UAE expresses grave concern about human rights situation in Palestine
Date
3/21/2016 9:07:39 PM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
GENEVA 21st March 2016 (WAM) --- The UAE expressed today grave concern about the catastrophic human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and flagrant violations of international law by the occupying force.
The UAE backs the statements of the group of Arab and Muslim countries who also expressed concern over the results of reports prepared by the mandate holders the UN Secretary-General the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent Commission for Human Rights of Palestine about the human rights situation in Palestine Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi UAE Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva said in a statement before the council today.
The Human Rights Council today discussed the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and other Occupied Arab Territories holding an interactive dialogue with Makarim Wibisono Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and then hearing the presentation of reports by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories followed by a general debate.
Al Zaabi said the reports confirmed that Israel pursues a policy of collective punishment starving and terrorising Palestinians through building more settlements attempting to judaise Jerusalem and change the city's demographics and demolishing Palestinian residents' homes in a bid to displace them to neighbouring countries.
He said the Human Rights Council had to ensure that Israel did not enjoy impunity for crimes described by the Human Rights Council as crimes against humanity.
For the Human Rights Council the situation is becoming more complicated in Palestine because Israel is not held to account and because its settlement policy is illegitimate Al Zaabi noted.
He also noted that the Human Rights Council stressed that accountability is one of the pillars of its work.
Speaking on the UAE's position on the Palestinian issue Al Zaabi said the major step towards putting an end to the explosive and unbearable situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is to arrive at a peaceful solution to end the occupation.
Al Zaabi urged the Human Rights Council to focus its future efforts on placing all possible pressures on Israel to stop pursuing its settlement policy.
He called for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on the Arab Initiative the relevant UN resolutions to protect the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Ambassador Al Zaabi also stressed the importance of appointing a new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories during the current session of the council.
WAM/MMYS