International human rights conference gives Barak a chance to prove peace intention
Regional, Politics, 7/16/1999

The international conference on human rights violations in the Palestinian territories asserted in Geneva on Thursday that the fourth Geneva Convention for the protection of civilians is also applicable in the occupied Palestinian territories, including occupied Jerusalem.

AFP said a joint statement adopted unanimously by the 103 countries taking part in the conference asserted that postponing the conference has taken into account the atmosphere the Middle East but did not rule out reconvening this conference in case human rights are violated in the occupied Arab lands. But the statement did not mention Israel by name or criticize its policy in the occupied Arab lands.

Meanwhile, the Swiss presidency of the conference has praised reaching a settlement that does not condemn Israel and maintains the chances for peace and reiterating human rights.

For a very long period of time, the Palestinians have been asking to convene this conference following a decision adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1997 in order to convene a meeting on protecting civilians at times of war according to the Geneva Convention.

Previous Stories:
  Geneva conference for protecting Palestinian civilians in occupied lands meets today   (7/15/1999)
  US congress opposes Geneva conference   (7/14/1999)
  Egypt refuses US request to postpone Geneva conference   (7/13/1999)
  Israel intensifies efforts to prevent convening of Geneva conference   (7/12/1999)

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