Ref: 48/2013

On Thursday,
20 June 2013, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) submitted a report
to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, and the UN
Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.

This
submission was made following a request for further information in response to
submissions made on 4 February 2012 – an individual complaint to the UN Special
Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights on behalf of Ramadan Abdel Bari
(51) – and on 15 October 2012 – an individual complaint to the UN Special
Rapporteur on the Right to Food on behalf of Youssef Abu Mghasib (40).

In this
follow-up report, PCHR wishes to provide the UN Special Rapporteurs with an
overview of the Israeli policies and practices severley affecting sources of
livelihood in the Gaza Strip. It addresses the situation facing farmers,
fishermen, factory workers, and their dependents. Besides presenting individual
cases this report outlines how the different industries, which are the main
sources of livelihood in Gaza, are affected by the unlawfully imposed travel
and import restrictions, the ban on exports, and military unwarranted attacks
carried out against civilians and their property. It is noted that these
violations under international law take place in the context of many of other
rights violations, including, but not limited to, an exclusion zone in the sea
and Israel’s  closure of the Gaza Strip.

The closure,
which constitutes a form of collective punishment of the civilians population,
and is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, can be
regarded as a form of economic warfare waged against the civilians in Gaza. The closure has led
to a protracted humanitarian crisis, which is partially compensated by
international humanitarian aid. While the closure and unlawful military attacks
continue, the Israeli legal system fails to hold accountable perpetrators of
these international law violations. The failure of the Israeli legal system is
outlined in the final chapter of this report.

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Report: Presented to the UN Special Rapporteur
on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right
to Food