Alec. n3/zao6/cRp.l 25 January2006 Original:English Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Draft programme of work for 2006 f. Mandate of the Committee I' The mandate of the Committee on the Exerciseof the lnalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the year 2A06 is contained in General Assembly resolutions 60 1 3 6 ,6 0 1 3 7a n d 6 0 /3 8 o f I D e cember2005. 2' In its resolution 60/36, entitled "Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People", the GeneralAssembly expressed its appreciation to the Committee on the Exercise of the InalienableRights oi th, palestinian people for its efforts in performing the, tasks assigned to it bt the General Assembly and took note of its annual report,l including the conclusions and recommendations contained in chapter VII thereof; requested it to continue to exert all efforts to promote the realization of the inalienablerights of the Palestinianpeople, to support the Middle East peace process and to mobilize international support for and assistanceto the Palestinian people, and authorized it to make such adjustments in its approved programme of work as it may consider appropriate ancl ,r..Lrrury in the light of developments and to report thereon to the Generaf Assembly at its sixty-first session and thereafter. It also requestedthe Committee to continue to keep under review the situation relating to the question of Palestine and to report and make suggestionsto the General Assembly, the Security Council or the Secietary-General, as appropriate. It requested the Committee to continue to extend its cooperation and support to Palestinian and other civil society organizations in order to mobilize international solidarity and support for the achievementby the palestinian people of its inalienable rights and for a peaceful settlementof the question of palestine, and to involve additional civil society organizationsin its work. The Assembly requested the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestineand other United Nations bodies associatedwith the question of Palestineto continue to cooperate fully with the Committee and to make available to it, at its request,the relevant information and documentation which they had at their disposal. The Assembly also requested the Secretary-Generalto circulate the report of the Committee to all competent bodies of the United Nations, and urged them to take the necessary action, as appropriate. Iff|ilililt]ilililtilil il|il ililili fifl (E\ 06-22233 / r \ A/AC.l83/2006/CRP.l 3. In its resolution 60/37, entitled "Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat", the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to continue to provide the Division with the necessaryresources and to ensure that it continue to carry out its programme of work as detailed in the relevant earlier resolutions, in consultation with the Committee and under its guidance, including, in particular, the organization of meetings and conferences in various regions with the participation of all sectors of the international community, the further development and expansion of the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine(UNISPAL), the preparation and widest possible disseminationof publications and information materials on various aspects of the question of Palestine and the provision of the annual training programme for stalf of the Palestinian Authority. The Assembly also requested the Committee and the Division, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Perrnanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, and encouragedMember Statesto continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observanceof the Day of Solidarity. 4. [n its resolution 60/38, entitled "special information programme on the question of Palestine of the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat", the General Assembly requested the Department, in tuil cooperation and coordination with the Committee, to continue, with the necessaryflexibility as rnay be required by developments"its special inforrnation programrne for the biennium 2006-2007, and outlined a number of specific activities to be carried out under the programme. Ir. Priority issuesin the programme of work of the Committee for 2006 5. The Committee has reviewed the various aspects of its own programme of work and that of'the Division tbr Falestinian Rights, as well as of the rnandates governing them. It will continue to make adjustrnentsin this programme in the course of 2006 in order to enhanceits responsiveness developmentsin the peace to process and the situation on the ground, es well as to increase its etfectivenessin promoting the exerciseby the Palestinianpeopie of rts jnaiienablerighrs. 6' The Committee citngratulates ttre FalestinianBcopie orr the successfulholding of the elections to the Faiestinian Legislarrvgf pl'oncii. The Cornmittee exipresses its hope for the continued unity and sucoflss of thc Palestinian people i11 their dernocratic process ancnin their crideavcur tcl develop and strengthen national institutiorls. lt expresses its sincere hop,* that the mandate the newly electeci L e g i s l a ti v e C o u n c i l h a s re c ei ved frt:ni the P al esti ni anpeopl e w i l l l ead tq posi ti ve developrnents in the Occupieci Fal*stinian Territory an4 to new steps airned at encling the Israeli-Palestinian conilict. l'he opportunity brought about by the democratic elections must be built on and seized by the parties to try to revitalize peace negotiations based on the principles of international lar.r,and the relevant tJnited Nations resolutions. 