ID :
160635
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 14:34
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https://www.oananews.org//node/160635
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UN official: Human rights must not be cast aside amid ME politics
Tehran, Feb 13, IRNA – The United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay has recently warned against constant casting aside of the international human rights and humanitarian law amid Middle East politics.
According to a report issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) in Tehran Sunday, Pillay has criticized issues such as illegal settlement activity and the lack of accountability for rights violations in the occupied lands.
She made the remarks at a press conference in Beit ul-Moqaddas on Friday following her week-long visit to the occupied Palestinian territory, UNIC added.
“International human rights law and international humanitarian law are not negotiable. No individual or State can be considered exempt, if they violate the law,” Pillay said.
Noting that the settlement of Israeli citizens in the occupied Palestinian territory was “clearly prohibited” under international law, the High Commissioner said that Zionist leaders should stop all actions in support of the establishment and maintenance of settlements.
In particular, she said all settlement-related activities in East Beit ul-Moqaddas, as well as actions to coerce Palestinians to leave the area, including evictions, demolitions, forced displacements and the cancellation of residency permits on a discriminatory basis, should be halted.
She stressed that East Beit ul-Moqaddas was 'being steadily drained of its Palestinian inhabitants, in clear-cut defiance of Security Council resolutions.”
Noting that lack of accountability was another major concern in the region, Pillay warned against violating international human rights law which has not so far faced due prosecutions.
“This culture of impunity leads to more abuses against and between civilians, stimulates anger and resentment on all sides, and impedes the peace process,” she added.
Turning to Gaza, the UN official called for the lifting of the blockade imposed by the Zionist regime since June 2007 when Hamas took power in the area.
She called the policy “illegal.”
The UN official said that she has discussed a range of discrimination-related issues with the Zionist leaders, including the treatment of Palestinian citizens of the Zionist regime.
During her visit, Pillay met with both Palestinian and Zionist officials as well as victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders.
According to a report issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) in Tehran Sunday, Pillay has criticized issues such as illegal settlement activity and the lack of accountability for rights violations in the occupied lands.
She made the remarks at a press conference in Beit ul-Moqaddas on Friday following her week-long visit to the occupied Palestinian territory, UNIC added.
“International human rights law and international humanitarian law are not negotiable. No individual or State can be considered exempt, if they violate the law,” Pillay said.
Noting that the settlement of Israeli citizens in the occupied Palestinian territory was “clearly prohibited” under international law, the High Commissioner said that Zionist leaders should stop all actions in support of the establishment and maintenance of settlements.
In particular, she said all settlement-related activities in East Beit ul-Moqaddas, as well as actions to coerce Palestinians to leave the area, including evictions, demolitions, forced displacements and the cancellation of residency permits on a discriminatory basis, should be halted.
She stressed that East Beit ul-Moqaddas was 'being steadily drained of its Palestinian inhabitants, in clear-cut defiance of Security Council resolutions.”
Noting that lack of accountability was another major concern in the region, Pillay warned against violating international human rights law which has not so far faced due prosecutions.
“This culture of impunity leads to more abuses against and between civilians, stimulates anger and resentment on all sides, and impedes the peace process,” she added.
Turning to Gaza, the UN official called for the lifting of the blockade imposed by the Zionist regime since June 2007 when Hamas took power in the area.
She called the policy “illegal.”
The UN official said that she has discussed a range of discrimination-related issues with the Zionist leaders, including the treatment of Palestinian citizens of the Zionist regime.
During her visit, Pillay met with both Palestinian and Zionist officials as well as victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders.
