21 May 2001
The UN Committee on
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Condemns Israel’s Violations of
International Human Rights Law
Today,
in response to the conclusion of its 25th session, the UN Committee on
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (‘UN CESCR’) issued two letters
condemning Israel’s violations of international human rights law.
In one
letter, addressed to the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN Office, the UN
CESCR chairperson states that: “The Committee is particularly concerned about
the lack of protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT [Occupied
Palestinian Territories] and the renewed maltreatment of Palestinian Arab
citizens of Israel.” The letter also expresses grave concern over “Discrimination
in law enforcement practices, including the disproportionate use of force and
procedures against Palestinians in the occupied territories and Palestinian
citizens of Israel.” This letter is the first UN document since the beginning
of the Al-Aqsa Intifada to directly address violations against Palestinian
citizens of Israel—in particular the events of October 2000 in which 13
Palestinian citizens of Israel were killed and hundreds more injured.
UN
CESCR also sent a letter to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
informing ECOSOC of its findings and underscoring the need for protective
measures for the population of the OPT. This letter refers to materials
submitted to the UN CESCR’s 25th session by Adalah and many other NGO sources.
Adalah
welcomes the UN CESCR’s remarks regarding Israel’s violations of economic,
social and cultural rights, and calls upon Israel to respect the international
norms addressed in the UN CESCR’s letters.
Related:
--Adalah’s Response to Israel’s
Submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights-2 May
2001 view
--Adalah’s Statement to UN CESCR-23 April
2001 view
--Joint NGO Statement to UN CESCR-23
April 2001 view
--Letter addressed to the Permanent
Mission of Israel to the UN Office-11 May 2001 view
--Letter to the UN Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC)-11 May 2001 view