7' The Committee welcomed the trsraeli withdrau'al from the Gaza Strip and four small settlements in the northern West tsank as a rare opportunity to revive negotiationswithin the framer.vork the'r*ad map anclto restartthe stalled political af 06-22233 NAC.t83t2006/cRP.l process' At the same time, Israel remains in control of the borders of the Gaza Strip, including its territorial sea and airspace,and the movement of people and goods into and out of Gaza. The Committee will support efforts by the palestinian Authority to revitalize the economy of the Gaza strip, among othei things, through maintaining law and order, establishing a permanent link between Gaza and the West Bank, allowing trade with other countries and encouraging donor countries and private investors to contribute to the economic development of Gaza. 8' The committee is strongly opposed to the expansion of settlementsin the west Bank and efforts to complete the construction of the wall on palestinian land. It is particularly alarmed by the intention of the Israeli Government to expand large settlement blocks in the west Bank, which would separate East Jerusalem from the Wesi Bank and the southern West Bank from its northern part. The settlements and the wall constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian Territory are contrary to international humanitarian law and n.r-.io.,s resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. They seriously hamper efforts to resolve the conflict and may render the prospect of a two-State solution physically impossible to implement. The committee position is that the international community must ensure that the occupying Power abide by the provisions of the Advisory opinion of the International court of Justice, as dernanded by the General Assembly in resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004 and subsequentGeneral Assembly resolutions. It urges the Secretary-Generalto expedite the establishment of the register of damage caused by the building of the-wall. As requested by the General Assembly, the committee will continue to keep the situation under review and to promote a-constructive analysis and discussion of these issues by the international community. 9' The Committee is gravely concerned at the continuation by Israel, the occupying Power, of illegal settlement activities and its construction of the wall in and around East Jerusalem and further isolation of the city from the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which is having a detrimental effect on the lives of Palestinians and could prejudge a final status igr*.*rnt on Jerusalem. It reiterates that ajust solution of the question of Jerusalem iu irr.tirp.nsable for achieving a twoState solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and should take fully into account the legitimate concerns of both sides. l0' The Committee remains very concerned about the actions and policies of the occupying Power, including the continuing use of military force throughout the occupied Palestinian Territory, the practicJof collective punishment, extrajudicial assassinations,and the imprisonment of thousands of palistinians. The Committee believes that a negotiated solution that will end the occupation, ensure the exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights and provide security for the State of Israel is urgently needed. I l' The Committee continues to believe that the road map remains the most viable means of achieving the goal of a comprehensive,just anci lasting resolution of the conflict through the implernentation ortne two-State solution of Israel and palestine, based on thepre-1967 borders. This settlement must conform with international law and with security council resolutions 242 (1967),33g ( 1973), r3g7 (20aq, r 5l5 (2003) and other relevant united Nations resolutions. ihe parties should refrain from any unilateral rneasuresthat would undermine efforts to achieve a final peace settlement' The comrnittee has been encouraged by renewed efforts of the international comrnunity, in particular the Quartet, but also Egypt and Jordan, to I 06-22233 A/AC.r$/2006/CRP.l revitalize the road map, facilitate the dialogue between the parties and implement their commitments. The Committee is of the view, however, that the plan and its time line require adjustment that would take into account the developments on the ground that have taken place in 2005. 12. The Committee is of the view that its programme of activities, mandated by the General Assembly, contributes to focusing the attention of Governments, intergovernmental and civil society organizations and the general public on issues crucial for advancing a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Throughout 2006, its work witl remain focused on promoting a better understanding, as gauged by international public opinion, of the importance of the achievement by the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights, namely the right to self-determination, the right to an independent, sovereign State and the right of return, as well as the urgency of achieving a comprehensive,just and lasting solution of the question of Palestine" 13. As in previous years, the Committee will maintain its support of the