Summary
The General Assembly’s committee, established by resolution 2443 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968, which has investigated human rights in the territories occupied since June 1967 and reported regularly, without Israel’s co-operation or access; its 1982 report concluded that persistent violation derives from the very fact of a 15-year military occupation and a policy of colonization and annexation (Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part III (1978-1983), lines 243-268).
Details
-
The Committee has reported regularly to the Secretary-General in accordance with its mandate, the reports transmitted to the General Assembly, and its mandate has been renewed at each session. Ever since its inception it has requested Israel’s co-operation; Israel has refused, including denying it access to the occupied territories (lines 243-247 approx.).
-
On 22 January 1982 the Committee asked the Secretary-General to use his good offices in a further effort to secure co-operation; on 23 February 1982 it was informed the Israeli authorities had not changed their position (lines 247-249 approx.).
-
Its 1982 report (A/37/485), quoted at length in the study, concluded on the basis of sources considered reliable and in any case not contradicted by the Government of Israel (printed “in any not contradicted”): violation will cease only when the Palestinian people are allowed self-determination, and Syrian nationals in the Golan Heights will not secure their rights until that territory is reintegrated into Syrian territory; the military orders through which Israel has changed law in all areas have exceeded 950; the economy of the occupied territories has been completely subjugated to the Israeli economy; the “village leagues” established from September 1981 have been accorded permit powers despite having no popular base; and settlements were being consolidated in particular around Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah, with the security argument for annexation and settlement without justification (lines 253-265 approx.).
-
Resolution 38/79 D, reproduced in annex II, commends the Committee for its thoroughness and impartiality, deplores Israel’s continued refusal of access and demands access be allowed, and requests the Committee to continue investigating Israeli policies and practices and the treatment of civilians in detention, consulting as appropriate with the International Committee of the Red Cross; the resolution was adopted by 115 votes to 2, with 27 abstentions, after consideration of the Committee’s report (A/38/409) (lines 263-265, 811-912 approx.).
-
In Part IV, the Committee’s successive reports record the worsening situation 1984-1988; its 1988 report noted settler acts reaching “an unprecedented level” and a phase “characterized by a level of violence and repression never reached before in the course of the 21 years of occupation”, stated the occupation itself constituted a violation of human rights, and recommended full application of the Fourth Geneva Convention, ICRC co-operation and support for the ICRC and UNRWA. Its 1986 report recorded the revived “iron-fist” policy and concluded Israeli policy is based on the principle that the territories occupied in 1967 constitute part of the State of Israel; its 1987 report concluded the annexation policy had led to an explosive situation (Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part IV (1984-1988), lines 115-138, 319-322, 361-363).
Related pages
Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part III (1978-1983), Human Rights, Administrative Detention, City of Jerusalem, Origins and Evolution of the Palestine Problem: Part IV (1984-1988)