UN Human Rights Chief to visit Palestine

Report, UNHRC, 17 November 2006

The protection of civilians during armed conflict and the entitlement of Palestinians and Israelis equally to enjoy all fundamental freedoms will top the agenda as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour visits Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 19 to 24 November.

This first visit as High Commissioner will give Ms. Arbour an opportunity to examine developments on the ground first-hand and discuss the situation with people affected by the violence, authorities, civil society and non-governmental organizations and UN partners.

"My primary concern will be to emphasize the obligation to protect civilians during armed confrontation, and the entitlement of all, Palestinians and Israelis alike, to live free from fear, free from want, free from harm", the High Commissioner said.

Recalling that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has a presence in Gaza and the West Bank, Ms. Arbour said that during her visit she will explore ways of supporting existing activities and identify additional means to improve the protection of human rights in the area.

Related Links:

FACT-FINDING MISSION TO BEIT HANOUN

Address by Louise Arbour

Draft resolution on human rights violations emanating from Israeli military incursions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including the recent one in Northern Gaza and the assault on Beit Hanoun [Arabic / Chinese /English / French / Russian / Spanish]

Commentary:

The basic point for this is just another representive of something, is going to Palestine to look around do a little paper work just so they can go home to the bathroom and have U.N.
or some other office stamped letter head tissue to wipe their rear.

Because so far, in all the years this war has been going on this is as far as anyone has gotten.

Update:

Arbour: Israeli occupation threatens Palestinians' "right to life"

November 26, 2006

Occupied Jerusalem - Louise Arbour, the high commissioner for human rights, has affirmed that the Hebrew state was threatening the Palestinian people's right to sovereignty and to live in peace.

Arbour, who has the rank of Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, said at conclusion of a five-day visit to Palestine that the Beit Hanun massacre perpetrated by the IOF troops in lines of Palestinian civilians was only one case among many others.

She expressed conviction that the Palestinians right of living in peace was threatened, explaining that civilians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were the victims of confrontations. "I left Gaza with a sense that the right of its people to their physical integrity - their right to life - was particularly imperiled," Arbour said.

The UN official also expressed her shock at impact of IOF troops' policy of installing barriers and constructing the separation wall on the economic and family life of the Palestinians.

Palestinian civilians believe that the world community had forsaken them and was doing nothing to protect them, Arbour said, demanding a political solution to the Middle East crisis that would ensure establishment of an independent state for the Palestinians.

Link:

Poverty to be UN human rights focus