Palestinian people and the political process through a variety of activities. In 2A06, the Committee will pay special attention to assessingthe situation on the ground, and supporting the creation of conditions conducive to the resumption of peace negotiations, including the complete cessation of all acts of violence, such as military attacks, destruction and acts of terror. The Comrnittee will highlight the responsibility of the occupying Power for ending its illegal policies and practices, such as the settlement activity, the construction of the wall and various measures of collective punishment. The Committee will maintain its support for revitalized antl active international involvement aimed at encouraging both parties to overcome the current impasse in the peace process? including through the Quartet and the continued personal engagement of the Secretary-Generalof the United Nations and the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. The Comrnittee will also focus on issues relating the Palestinian economic recovery and the urgency of providing international assistancetn the Palestinian people. It will lay special emphasis on raising to a greater extent international awareness of the the most vulnerable segment of the plight of Palestinian women and chitdr Palestinian society *- suffering as a result of the occupation. 14. The Committee attaches great importance to enhancing cooperation and coordination between the Department of Public Information and the Division for Palestinian Rights, in the implementation of their respective mandates. In its resolution 60/38, the General Assembly requested the Department, inter alia, to expand its collection of audio-visual material on the question of Palestine and to continue the production and preservation of such material and the updating of the exhibit in the Secretariat. The Committee will continue to cooperate with the Department in carrying out the various rnandatedactivities. III. A. Activities of the Committee and the llivision for Palestinian Rights Action by the Committee 15. In pursuance of its mandate, the Committee will continue to keep under review the situation relating to the question of Palestine and participate in relevant meetings of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Committee will 06-22233 A/AC.183/2006/CRP.r also continue to monitor the situation on the ground and draw the attention of the international community to urgent developments in the Occupied Palestinian 'ferritory, including East Jerusalem,requiring international action. 16. The Committee, through its Chairman, will continue to participate in relevant intergovernmental and other cont'erences and meetings, os necessary. The Committee considers this activity an important aspect of its work in prornotion of international support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. 17. In cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, the Committee will cclntinue to maintain contacts with the Palestinian Authority and other institutions, including civil society, in the areas under its jurisdiction and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Following the practice of the previous years, the Committee will continue to invite Palestinian officials and other Palestinian personalities to meetings with members and observers of the Committee and the Secretariat, as required. 18. The Bureau of the Committee will continue consultations with Governments and intergovernmental organizations interested in its programme of work, including members of the European Union and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and others. These exchanges should help to promote understanding of the Committee mandate and obiectives. B . International meefings and conferences 19" The Committee considers that its programme of international meetings and conferences facilitates discussion and analysis of the various aspects of the question of Palestine. The rneetings highlight the most pressing issues, such as the need to end violence, stop settlement activities and improve the living conditions of the Palestinian population. They contribute to raising international awarenessof the root cause of the conflict, narnely the clccupation by Israel of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. They also mobilize international support for efforts to resolve the conflict and implement the road rnap" The Comrnittee highly appreciates the involvement in these meetings of Governments, intergovernmental organizations, United Nations entities and civil society, and encourages them to continue and to increase the level of engagement and support for a just solution of the conflict" It will continue to carry out this programme to foster support for the attainment by the Palestinian peclple of its inalienable rights in accordance with international legitimacy. 20. trn its programme of meetings and conferences for 2006, the Committee intends to address issues such as the need to end the occupation of all Palestinian land; the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to rehabilitate the economy, especially that of the Gaza Strip; the responsibility of all Governments for applying international law to all aspects of the question of Palestine in accordance with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice; the urgency of resuming the political process and implementing the road map; the adverse consequencesof the settlement policy and the construction of the wall for the achievement of a two-State solution; the need to protect the Palestinian 06-22233 A/AC.183/2006/CRP.l people; the humanitarian and socio-economic situation, including the plight of Palestinian women and children; and the role of civil society. 