HIGH COMMISSIONER PRESENTS UPDATE ON HER OFFICE’S ACTIVITIES
AT OPENING OF TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Council Holds a General Debate on Annual Report of the High Commissioner and Reports of Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General
10 June 2014
The Human Rights Council this morning opened its twenty-sixth regular session, hearing an address from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, in which she updated the Council on her Office’s activities.
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The High Commissioner remained deeply troubled by death and injuries resulting from excessive use of force by Israeli security forces and concerned by continued demolitions and evictions of Palestinians.
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General Debate on Annual Report of High Commissioner for Human Rights and Reports of Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General
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Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressed concern about systematic violations against the Palestinian people and called on the international community to take measures in this regard. Despite the legitimate expectations of developing countries, the right to development had not been adequately addressed in the report of the High Commissioner.
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Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, thanked the High Commissioner and her Office for efforts in following up human rights issues around the world. The High Commissioner was thanked for drawing attention to increasing violations that Palestinians were subjected to, by Israelis.
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Saudi Arabia … Concern was expressed with regards to the situation of Palestinians and the international community was asked to apply pressure on Israel to move towards peace.
Chile … Chile believed that there should be a commitment towards alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
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Algeria … The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights therefore needed resources for this and should address challenges such as racism, intolerance and xenophobia, but also, terrorism, the deterioration of human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the situation in the Western Sahara.
South Africa … South Africa also expressed concern about the situation of the Palestinian people.
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Maldives … Maldives reiterated the importance of retaining the agenda item on the plight of the self-determination and human rights of the people of the State of Palestine and other occupied territories.
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Kuwait noted that the High Commissioner had referred to violations and assaults, perpetrated by the Israeli authorities against the Palestinian people.
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Oman expressed appreciation for the humanitarian efforts of the High Commissioner throughout her mandate and wished her success in her future work. The concerns she expressed about the situation of the Palestinian people were spot on and the Palestinian question in the Middle East was an example of suffering of an entire nation.
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Jordan… Jordan condemned illegal settlements and the behaviour of the occupying power in Palestine.
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Malaysia … Malaysia condemned the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories, and in particular the latest decision by Israel to continue the construction of illegal settlements.
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Libya … Libya condemned the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
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General Arab Women Federation stressed that the question of Palestine remained an example of massive human rights violations and serious challenges in 2014. The determined pursuit of settlement construction and the calculating nature of Israel’s land annexation constituted a serious threat to international peace and security. Syria was also a matter of great concern, where external powers continued to fuel violence through all forms of military supply. The recent escalation of violence in Iraq was truly worrying.
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International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations underlined the importance of all the items on the current Human Rights Council’s agenda. Members of the Council should be reminded that they had agreed to keep the question of human rights in Palestine on the agenda until the illegal occupation had ended.
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For use of the information media; not an official record
HRC14/061E
Document Type: French text, Press Release, Statement, Voting record
Document Sources: Human Rights Council, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
Subject: Boundaries and demarcation lines, Economic issues, Human rights and international humanitarian law, International presence, Land, Living conditions, Palestine question, Peace process, Population, Prisoners and detainees, Protection, Racial discrimination, Settlements
Publication Date: 10/06/2014