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Press Release
Sourani meets with Mrs. Robinson
Ref: 12-2001
Date: April 1, 2001
Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights met with Mrs. Marry Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in her UN office. Mr. Sourani conveyed appreciation by Palestinian human rights organizations and civil society of her considerable efforts to demonstrate human rights violations perpetrated by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He also appraised her report after her visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to investigate facts on the ground by herself.
Furthermore, Mr. Sourani expressed his appreciation of the report submitted by the UN Inquiry Commission, asserting that it was fully satisfying for all Palestinian human rights organizations and civil society. Mr. Sourani asserted that the report was the first one of a UN inquiry commission that showed realities and facts based on field visits and interviews with eyewitnesses, victims, human rights and civil society organizations, and officials. Thus, it came comprehensive and thorough in expressing reality.
The report, in its conclusions and recommendation, was also precise, and to a far extent concordant with the Palestinian views. Mr. Sourani asserted that he does not need more than adoption of the report and its conclusions and recommendations by the UN High Commission on Human Rights.
Moreover, Mr. Sourani narrated recent developments that had taken place in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since Mr. Robinson’s visit, warning that the worst has yet to come. He emphasized the insistent and immediate need to provide international protection for the Palestinian people, and to hold a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention in order to force Israel to comply with the de jure application of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In addition, Mr. Sorani warned of a comprehensive explosion of the situation on the ground, asserting that its is irrational and unacceptable to ask the Palestinian people to be a new victim. He also emphasized that the main concern of the Palestinian people is to put an end to the long-lasted Israeli occupation, and that they have the right to resist the occupation. He also condemned the conspiracy of silence by Europe towards the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, and the unlimited US support to Israel and its aggressive policies. Mr. Sourani asserted that the US veto to providing international protection for the Palestinian people would be a green line for Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people. He also emphasized that Europe and USA politicalize the international law and the international humanitarian law and use them selectively.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Sourani expressed his repent for Mrs. Robinson’ decision to resign, asserting her commitment to international human rights instruments and standards and her objectivity. He also emphasized that her support to human rights issues added a fourth dimension that had been a source of pride for human rights activists, and that she was a symbol of the international human rights movement.
It is worth mentioning that Mr. Sourani participated in the 57th session of the UN High Commission on Human Rights, representing PCHR which has a consultative status in the UN. He participated in the discussions on Palestinian human rights. The 75th of the UN Commission on Human Rights is the most important and has come to be known as “Palestine Session.”
“End”
