\n
Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n\n
Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n\n
of the Occupied Territories<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n\n| \n CONTENTS<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n Paragraphs<\/u><\/p>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n I. INTRODUCTION .<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 1-8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n II. ORGANIZATION OF WORK <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 9-12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n III. MANDATE<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 23-27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n IV. INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE BEFORE THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 28-324<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n A. Oral evidence received by the Special Committee<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 36-46<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 1. Fundamental freedoms <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 32-35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (a) Right to freedom of education <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 32<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (b) Right to freedom of expression <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 33-34<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (c) Right to work and to freedom of association <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 2. Treatment of civilians<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 36-38<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 3. Annexation and settlement<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 39-40<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 4.Treatment of detainees <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 41-46<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n B.Information on the policy followed by the Government of Israel in the occupied Territories<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | <\/p>\n 47-59<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 1. Information on general policy <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 47-52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 2.Information on policy regarding the civilian population<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 53-59<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n C.Information on the situation in the occupied territories<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 60-243<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 1.Information on treatment of civilians in general<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 60-130<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (a) Incident<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 84-85<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (b) Collective punishment, including demolition of houses <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 86-116<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (c) Reprisals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 117-127<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (d)Expulsion and deportation <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 128-130<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 2.Activities of Israeli settlers affecting the civilian population of the occupied territories<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | <\/p>\n 131-176<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (a) The Karp report<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 149-154<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (b) Jewish underground groups <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 155-176<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 3.Information on measures affecting certain rights<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 177-243<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (a) Right to freedom of movement<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 177-204<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (b) Right to freedom of education <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 205-223<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n (c) Right to freedom of expression<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 224-243<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n D.Information on measures of annexation and settlement<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 244-283<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 1. Establishment of settlements<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 244-271<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n 2. Expropriation of property<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 272-283<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n E. Information on treatment of detainees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 284-307<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n F.Information on judicial remedies sought by the civilian population<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | <\/p>\n 308-324<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n V. CONCLUSIONS<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 325-339<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| \n VI. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT <\/p>\n<\/td>\n | \n 340<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n \n ANNEXES<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n I.\t<\/span>ARTICLES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION RELATIVE TO THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN PERSONS IN TIME OF WAR, OF 12 AUGUST 1949, REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH 338 <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n II.\t<\/span>STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC <\/strong>TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON 3 JÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµE 1984 <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n III.\t<\/span>THE REPORT OF THE KARP COMMISSION <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n IV.