Agenda Item 6: General Debate:

- Universal Periodic Review

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to stress on the importance of the UPR Mechanism as it provides a detailed examination to improve the human rights situation of states.

We note that during Iraq’s last cycle review, a number of recommendations called its government to immediately cease death penalty practices and to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. Likewise, Iraq has received many recommendations to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. However, in blatant disregard of UPR recommendations, Iraq has showed no action in neither abolishing death penalty, ceasing spread torture practices, nor ratifying these protocols.

Similarly, we call this council’s attention to Israel’s lack of adherence to UPR recommendations by failing to ratify the aforementioned Protocols in views to prohibit death penalty and the degrading treatment of people.  Moreover, contrary to recommendations of protecting the rights of Palestinian Citizens of Israel and to ensure non-discrimination in terms of justice, housing and property rights; Israel has enacted more laws that further discriminate against the rights of Palestinian people.

International Lawyers.org and GICJ hold that discrimination, vague provisions of anti-terror laws, death penalty and torture are used as tools for oppressing and imposing an atmosphere of fear and   forcing citizens to leave certain areas. Thus, we call upon the international community to pressure these States to immediately cease these practices and abide by their international obligations under International human rights law.

Thank you.