Resolution 56/62
(December 10, 2001)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its relevant resolutions, including
those adopted at its tenth emergency special session, and the resolutions
of the Commission on Human Rights,
Bearing in mind the relevant resolutions of
the Security Council, the most recent of which are resolutions 904 (1994) of 18 March 1994, 1073 (1996) of 28 September 1996 and 1322 (2000) of 7 October 2000,
Having considered the reports of the Special
Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights
of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories 1 and the reports of the Secretary-General, 2
Taking note of the report of the Human Rights
Inquiry Commission established by the Commission on Human Rights 3and
the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, 4
Aware of the responsibility of the international
community to promote human rights and ensure respect for international
law,
Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility
of the acquisition of territory by force,
Reaffirming also the applicability of the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of
War, of 12 August 1949,5 to the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories
occupied by Israel since 1967,
Stressing the need for compliance with the Israeli-Palestinian
agreements reached within the context of the Middle East peace process,
as well as for the immediate and full implementation of the recommendations
of the Sharm El-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee (Mitchell report),
Noting that during the reporting period, the
third agreed-upon phase of redeployment of the Israeli army has not
been implemented, and that serious incursions into the areas under the
full control of the Palestinian Authority have occurred,
Concerned about the continuing violation of
the human rights of the Palestinian people by Israel, the occupying
Power, including the use of collective punishment, closure of areas,
annexation of land, establishment of settlements and the continuing
actions by it designed to change the legal status, geographical nature
and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
Jerusalem,
Deeply concerned by the tragic events that have
occurred since 28 September 2000 and that have led to numerous deaths
and injuries, mostly among Palestinians, the severe restrictions on
the movement of persons and goods, and the widespread destruction, including
of agricultural land,
Convinced of the positive impact of a temporary
international or foreign presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
for the safety and protection of the Palestinian people,
Convinced also of the need for third-party monitoring
to help the parties to implement the recommendations of the Sharm El-Sheikh
Fact-Finding Committee,
Expressing its appreciation to the countries
that participated in the Temporary International Presence in Hebron
for their positive contribution,
Convinced of the need for the full implementation
of Security Council resolutions 904 (1994), 1073 (1996) and 1322 (2000),
1. Determines that all measures and actions
taken by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including Jerusalem, in violation of the relevant provisions of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in
Time of War, of 12 August 1949,5 and contrary to the relevant resolutions
of the Security Council, are illegal and have no validity;
2. Demands that the measures and actions taken
in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 6 cease immediately, including the practice of extrajudicial
killings;
3. Condemns acts of violence, especially the
excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians,
resulting in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive
destruction;
4. Demands that Israel, the occupying Power,
cease all practices and actions which violate the human rights of the
Palestinian people;
5. Stresses the need to preserve the territorial
integrity of all the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to guarantee
the freedom of movement of persons and goods within the Palestinian
territory, including the removal of restrictions on movement into and
from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside
world;
6. Calls for complete respect by Israel, the
occupying Power, of all fundamental freedoms of the Palestinian people;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to report
to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session on the implementation
of the present resolution.
82nd plenary meeting
10 December 2001
Notes:
1. See A/56/428 and Add.1 and A/56/491.
2. A/56/214–219.
3. E/CN.4/2001/121.
4. E/CN.4/2001/30.
5. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
6. Ibid.
Sources: The United Nations |