to a solution in the region. A just and comprehensive peace agreement could not be reached until Israel withdrew from all occupied territories.
Nicaragua said that the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories continued to be of grave concern as Israel continued punishing Palestinian people in front of the international community. Nicaragua would continue to support the Palestinian people to take their rightful place as a full-fledged member of the United Nations so that they could freely exercise their right to self-determination.
South Africa said that the killing of many Palestinians was a continuing reality of discriminatory practices underlying settlement expansion and impunity for settler violence. The blockade of Gaza continued despite the calls of the international community to lift it. Israel also demonstrated utter disregard for the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the separation wall. The ongoing violations impeded chances of a political settlement of the crisis.
United Arab Emirates said that the High Commissioner’s report had revealed the continued illegal practices by the occupying power in Palestinian territories. In addition to the usual violations, there occurred an ongoing daily harassment of Palestinians by Israeli settlers. What would the Human Rights Council do to ensure that Israel implemented the recommendations from the report and other United Nations resolutions? The United Arab Emirates called on the Council to adopt the draft resolution under item 7 and to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.
Morocco said the Israeli attack on Gaza last Friday that had killed more than 20 people was a violation of the truce agreement and international law. The Palestinian question faced grave difficulties under a faltering peace process and the Human Rights Council had to hold concerted efforts to end human rights violations. Morocco noted the special status of East Jerusalem which had resisted efforts to change its character. The Palestinian people had the right to an independent State with Jerusalem as its capital and to live in peace side by side with Israel.
Iran said the report of the High Commissioner had drawn attention to the horrific incidents that had occurred by so-called ‘Israeli Defense Forces’. Recent air strikes on Gaza which had killed at least 27 innocent Palestinians, including women and children, demonstrated that this regime had continued and even intensified its heinous crimes against the oppressed and defenceless Palestinian people. The Israeli regime had raised issues on Iran to deflect attention from its long list of crimes including masterminding the assassination of Iranian innocent nuclear scientists.
Oman said despite the fact that the Israeli authorities were increasing pressure on the Palestinian population, Israel also followed a policy of assassination and indiscriminately shelling without justification. It had resorted to force against civilians, thereby violating human rights. Oman believed in the Arab initiative for peace. Oman called on the international community to take all measures to compel the dismantling of illegal settlements and allow the Palestinian people to return to their homes.
For use of the information media; not an official record
HRC12/044E