\t<\/span>STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTER FOR OCCUPIED TERRITORIES AFFAIRS OF JORDAN TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON 28 MAY 1984 – LIST OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CLOSED DOWN BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1983 AND FEBRUARY 1984 <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n V.\t<\/span>MAP SHOWING ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ESTABLISHED, PLANNED OR Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE TERRITORIES OCCUPIED SINCE <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n VI.\t<\/span>STUDY ON THE SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, WEST BANK, AND THE GAZA STRIP: DR. WALID MUSTAPHA AND MR. ABDUL JAWAD SALEH – LIST OF SETTLEMENTS ESTABLISHED FROM 1967 TO 1983 AND PROJECTED SETTLEMENTS IN THE WEST BANK AND THE GAZA STRIP <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 14 September 1984<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n Sir,<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories has the honour to transmit to you herewith its sixteenth report, prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolutions concerning the Special Committee and, in particular, resolution 2443 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968, by which the Special Committee was established, and resolution 38\/79 D of 15 December 1983, the latest resolution by which the General Assembly renewed its mandate.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n This report covers the period from 19 August 1983, the date of the adoption of the preceding report, to 31 August 1984. The report is based on information received by the Special Committee through oral testimonies of persons having first-hand experience of the human rights situation in the occupied territories. For this purpose the Special Committee organized hearings once again in the immediate area; hearings were held in Amman and Damascus and hearings scheduled to take place in Egypt, which had to be postponed, are to take place at a mutually convenient time. The Special Committee continued to monitor statements by members of the Government of Israel reflecting the policy of that Government in the occupied territories and reports on measures taken to implement that policy. The Special Committee noted the letters addressed to you and to the President of the Security Council during the period of this report relating to the mandate of the Special Committee, circulated as documents of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Special Committee received information from organizations on various aspects of the situation in the occupied territories.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>The Government of Israel has not changed its position with regard to the Special Committee in spite of the efforts made in that direction. On the other hand, the Special Committee benefited from the co-operation of the Governments of Egypt, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic in the carrying out of its mandate.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n In preparing its report the Special Committee has attempted to put before you the complete picture of the reality in the occupied territories as it affects the human rights of the civilian population. The information contained in this report reflects the continuation of the policy of annexation and settlement which the Government of Israel has followed with increasing vigour in the territories occupied in June 1967. Settlements that were established in earlier years have been enlarged and consolidated, new settlements have been established and plans for further settlements have been announced extending into the next century. The number of Israeli settlers continues to increase and the consequences of the implantation of these settlers have manifested themselves in the violence that has characterized the period covered by this report. The discovery of a number of highly organized groups of Israeli settlers aimed at the consolidation of the Israeli presence in the occupied territories through the sowing of terror among the civilian population characterizes the period covered by this report. The day-to-day life of the civilians is thus rendered more and more difficult; in addition, the military occupation authorities continue to apply a variety of measures which affect virtually all aspects of life, such as freedom of expression, freedom of movement and academic freedom. The Special Committee continues to be deeply concerned about the further deterioration in the level of respect for the human rights of the civilian population.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n The situation in the Golan Heights has also deteriorated further as the occupation authorities adopt measures aimed at the perpetuation of Israeli sovereignty over those territories. The Special Committee is deeply concerned at the harmful effects that such policies and measures will have on the human rights situation of the civilian population of the area and, consequently, on peace and security in the region.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n The plight of the civilian population is further manifested in the way in which the thousands of detainees, imprisoned for political or security offences, are held. Their number continues to increase, and the Special Committee continues to receive reports of hardship in greater numbers.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n In the circumstances, the Special Committee is concerned that the international community has thus far been unable to adopt effective measures to improve the human rights situation of the civilian population. The Special Committee cannot but reiterate its hope that this report may serve as the base upon which the international community can assess the plight of the civilian population and the urgent need to improve their condition. Without meaningful and effective action in this respect the international community is allowing itself to get nearer to a situation in the region which it will find eventually very difficult to resolve.