UAE voices grave concerns over Israeli violations of human rights in oPT

GENEVA, 25th March, 2015 (WAM) -- The UAE has voiced grave concerns over the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPT) due to the Israeli occupation forces' continuous and systematic violations of human rights of the Palestinian people as confirmed by reports released by the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and non-governmental organisations. In the UAE's statement before the 28th regular session (2-27 March 2015) of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and other Occupied Arab Territories, Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva, said that the Israeli occupation continues to defy and provoke the international community and legitimacy and resorts to the use of excessive and indiscriminate force against Palestinians. He stressed that the UAE condemns all policies that violate international law, undermine the two-state solution and establish the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine through altering the demographics of the territories under its control and the geographical reality to impose Judaisation of the state. He added that the UAE also strongly condemns the Israeli occupation's suppressive policies, expansion of settlements, continuous imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians including women and children as well as collective punishment of innocent civilians. The UAE Permanent Representative also noted that Israel is doing all this in blatant violation of all international charters and the resolutions of the UN organisations while the international community keeps silent. He renewed the UAE's support for the current international peace efforts including the Arab League's proposal of a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation. The proposal announced on 15 March by the Arab League will be submitted to the Security Council which is responsible for international peace and security. The proposed resolution affirms that comprehensive peace could only be achieved if Israel withdraws from all occupied Arab territory and calls for a timeframe for ending Israel's occupation of the State of Palestine, and setting up a mechanism to monitor and guarantee full compliance so that just and comprehensive peace in the region can be achieved, the UAE representative explained. He also reiterated the UAE's solidarity with the State of Palestine and welcomed its joining a number international protocols and conventions. He also urged Palestine to continue its efforts to join the UN organisations until it attains full UN membership as the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395278397859.html