PAKISTAN PERN{ANENTMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS 8 EAST 65th STREET - NEW YORK. NY IOO2I- QIA 879.8600 Pleasc.checkagainst delivery STATEMENT BY AMBASSAD OR FARUKH AIVII DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATTVE IN TTIE SPECIAL POLITICAL AT.{DDECOLONIZATION (4TH) COMMTTTEE ON THE REPORT OF TIIE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO II{VESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICESAFFECTING THE HUIVTAN RIGHTS OF TI{E PALESTINIAN PEOPLEAI\D OTHER ARABS OF TIIE OCCI,JPIED TERRITORIES New York, 12November,2007 Mr. Chairman, of On behalf of the PakistandelegationI would like to thank the Chairman 1. by the Special the Special Committee for his briefing. The important work being done the findings Committee is highly commendabteana has our ful| support. We endorse of and recommendations the SpecialCommittee' The Committee'sreport, once again, presentsa gravepicnrre of the human 2. that rights of the Palestinian p.opl. and othJr Arabs of the Occupied Territories has reported continue to be affectedby tire Iiraeli policiesand practices.The Committee in the Occupied seriousdeterioration of ih. h.r*u.r rights situation acrossthe specffum occupation' Palestinian Territory and also in thebccupied Syrian Golan, arising from populations of those areasas The Committee hai also noted the despondencyof the These findings regardsprospectsfor an improvement in the situation of human rights' by WFP, FA9' UNWA and are corroboratedby a number of IIN reports, especially imagesof this human tragedy,we wifnessfrequently OCHA. Stirring and heartbreaking and on our televisionscreens print media' pakistan is deeply concemed over the continuing plight of the Palestinian 3. cycle of population and their collictive punishment under Israef occupation' The and violence and continuing militiry aggtession especially the indiscriminate civilian populations disproportionateuseof foice resultingin leaths and injuries among the loss of and damage to property and infrasti.r.tot. is condemnable.We denounce innocent civilian life on both sides. Mr. Chairmant of The continuing illegal consffuction of the separation wall, expansion 4. of Palestinian and movement settlementsand by-passr6ads,iestrictions on free access and roadblocksare human rights populations and gooAr through closures,checkpoints rights and violations in thJmselves. They also trigger other violations of human education, hardships including denial of iight to property, accessto work, business, the Palestinian private and family life, as well as depriving health and social slervices, other people of their scarcewater resoulces.The damagesresulting from these and with the principles of aspects of occupation must be compensatedin accordance situation has a international law. Deterioration of theiocio-economic and humanitarian impact on women and children. We are also concernedover the particularly devastating arblgarr and illegal continuing extra-judicll killings, abductionsand disappearances' in Israeli prisons' detention,and tornrre and inhumanetreatmentof the detainees the The General Assembly has repeatedly reaffirmed the applicability of 5. War of 12 of Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Personsin Time August 1949,to all the occupiedterritories.We call upon all sidesto shun violence and respecttheir respectiveobligationsunder international human rights and humanitarian law. 6. Of particular concem is the situation in the Gaza Strip. The illegal declarationby Israel of the Gaza Strip as an "enemy entity", the imposition of further suppliesof electricity, fuel and other goodsto restrictionsincluding stepsto cut essential the civilian population will lead to further worsening of the human rights and the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. These steps are contrary to Israel's obligation towards the civilian population under internationalhumanitarianand human rlghts law. The siegeof Gaza must be brought to an immediateend. Mr. Chairman, is 7. The questionof Palestine the core of the Arab-Israeliconflict. Its just and and lasting peaceand final settlementis imperativefor the attainment of comprehensive is stability in the Middle East.This important discussion yet anotherdemonstrationand reaffirmation of the permanent responsibility of the United Nations towards the question of Palestine until it is resolved in all its aspectsin a satisfactorymanner in with intemational legitimacy. It is also an occasionto underlinethe need for accordance just, lasting and comprehensivesettlementof the Arab-Israeli conflict in its entirety conflicts. including the Syria-Israeland Lebanon-Israel 8. It is evident that the root cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict is the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories.The human rights violations, including the denial of the fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination, are a direct result of preoccupation. End to occupation of all the Arab territories is therefore a necessary requisite and sine-qua-nonfor peace.In the searchfor peacefuland durable solutions, the futility of use of fbrce and unilateral acfionsis manifest.It is clear that the only way forward is through dialogueand negotiations. 9. An end to Israeli practicesaffecting the human rights of the peoplesin the occupied territories is also important for building an environment of ffust and confidencefor dialogue.Both sides,Israel in particular, should put an end to the circle of violence and hostilities. Socio-economic insulation and strangulation of the Palestinianpeople must be stopped.Israel must also halt deliberatepolicies of changing the facts on ground that could affec. final settlementincluding the territorial integrity of the future Palestinian state and the contiguity of Palestinian lands. Inter-Palestinian harmony is also essential in the face of occupation. The revival of the spirit and would of substance the Makkah Agreementon ground as well as in the political process be in the interestof lasting peace. by Pakistan supportsseriousand consffuctive engagement the intemational 10. solution to the Palestinianissue,based community aimed at seekinga comprehensive the relevant Security Council on legality, morality and justice. Previous agreements, principle of land for peace,the road map, and the Arab PeaceInitiative resolutions,the provide the framework for advancingtowards a permanentfwo-statesolution, with an independentand sovereignPalestinianState living side by side in peaceand security - a with Israel. We welcomethe current effortsbeing exerted,including the initiative for an for Intemational Conference, the resumption of dialogueand negotiationsbetweenthe two sides. We believe that these negotiationsmust be substantive,addressingthe key final status issuesand an agreementon clear timeframe for the attainment of the twostatesolution. support to 11. I would like to reiteratePakistan'sfirm commitment and steadfast the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for self-determinationand freedom and the realtzationof a viable independentPalestinianstate. 12. In our view, efforts will also need to be undertakenin parallel to achieve of negotiatedlasting settlements Israel'sconflicts with Syria and Lebanon. It is high time to definitively resolvethe Arab-Israeli conflict to usher in an 13. peace,stability and progressin the Middle East. Undoubtedly, this would have a era of positive impact on regional and intemational peace and security. The task may be difficult but not beyondthe diplomatic ingenuity, political will and the craving for peace from all sides. The international community, in particular the United Nations must fulfill their obligations and throw their full weight behind the objective of a and durablepeacein the Middle East. comprehensive Thank vou.