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n The Special Committee in carrying out its mandate noted several reports concerning the human rights situation in southern Lebanon and, in particular, the conditions in Ansar prison camp. Because of the constraints of its mandate, the Special Committee has not addressed itself to this problem in this report, but it cannot, for humane considerations alone, let this occasion pass without drawing through you, the attention of the General Assembly to the seriousness of the human rights situation in that area.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>Please accept, Sir, on behalf of my colleagues and on my own behalf, the assurances of our highest consideration.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \n\n| <\/td>\n | \n (Signed<\/u>)N. WIJEWARDANE<\/p>\n Chairman of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories<\/p>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| \n His Excellency<\/p>\n Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar<\/p>\n Secretary-General of the United Nations, <\/p>\n New York<\/p>\n<\/td>\n | <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n \n 1.\t<\/span>INTRODUCTION<\/p><\/div>\n\n 1.\t<\/span>The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories was established by the General Assembly in resolution 2443 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968. By that resolution, the Assembly decided to establish the Special Committee, composed of three Member States; requested the President of the Assembly to appoint the members of the Special Committee; requested the Government of Israel to receive the Special Committee, to co-operate with it and to facilitate its work; requested the Special Committee to report to the Secretary-General as soon as possible and whenever the need arose thereafter; and requested the Secretary-General to provide the Special Committee with all the necessary facilities for the performance of its task.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 2.\t<\/span>The following Member States were appointed on 12 September 1969 to serve on the Special Committee: Somalia, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia. The Government of Sri Lanka appointed Mr. H. S. Amerasinghe, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as its representative on the Special Committee. The Government of Yugoslavia appointed Mr. Borut Bohte, Professor of the Faculty of Law of Ljubljana University and Member of the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia, as its representative on the Special Committee. The Government of Somalia appointed Mr. A. A. Farah, and subsequently Mr. H. Nur-Elmi, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as its representative on the Special Committee. On 26 April 1974, the President of the General Assembly, at its twenty-eighth session, informed the Secretary-General that Somalia had decided to withdraw from the Special Committee and that, in conformity with paragraph 2 of the General Assembly resolution 2443 (XXIII), he had appointed Senegal a member of the Special Committee. On 30 April 1974, the Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations informed the Secretary-General that his Government had appointed Mr. Keba Mbaye, Chief Justice of Senegal (Premier President de la Cour supreme du Senegal<\/u>), as its representative on the Special Committee. On 21 September 1976, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations informed the Secretary-General that Mr. H. S. Amerasinghe had resigned from the Special Committee upon his election as President of the General Assembly at its thirty-first session. On 18 February 1977, the Government of Sri Lanka informed the Secretary-General that Mr. V. L. B. Mendis, Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, would serve on the Special-Committee at the meetings at Geneva from 22 February to 1 March 1977.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 3.\t<\/span>On 26 April 1977, the Government of Sri Lanka informed the Secretary-General that it had appointed Mr. I. B. Fonseka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, as its representative on the Special Committee. On 8 July 1977, the Government of Senegal informed the Special Committee that Mr. Keba Mbaye had resigned from the Special Committee and nominated in his stead Mr. Ousmane Goundiam, Procureur general pres la Cour supreme<\/u>, as its representative on the Special Committee. On 20 July 1978, the Government of Sri Lanka informed the Secretary-General that it had appointed Mr. B. J. Fernando, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, as its representative on the Special Committee. By a note verbal dated 11 September 1979, the Government of Sri Lanka designated Mr. D. R. Perera to attend the meetings of the Special Committee from 10 to 21 September 1979.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 4.\t<\/span>By a note verbal dated 23 April 1980, the Government of Sri Lanka designated Mr. Nadarajah Balasubramanian, Ambassador and Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, to represent Sri Lanka at the meetings of the Special Committee from 19 to 30 May 1980. Mr. Balasubramanian was named representative of Sri Lanka on the Special Committee by a note verbal dated 14 July 1980. At the meetings held from 21 to 25 July 1980, Sri Lanka was represented by Mr. K. K. Breckenridge, who had been designated by a note verbal dated 18 July 1980.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 5.\t<\/span>By a letter dated 16 January 1981, the Government of Yugoslavia notified the Secretariat that it had designated Mr. Becir Meholjic, Chairman of the City Commission for Foreign Affairs in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), as representative of Yugoslavia on the Special Committee. By a note verbal dated 10 April 1981, the Government of Sri Lanka notified the Secretary-General that it had designated Mr. I. B. Fonseka, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, to represent Sri Lanka on the Special Committee at its meetings from 21 April to 1 May 1981. By a note verbal dated 12 June 1981, the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka notified the Secretary-General of the nomination of Mr. Fonseka as Sri Lanka representative on the Special Committee. By a note verbal dated 31 August 1981, the Government of Senegal notified the Secretariat that it had designated Mr. Alioune Sene, Ambassador of Senegal in Bern and Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations Office at Geneva, as representative of Senegal on the Special Committee.