The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council has just concluded having adopted 30 resolutions on human rights matters across the globe, including 3 on Palestine.
The adoption of the resolutions were preceded by informative and valuable debates, and were welcomed by the State of Palestine with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr Riad Al Malki urging all states to encourage compliance with international law up to and including imposing sanctions on Israeli colonialism.
The resolutions were as follows:
- In a resolution on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, adopted by a vote of 32 in favour, 6 against and 8 abstentions, the Council calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply immediately with its international law obligations to the protected occupied population, and ensure non-discriminatory access to vaccines for immunization against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, including in coordination with the Government of the State of Palestine.
- In a resolution on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, adopted by a vote of 42 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions, the Council calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to immediately end its occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and further reaffirms its support for the solution of two States, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security. The Council confirms that the right of the Palestinian people to permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources must be used in the interest of their national development, the well-being of the Palestinian people and as part of the realization of their right to self-determination.
- In a resolution on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, adopted by a vote of 36 in favour, 3 against and 8 abstentions, the Council calls upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to the occupied Syrian Golan, to abide scrupulously by the provisions of the Convention, in particular article 49 thereof, and to comply with all its obligations under international law and to cease immediately all actions causing the alteration of the character, status and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan. The Council decides to remain seized of the matter.
These resolutions are an affirmation of the rights of Palestinians which should be upheld by the international community. The support we receive as we move closer to our goal through a peacefully negotiated two-state solution along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as our capital is deeply appreciated.
