28th special session of the Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem

18 May 2018

Joint statement of

International Organisation for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discriminations (EAFORD) and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)

Thank you Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice strongly condemns the attacks on Palestinian protesters by the Israeli occupying forces and we urge the Council to launch an independent and transparent enquiry into these attacks.

It should be well noted that the plight of the Palestinian people did not begin on May 14th or March 30th but has been long-standing for several decades. This is due to non-compliance by Israel with UN resolutions.

We, therefore, call on the UN Security Council to institute Chapter 7 of the UN Charter with regards to the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially considering the severity and longevity of the occupation and the insistence of Israel of violating previous resolutions.

We also urge the Council and all other relevant stake-holders to recall Resolution 181 and Resolution 36/120 among others with regards to the US and other Embassy moves to Jerusalem in relation to the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem. This move is in violation of UN resolutions and its timing during the 70th Anniversary of Nakba only adds insult to injury to the plight and suffering of the people of Palestine.

To this end, we call on the international community to put pressure on Israel to comply with UN resolutions and ensure the protection of the human rights of the Palestinian people including the right to return and the right to association and peaceful assembly.

Finally, we urge the Council to take all necessary measures and action towards ending the illegal occupation and guaranteeing the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.

Thank you.