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 6.\t<\/span>By a note verbal dated 4 April 1984 the Government of Sri Lanka notified the Secretariat that it had designated Mr. Nissanka Wijewardane, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations to replace Mr. I. B. Fonseka on the Special Committee. By a letter dated 4 April 1984, the Government of Yugoslavia informed the Secretariat of the demise of Mr. Becir Meholjic. By its letter of 15 May 1984 the Government designated Mr. Dragan Jovanic, Professor of Law, President of the Management Board, Faculty of Law, University of Rijeka, to replace Mr. Meholjic on the Special Committee.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 7.\t<\/span>Since October 1970, the Special Committee has submitted 15 reports. 1<\/u>\/ These reports were discussed in the Special Political Committee, which then reported to the General Assembly. 2<\/u>\/ On the recommendation of the Special Political Committee, the Assembly adopted resolutions 2727 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 2851 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971, 3005 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972, 3092 A and B (XXVIII) of 7 December 1973, 3240 A to C (XXIX) of 29 November 1974, 3525 A to D (XXX) of 15 December 1975, 31\/106 A to D of 16 December 1976, 32\/91 A to C of 13 December 1977, 33\/113 A to C of 18 December 1978, 34\/90 A to C of 12 December 1979, 35\/122 A to F of 11 December 1980, 36\/147 A to G of 16 December 1981, 37\/88 A to G of 10 December 1982 and 38\/79 A to H of 15 December 1983.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 8.\t<\/span>The present report has been prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 2443 (XXIII), 2546 (XXIV), 2727 (XXV), 2851 (XXVI), 3005 (XXVII), 3092 B (XXVIII), 3240 A and C (XXIX), 3525 A and C (XXX), 31\/106 C and D, 32\/91 B and C, 33\/113 C, 34\/90 A to C, 35\/122 C, 36\/147 C, 37\/88 C and 38\/79 D.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n II. \t<\/span>ORGANIZATION OF WORK<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 9.\t<\/span>The Special Committee continued its work under the rules of procedure contained in its first report to the Secretary-General. 3<\/u>\/ Mr. I. B. Fonseka (Sri Lanka) continued as Chairman at its first series of meetings. At its second series of meetings from 25 May to 5 June 1984, the Special Committee unanimously elected as its Chairman Mr. N. Wijewardane, who had succeeded Mr. Fonseka as representative of Sri Lanka on the Special Committee.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 10.\t<\/span>The Special Committee held three series of meetings: its first series of meetings took place from 9 to 13 January 1984 at Geneva. At those meetings the Committee reviewed its mandate consequent upon the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 38\/79 D of 15 December 1983. By that resolution, the General Assembly<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"14. Requests<\/u> the Special Committee, pending the early termination of Israeli occupation, to continue to investigate Israeli policies and practices in the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, to consult, as appropriate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to ensure the safeguarding of the welfare and human rights of the population of the occupied territories and to report to the Secretary-General as soon as possible and whenever the need arises thereafter;".\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n It decided to continue its system of monitoring information on the occupied territories and, in reference to paragraph 15 of resolution 38\/79 D to pay special attention to information on treatment of civilians in detention. The Special Committee examined information on the situation in the occupied territories for the period commencing with the date of the adoption of its report to the General Assembly (A\/38\/409) on 19 August 1982. It examined a number of communications referred to it concerning individual cases of alleged human rights violations in the occupied territories. It decided upon the organization of its work for the year. The Special Committee agreed to address itself to the Government of Israel and to the Governments of Egypt, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic, with a view to seeking their co-operation in the implementation of its mandate. The Special Committee also agreed to address itself to the Palestine Liberation Organization and to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Finally, the Special Committee decided that at its next series of meetings it would undertake hearings in the area for the purpose of recording relevant information or evidence.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 11.\t<\/span>On 27 January 1984, the Special Committee addressed a letter to the Secretary- General seeking his intervention in an effort to secure the co-operation of the Government of Israel. The letter read as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"…\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee met at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 9-13 January 1984 to examine its mandate and to decide on its implementation. The Special Committee decided to approach the Governments concerned with a request for their co-operation and to receive from them any information available to enable the Special Committee to ascertain the human rights situation prevailing in the territories occupied by Israel in June 1967 and still under military occupation. The Special Committee has addressed itself directly to the Governments of Jordan and of <\/i>the Syrian Arab Republic which have in the past extended their co-operation to the Special Committee. The Special Committee is also addressing a letter to the Government of Egypt to follow up on the question of the status of certain Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip who were stranded on Egyptian territory following the tracing of the international boundary between Egypt and Israel, and who are the subject of an investigation by the Special Committee in response to a request to that effect from the Government of Egypt.