21. ln 20A6, the Comrnittee, in cooperation with prospective host countries, organizations and relevant Secretariat services, will do its utmost to ensure the successof its programme of meetings and conferences. In so doing, it will keep in mind the need for economy and the most cost-effective utilization of resources.The Committee will continue to make an effort to encourage participation by countries and organizations that so far have not engaged fully in its programme of work. 22. The Committee intends to organize the following international meetings and conferences in 2006: . United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People . United Nations International Meeting in Support of Middle East Peace. The meeting will be followed by an NGO event in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace . United Nations Asian Meeting on the Question of Palestine. The meeting will be followed by an NGO event in solidarity with the Palestinian people . United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of IsraeliPalestinian peace C. Cooperation with civil society Civil society organizations 23. The Committee commends civil society organizations for their eftbrts to uphold international legitimacy with regard to the question of Palestine through advocacy and mobilizing public opinion, as well as for their humanitarian and assistanceinitiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people and improving their living conditions. The Committee welcomes initiatives aimed at promoting the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions. It encourages civil society organizations to focus and synchronize their advocacy efforts, at the local, national, regional and international levels, on the legal obligations of Governments, as elucidated in the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, and to coordinate their activities. It supports recent civil society initiatives, including in developing countries, to establish umbrella mechanisms to better coordinate their work. The Committee also backs all humanitarian and assistance initiatives geared towards improving the daily lives of the Palestinians. The Committee considers that it is particularly important to build bridges of understanding and trust between the Israeli and Palestinian civil societies and to promote common goals of peace between the two peoples. 24. The Committee intends to continue to invite civil society organizations to all international meetings and conferences organized under its auspices. At these events, it will encourage them to discuss their own initiatives and campaigns and to exchange views and ideas on issues of mutual interest. The participation of Governments and intergovernmental and civil society organizations in such meetings and conferences should offer a unique opportunity to develop and strengthen initiatives, by all strata of the international community with a view to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian 06-22233 : /.\ NAC.183/2006/CRP.l conflict' In particular ancl wishing to promote the Israeli-palestinian dialogue, the committee looks forward to productive and mutuauy beneficial engagement by Israeli and Palestinian participants at events organizedunder its auspices. 25' The committee will maintain and further develop its liaison with national, regional and international coordinating mechanisms on the question of palestine, in addition to the established liaison wiltr a targe number of inclividual civil society organizations' It will continue to accredit new organizations. periodic meetings of consultations with civil society representatives will contribute to further enhancementof the committer', piog.umme of cooperation with civil society. 26' The committee is of the view that it is important to continue to exchange information with civil society on respective current and planned activities. The committee requests the Division to obtain information und report periodically on civil society initiatives, in order to enhance the interaction between civil society and the committee' It also requests the Division to continue to develop and regularly update its Internet website on civil society organization activities on the question of Palestine (www'un.org/depts /dpa/ngo) ; a" central tool for the exchange of information and communication between the United Nations and civil society. 27 ' rn 2006' the resourcesavailable for cooperation with civil society will be used for the following activities: (a) otganization, whenever appropriate and feasible, of meetings of civil society organizations in conjunction-with international meetings and conferences held under the auspicesof the Comrnittee; (b) Participation of representatives of the committee and the Division in important forums and other events worldwide organized by civil society organizations; (c) Periodic meetings of consultations with various civil society organizations with a view to briefing them on the activities of the committee and assessingtheir needs that can be metihrough the Division,s programme of work; (d) Providing assistance to Palestinian organizations in sending their held under the auspir., or the committee o^uipoi,r.r ,;tT:tS:*::,::.