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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 107/2004
Date: 11 July 2004
PCHR Welcomes International Court of Justice Ruling on the Annexation Wall
PCHR welcomes the International Court of Justice ruling in the Hague considering the annexation wall being constructed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately act in consistency with the ruling and take concrete steps to “ensure compliance” for international humanitarian law and to force Israel and its occupying forces to comply with it by ending the construction of the wall and tearing down the sections of the wall already constructed inside the West Bank territory, including Jerusalem.
The International Court of Justice issued, on 9 July 2004, its advisory opinion regarding the legal consequences of the wall, in response to a request by a UN General Assembly resolution on 8 December 2004. The Court ruled the wall being constructed by Israel in the OPTs, including Jerusalem, violates international law. The court also decided that Israel is obliged to stop its violations of international law, stop the construction of the wall, tear down the sections already constructed, abolish all relevant legislations and orders and compensate Palestinians harmed during the construction of the wall.
The Court stated that “all States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction.” It also added that the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 are additionally obliged to ensure Israel’s compliance to international humanitarian law, in accordance with the Convention. The court reinforced this point that the “United Nations and especially the General Assembly and the Security Council should consider what further action is required to bring an end to the illegal situation resulting from the wall and the associated regime.”
PCHR welcomes this ruling by the International Court of Justice and calls upon the international community to immediately act according to it. Consequently PCHR
Calls on the United Nations, especially the Security Council and General Assembly to take practical steps to confront Israel’s challenge to international law, as the Court specifically states that “Israel is to terminate its breaches of International Law.”
Request a meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal obligations through taking concrete steps to ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention.
Calls on the international community not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid and assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction.
Calls on the United States in particular to stop its material support for Israel, which contribute to maintaining the wall, and not to obstruct or disappoint and international efforts taken in accordance with the Court’s advisory opinion.
“END”
Public Document
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