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Government of Israel has unfortunately taken a negative position with regard to the Special Committee and has withheld its co-operation with the Special Committee since its establishment in 1968. The representative of Israel on the Special Political Committee at the thirty-eighth session reiterated this position. The Special Committee, as it has indicated in its reports to date, has noted that its efforts to secure the co-operation of the Government of Israel have remained without success. In spite of this negative position, which the Special Committee took fully into account in its January meetings, it was felt that the Special Committee should go on exercising its utmost efforts aimed at securing the co-operation of the Government of Israel whose conduct of the occupation is called into question.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee has requested me to seek your intervention once again in an effort to convince the Israeli authorities to co-operate with the Special Committee. The Special Committee will hold its next series of meetings at Geneva from 21 May to 5 June 1984. During that period, should the situation warrant, the Special Committee will conduct hearings possibly also in Amman and Damascus. During these meetings, the Special Committee will examine any follow-up that may have been given to its request for co-operation from the Governments concerned, including the request formulated in this letter."\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 12. \t<\/span>On 27 January 1984, the Special Committee addressed a letter to the Permanent Representative of Egypt which read as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t\t<\/span>"…<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee held a series of meetings from 9-13 January 1984 to consider its mandate and to examine information on the situation in the occupied territories. The Special Committee decided to continue to monitor the situation of human rights in the occupied territories and, to do so, by informing itself on a regular basis through the best sources available. The Special Committee has relied in the past on accounts by persons having first-hand knowledge and experience in the occupied territories on matters concerning human rights and reports appearing in the press and elsewhere in the occupied territories.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"At these meetings the Special Committee recalled the request formulated by your Government on 6 June 1983 in regard to the situation of a number of Palestinian refugees in Egypt; the Special Committee had investigated the matter and had accordingly reported to the General Assembly thereon (A\/38\/409).\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee will meet from 21 May to 5 June 1984 to review the situation of human rights of the civilian population of the occupied territories and, for this purpose, it will conduct hearings in the Middle East region. The Special Committee would appreciate receiving from your Excellency's Government any information relevant to its mandate that many assist it in its task, including up-to-date information on the situation of those Palestinians in Egypt who were the subject of its investigation in 1983."\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 13. \t<\/span>On the same day, the Special Committee addressed a letter to the Permanent Representative of Jordan which read as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"…\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee held a series of meetings from 9-13 January 1984 to consider its mandate and to examine information on the situation in the occupied territories. The Special Committee decided to continue to monitor the situation of human rights in the occupied territories and, to do so, by informing itself on a regular basis through the best sources available. The Special Committee has relied in the past on accounts by persons having first-hand knowledge and experience in the occupied territories on matters concerning human rights and reports appearing in the press and elsewhere in the occupied territories. In the course of its previous mandates the Special Committee has benefited from the co-operation of your Excellency's Government which made it possible to undertake hearings in Amman.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee has noted a number of reports that would indicate that information might be available in the territory of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Special Committee is planning to meet again from 21 May to 5 June 1984 to review the situation in the occupied territories and it would be prepared to undertake a visit to Amman for the purpose of recording information or evidence relevant to developments in the occupied territories.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"It would be most appreciated if your Excellency's Government were to indicate whether the Special Committee might benefit once again from its co-operation in connection with hearings that might be organized in Amman.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"In the meanwhile, the Special Committee would appreciate receiving any information available to your Excellency's Government that may assist it in the execution of its mandate."\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 14. \t<\/span>On the same day, the Special Committee addressed a letter to the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic which reads as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t\t<\/span>"…<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee held a series of meetings from 9-13 January 1984 to consider its mandate and to examine information on the situation in the occupied territories. The Special Committee decided to continue to monitor, the situation of human rights in the occupied territories and, to do so, by informing itself on a regular basis through the best sources available. The Special Committee has relied in the past on accounts by persons having first-hand knowledge and experience in the occupied territories on matters concerning human rights and reports appearing in the press and elsewhere in the occupied territories. In the course of its previous mandates the Special Committee has benefited from the co-operation of your Excellency's Government which made it possible to undertake hearings in Damascus.