Moussa, Robinson discuss human rights violations in Palestinian territories
Egypt, Politics, 11/15/2000

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa met on Tuesday with UN Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) Mary Robinson.

In a press conference with Robinson following the meeting, Moussa expressed his appreciation for the commissioner's visit to Cairo, praising the high status she occupies in the international organization.

Robinson's visit comes as part of a tour of the Middle as a part of her responsibility for monitoring and protecting human rights and freedom.

The Foreign Minister said he discussed with the UN official all issues related to the current human rights violations in the region. Robinson, he added, would declare the outcome of her tour of the region in a press conference after conferring with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

On her part, Robinson described the situation in the region as "dangerous", as was manifested during her visit to Hebron, Ramallah and Gaza where she met with a number of people to closely assess the situation.

On her assessment of the conditions in the occupied territories and the incident of her convoy coming under Israeli fire, the commissioner said the situation is very grave, and it is important to react to the urgent demands submitted to the commission.

She said her visit was much welcomed by residents of the occupied territories, adding that it was important to conclude her tour by a meeting with Yasser Arafat on Wednesday, after which she would declare the results of her tour and present her report to the UN General Assembly.

Asked about the possibility of providing the Palestinians with international protection or international observers, Robinson said the issue will be discussed during her meeting with Arafat.

On the executive aspect of the UN Human Rights Commission's resolution which Qatar promised to finance, Robinson said the UN Economic and Social Council will on Friday review the commission's report which contains three terms on the formation of a fact-finding panel, sending commissioners and other mechanisms related to the commission's work.

The commission will take a decision on whether to participate in the panel, the commissioner said.

On her influence inside the commission, with regard to putting resolutions into effect, the UN top official said that, in her capacity as the UN Human Rights Commissioner, she had to see to it that the resolutions be implemented.

This, she said, was the reason why she had headed for the occupied territories upon the commissionts request.

Voicing support for establishing a fact-finding committee, Robinson said, however, that she has no information as yet about how and when such a committee would be run.

The human rights commissioner, meanwhile, said the commission is preparing to send commissioners to the occupied territories as soon as the UN Economic and Social Council takes its decision, hopefully on Friday.

Aslced about whether he felt during his meeting Robinson that she was confusing politics with human rights, Moussa said he sensed the commissioners great interest in the human rights situation in the occupied territories and determination to do the job mandated to her in accordance with the commission's related resolution.

The Foreign Minister added that the political aspect of the Israeli occupation and the peace process would be discussed with the UN Secretary-General not with the UNHRC.

Asked about Robinson's attitude towards the uprising in the occupied territories, Moussa said he got a strong impression that the UNCHR was rejecting the violations committed there, adding that her report would reflect the dangerous situation in the Palestinian lands.

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