Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) oral update

Item 7: Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

24 September 2018

Joint statement by: International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice

Mr. President,

We welcome the update of the Commission on Inquiry and note with pleasure the Commission’s statement that accountability for human rights abuses is critical. Unfortunately, we continue to observe the severe position taken by Israel toward the rights of Palestinian civilians, and the actions taken by Israel as a result of its occupation of Palestinian territory.

International law establishes a number of clear responsibilities for an occupying power following an armed conflict. Israel’s half-century of occupation, has resulted in repeated violations of the Palestinian population’s rights, including rights to work, health, adequate standard of living and freedom of movement. With such consistent and recurring violations resulting in the deteriorated living standards and conditions of Palestinians, it is no surprise that people subjected to such conditions protest. As has been noted by others, the protest and related events that are the subject of your mandate have occurred within a larger context, including that of the ongoing occupation.

Mr. President,

International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice would like to request the Commission to particularly examine the links between the March protest and the ongoing occupation and isolation of Palestinian territory. We believe that any inquiry into specific events of this sort cannot produce results if they are not properly situated within the larger situation. We request all states to provide any necessary assistance to the Commission in the conduct of its important work.

Thank you.