UN rights body condemns Israel for 'mass killings'
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/16/2002

The United Nations top human rights body condemned Israel on Monday for "mass killings" of Palestinians and demanded it to end its military offensive in the occupied territories.

The annual session of the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights approved a resolution from Arab and Muslim states that blasted Israel for "gross violations" of humanitarian law and affirmed the "legitimate right of Palestinian people to resist." The motion, backed by some European Union states including France, expressed grave concern at "the killing of men, women and children" in West Bank refugee camps, amongst them Jenin where Palestinians accuse Israeli troops of massacring Palestinian women and children as well as fighters.

But it made no mention of particular incidents when referring to "acts of mass killings perpetrated by the Israeli occupying authorities."

Israel says around 70 Palestinian militants were killed in the camp, which saw some of the fiercest fighting of its 17-day incursion into Palestinian controlled areas -- billed as a drive against suicide bombers.

But Israel's reluctance to let aid workers into Jenin and other camps has stirred suspicions and triggered protests from humanitarian groups.

The Jewish state has also not yet given the green light for a special mission of inquiry, which the Commission asked U.N.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson to lead, to visit the region.

The 53-state Commission passed the motion by 40 votes to five, with seven states abstaining and one member not present for the ballot which came as U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell pursued his bid to negotiate a ceasefire in the conflict.

Britain and Germany voted against, while Italy abstained.

Canada, Guatemala and the Czech Republic also voted no.

NOT BALANCED Explaining their decisions, the British, German and Italian delegations said that the text was not balanced and did not speak out clearly enough against "terrorist" acts such as suicide bombings by Palestinian militants against Israeli civilian targets.

"Germany remains deeply concerned at the extremely serious human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied territories," German ambassador Walter Lewalter said, adding that it backed calls for an immediate Israeli military withdrawal.

But he said Germany could not back the resolution because "the text contains formulations that might be interpreted as an endorsement of violence."

Diplomats had indicated on Friday that the motion would get significant European support after Arab and Muslim states softened some of the language, removing references to Israel committing acts of "state terrorism" and to the Palestinians' right to use "any means" to fight military occupation.

"It is just window dressing," said Israel's ambassador Yaakov Levy. "Not only does it not condemn it (suicide bombings), it gives them a license to continue this policy of terrorism. That's why it is so wrong."

Israel, which has been denied the support of the United States in the forum after Washington lost its seat on the Commission last year, is routinely criticised at the annual Commission sessions for its treatment of Palestinians.

But last year, EU states all abstained when the Commission voted to accuse Israel of using "disproportionate" force in the occupied territories and deplored its carrying out of "extra-judicial" killings of militant Palestinians.

At least 1,272 Palestinians and 452 Israelis have been killed since a Palestinian revolt against Israeli occupation began in September 2000 after peace talks stalled.

Previous Stories:
  Annan calls for middle east force   (4/15/2002)
  Amnesty international, human right groups slam Israeli practices   (4/15/2002)
  Israel: imprisonment or expulsion for persons besieged in Nativity church   (4/15/2002)
  UNESCO condemns Israeli aggression on holy sites   (4/13/2002)
  European leader: Israel is a terrorist state   (4/13/2002)
  UN aid workers still unable to reach Jenin camp, despite Israeli assurances   (4/12/2002)
  US continues to block effective use of international law to expell Israel from Palestinian areas   (4/12/2002)

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