-'"ings Parliaments and inter-parriamentary organizations 28' The committee believes that- national parliaments and inter-parliamentary organizations play an important role in shaping public opinion and formulating policy guidelines and as it relates to upholding intr*utional legitimacy in support of a comprehensive,just and lasting settlement or tne question of palestine. It is of the view that the experience and poiitical weight of lu*-ukers and their organizations can be instrumental in consolidating the delocratic process and institution-building in the territory under the Palestinian Authoritr, tn strengthenirrg poritical dialogue between the partiel and in applying the p.in.iiirs -reaffirms of international law to efforts to resolve the conflict. The committee the continuing importance of developing closer cooperation with parliaments and representatives of interparliamentary bodies in order to encourage the discussion within the respective parliaments and among all strata of socie-ty of ways of supporting peace in the Middle East and resolving the question of Paiestine. To that end, the comrnittee will M-22233 A/AC.183/2006/CRP.l strive to involve parliamentarians and representatives of inter-parliamentary organizations in international conferences and meetings organized under its auspices. Consultations between the Committee and representativesof parliaments and inter-parliamentary organizations, notably the Inter-Parliamentary Union, should improve cooperation between the two sides. The Committee will also make an effort to involve rnernbersof the Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative Council in events organized under its auspices. D . United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine 29. The Committee requests the Division for Palestinian Rights to continue its work on the further development, expansion and administration of the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL) featured on the "Question of Palestine" website. The Division will make an effort to launch the site's porta[, designed under the guidance of the Bureau, and will continue to redesign the various web pages of the site. The Division will continue to make the UNISPAL collection of United Nations and related documents comprehensive, and up to date and its access modalities and displays user-friendlier. The Committee requeststhe Division to report periodically to the Bureau on the status of UNISPAL work accomplished and on progress achieved in the system's development. E . Publications programme programme 30. The Committeeconsidersthat the Division's publications contributes to heightening international awareness of the various aspects of the question of Palestine, involvement of the United Nations and the work of the Committee, its mandate and objectives. The Division should continue this important information and outreach activity, under the guidance of the Committee, and issue the following programmed publications in a timely manner: . Monthly bulletin on action by the United Nations system intergovernmental organizations relevant to the question of Palestine . Periodic review of, developments relating to the Middle East peace process . Monthly chronological review of events relating to the question of Palestine . Annual compilation of resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council relating to the question of Palestine . Reports of international meetings and conferences held under the auspices of the Committee . Annuatr bulletin on the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the PalestinianPeople . "NGO Action News", a birnonthly summary of information on civil society activities on the question of Palestine 31. The Committee believes that the Division, in consultation with the Bureau, should continue to review the existing publications and make proposals with regard to those that require updating. and 06-22233 -:g:g!gz / a \ -| A/AC.183/2006/CRP.r F. Other activities of the Division for Palestinian Rights Training programme for staff of the Palestinian Authority 32. The Committee considers that, in the light of its irnportance and usefulnessto the Palestinian Authority, the Division should continue the training programme in 20A6. The Committee is of the view that, in selecting candidates for this annual programme, special consideration should be given to achieving gender balance. Observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 33. In accordancewith General Assembly resolution 32140B of 2 December 1977, the International f)ay of Solidarity with the Palestinian People will be observed on Wednesday,29 Novernber 2006. It is envisaged that special meetings in observance of the Day will take place at United Nations Headquarters, at the United Nations Offices at Geneva and Vienna and elsewhere, in accordance with estabiished practice. During the week of 29 Novernber, a Palestinian exhibit or a cultural event will be organized at United Nations Headquartersin cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations. 34. The Committee will continue to review and assessits programme of work in the light of the situation on the ground and new developments in the political process,and will rnake adjustments as necessary. Notes t Ogi"iol Re<:orcls the General Assembly, Sixtieth Scssion, Supplement No".tS (A/60/35). o.f M-22233