Morocco voices constant concern over tragedy of Palestinian people
Palestine-Morocco, Politics, 3/30/2001

The tragic situation of the Palestinian people, who are facing violations of their most basic rights, is a source of major concern for Morocco, said the Kingdom's representative at the United Nations in Geneva, Nacer Benjelloun Touimi.

Talking at the 57th session of the human rights commission, the Moroccan diplomat urged for an end to land confiscation, demolition of Palestinian houses and construction of settlements. He added respect of human rights and international humanitarian law are requisites to a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Daily suffering, humiliations, provocations, violence facing the Palestinian people are all breaches to human rights that shock the international community, he went on recalling that the UN security council and the international fact-finding commission have denounced these unacceptable practices and disproportionate usage of force by Israel.

Touimi also cited a report by the UN human rights commissioner, Mary Robinson, who insisted, following a field visit, that the 4th Geneva convention is legally applicable to the occupied Palestinian territories, as confirmed by the UN general assembly and the human rights commission.

In total violation of the convention and of Oslo agreements provisions, Israeli authorities are persisting on their occupation and colonization policy, he further deplored before stressing that many international observers and non-governmental organizations have warned of the hazards entailed by the brutal and ruthless policy that seeks to obliterate the Arab and Islamic features of the occupied holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and other occupied Palestinian territories.

He further quoted a report by the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, Giorgio Giacomelli, who asserts that the Israeli forces have destroyed between September 2000 and February 2001 no less than 773 houses.

Touimi also criticized Israel's destruction of Palestinian farming land, as a practice that violates the 4th Geneva convention and the universal human rights declaration. Likewise, he went on, the closure of territories are an additional factor of the Palestinians' social and economic exclusion.

For all these reasons, Touimi said the Palestinians need an international observer mission to see to the respect of their rights, especially that the peace process is going through a critical situation and that all efforts to revive it will be fruitless unless the Palestinian people inalienable rights are fully recognized.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco calls international community to protect palestinians   (3/20/2001)
  Palestinian president in Rabat to consult with King Mohammed prior to Arab summit   (3/16/2001)
  Morocco - Palestine ties, Strategic, Shaat   (2/15/2001)

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