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EU statement at UN Human Rights
Council on the situation in Gaza
Human Rights Council - 3rd Special Session
EU Statement on 15 November, 2006, by Ambassador Vesa
Himanen on Israeli military incursions in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories, including the recent one in
Northern Gaza and the assault on Beit Hanoun
Mr. President,
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union.
The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the
Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the
Stabilisation and Association Process and potential
candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,
Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein
and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as
well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align
themselves with this declaration.
Let me make clear from the outset that the European
Union is deeply concerned about the escalating violence
in the Middle East. The EU continues also to be deeply
concerned about the human rights and the humanitarian
situation in the Palestinian territories.
The EU strongly deplores the Israeli military action in
Gaza resulting in a growing number of civilian
casualties, including women and children, and deplores
the unacceptable military operation in Beit Hanoun on 8
November 2006. We are shocked by the large number of
civilian deaths and injuries caused by the shelling of
Beit Hanoun. We deeply regret the growing number of
civilian casualties, many of them children, as well as
the destruction of houses and other civilian
infrastructure.
While recognising Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence,
the EU urges Israel to exercise utmost restraint and
underline that action should not be disproportionate or
in contradiction to international humanitarian law. We
call on Israel to cease its military operations that
endanger the Palestinian civilian population in the
Palestinian Territory. It is imperative that the
humanitarian conditions of the Palestinian people be
urgently alleviated.
The EU also strongly deplores the firing of rockets on
Israeli territory. We call on the Palestinian leadership
to bring an end to such acts. The deterioration of the
situation will only aggravate the already grave
circumstances in the region where a return to a
comprehensive peace process with a clear political
perspective is urgently needed. To achieve this, an
immediate cessation of violence is needed. The EU
reiterates its call for the immediate release of the
abducted Israeli soldier. In addition we repeat our call
for immediate release of Palestinian ministers and
legislators detained in Israel. The EU reiterates its
intention to actively contribute to the work to get the
Middle East Peace Process urgently back on track within
the Quartet. The aim of the EU contribution is to make
progress towards a comprehensive settlement on the basis
of the Roadmap, relevant UNSC resolutions and the
commitments made at Sharm el-Sheikh in 2005. This should
be done in close cooperation with Arab partners.
The EU emphasises the importance of the implementation
of the Agreement of Movement and Access of November
2005. We call on Israel to respect previous agreements
and to fulfil its obligations under them. Regular
operations at Gaza crossings, notably Rafah are of
particular importance in this respect. We call on Israel
to do its utmost to ensure that the crossings be opened
and remain open.
I would also like to remind us that according to our
constituent resolution the Council shall be guided by
the principles of universality, impartiality,
objectivity and non-selectivity. The EU is willing to
cooperate with all Council members in order to
adequately address all Human rights situations of
concern with a consultative and constructive approach
with an aim to arrive at a consensus when possible.
Finally I would like to reiterate the EU's commitment to
help the Palestinian people. Our combined assistance in
2006 exceeds 650 million euros. We also call on Israel
for the immediate resumption of transfers of withheld
Palestinian tax and customs revenues. The commanding
concern in the EU's approach on the situation in the
Occupied Territories is that of peace. Without peace
there is no hope. This hope is created by the acts of
both parties and that is the reason the EU has
repeatedly reminded the parties concerned of their
obligations urging them to take action while expressing
the readiness to support them.
Thank You Mr. President |
