Ref: 35/2006
Date: 11 July 2006
PCHR Calls upon the Swiss Government, High Contracting Parties of the 4th Geneva Convention, and High Commissioner for Human Rights to Stop Israeli Violations against Palestinian Civilians
PCHR send two memorandums to the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Government of Switzerland, the depository of the Convention, and a letter of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calling upon them to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s compliance with International Law and end the systematic violations against Palestinian civilians. The correspondence is part of the Center’s international efforts to confront the continued escalation of human rights violations and breaches of International Humanitarian Law by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
In the memorandum to the High Contracting Parties, PCHR requested that they fulfill their obligations under the convention, and provide protection to Palestinian civilians subjected to IOF war crimes, especially since the start of the recent IOF incursion into the Gaza Strip. While commending the statements of the Swiss President condemning Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, PCHR called upon the Government of Switzerland to work towards encouraging the High Contracting Parties to intervene and fulfill their obligations.
The Centre sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louisa Arbour, requesting her intervention and action to put an end to human rights violations against Palestinian civilians. The Centre asked the High Commissioner to issue a statement condemning the IOF serious violations against Palestinian civilians. In addition, the Centre called for the High Commissioner to visit the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and witness the severe and long term damages inflicted upon civilians. The Centre requested that the High Commissioner demand that the UN Security Council dispatch an international force to protect Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
