Ref: 57/2006

Date:  16 November 2006    

Sourani Talks about IOF Crimes in Beit Hanoun in the Meeting of the UN Human Rights Council

Yesterday, Raji Sourani participated in the meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in his capacity as the Director of PCHR and Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the FIDH.

In the meeting, Sourani talked about the crimes perpetrated by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) during the most recent incursion into the town of Beit Hanoun. Sourani condemned the reaction of the international community regarding the death of 19 Palestinian and the injury of 40 others in one day, as well as the reaction to the IOF destruction of civilian property in the town.

Sourani stressed that since the end of last June the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) has been subject to a continuous wave of human rights violations and war crimes unprecedented over the past 39 years. The humanitarian conditions of Palestinians have deteriorated to unprecedented levels due to Israeli war crimes including incursions, executions, bombardment, closure, and economic siege.

It is noted that this is the third meeting of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss the human rights situation in the OPT since the council’s establishment. In the meeting, Sourani stressed that International Humanitarian Law was established to save civilians under occupation. He stressed that the law is not for international academics to discuss, but for civilian victims facing the crimes of an occupation.

Sourani drew a comparison between Israel, which requested international protection after a 34-day war in Lebanon, and Palestinians who have been suffering for years but are not given international protection. He stressed the importance of proving international protections to Palestinians to put an end to their suffering under a merciless occupation.

Sourani also stressed the disappointing role of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in this crisis. He warned that the continued silence over crimes against Palestinians can only be viewed as supporting the rule of the jungle over the rule of law.

It is noted that Sourani’s participation in the UN Human Rights Council meeting is part of his ongoing European tour to prepare for PCHR’s upcoming conference on 13-15 December 2006 in Geneva to advocate for providing international protection for Palestinians. During this tour, Sourani and the Secretary-General of the FIDH met the political advisor of President Jacques Chirac, and the Director of the Middle East Department in the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs. And in Switzerland, Sourani met a number of parliamentarians, human rights activists, and UNRWA representatives. Throughout his tour, Sourani stressed that establishing a commission of inquiry into the Beit Hanoun massacre is a welcomed step, but one that is well below the Palestinian demand of providing international protection.