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"The Special Committee has noted a number of reports that would indicate that information might be available in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Special Committee is planning to meet again from 21 May to 5 June 1984 to review the situation in the occupied territories and it would be prepared to undertake a visit to Damascus for the purpose of recording information or evidence relevant to developments in the occupied territories.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"It would be most appreciated if your Excellency's Government were to indicate whether the Special Committee might benefit once again from its co-operation <\/strong>in connection with hearings that might be organized in Damascus.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"In the meanwhile, the Special Committee would appreciate receiving any information available to your Excellency's Government that may assist it in the execution of its mandate."\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 15.\t<\/span>Similar letters were addressed to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 16. \t<\/span>On 10 February 1984, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and General Assembly Affairs addressed the following letter to the Chairman of the Special Committee:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"On behalf of the Secretary-General, I wish to thank you for your letter of 27 January 1984 concerning the renewal of the mandate of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories and the description of its plans of work for 1984.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t"As requested in your letter, we have once again approached the Israeli authorities to seek their co-operation with the Special Committee. I regret to inform you that we have been advised by a representative of the Israeli Government that its 'well-known position' remains unchanged."\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 17. \t<\/span>The Governments of Egypt, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic subsequently responded to <\/strong>the Special Committee, reconfirming their readiness to continue co-operating <\/strong>with the Special Committee.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 18. \t<\/span>On 9 February 1984, the Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations at Geneva addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Special Committee confirming the co-operation of his Organization with the Special Committee and informing the Special Committee of the readiness of the Palestine Liberation Organization to facilitate hearings by the Special Committee.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 19. \t<\/span>The Special Committee held a series of meetings at Geneva, Amman and Damascus from 25 May to 5 June 1984. At these meetings the Special Committee examined information on developments occurring in the occupied territories between December 1983 and April 1984. It had before it a number of communications addressed to it by Governments, organizations and individuals in connection with its mandate. The Special Committee took note of several letters addressed to it by the Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization at Geneva and of a number of letters addressed to the Secretary-General by the Permanent Representatives of Israel, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic on matters related to its report. In Amman and Damascus the Special Committee heard testimonies of persons living in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights concerning the situation in those territories. The Special Committee decided to hold meetings at Cairo on dates to be determined after consultation with the Government of Egypt.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 20.\t<\/span>In Amman the Special Committee was received by the Minister of Occupied Territories Affairs, Mr. Shawkat Mahmoud. In Amman the Special Committee was also received by Mr. Taher Al-Masry, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Special Committee was presented with reports of the situation in the occupied territories, prepared by the respective ministries and it discussed various aspects of its mandate in the course of its meetings with the respective ministers.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 21.\t<\/span>In Damascus the Special Committee conducted consultations with Mr. Fathi Masry, Director-General of the International Organizations Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, who presented the Special Committee with an updated report on the situation of human rights in the occupied Syrian territory.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 22. \t<\/span>The Special Committee convened again from 10 to 14 September 1984. At those meetings it examined information on the situation in the occupied territories between May and August 1984. It had before it communications addressed to it by inhabitants of the occupied territories containing allegations of violations of human rights resulting from measures taken by the occupation authorities. The Special Committee had before it the records of testimony taken in the course of its previous series of meetings. The Special Committee considered and completed its report, contained in the present document, on 14 September 1984. It reflects the situation of human rights in the occupied territories during the period since the date of the adoption of its last report (A\/38\/409).<\/p><\/div>\n\n III. \t<\/span>MANDATE<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 23. \t<\/span>The General Assembly, in its resolution 2443 (XXIII) entitled "Respect for and implementation of human rights in occupied territories", decided to establish a Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories, composed of three Member States.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 24. \t<\/span>The mandate of the Special Committee, as set out in the above resolution and subsequent resolutions, was "to investigate Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the population of the occupied territories".<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 25.\t<\/span>In interpreting its mandate, the Special Committee determined that:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>(a)\t<\/span>The territories to be considered as occupied territories referred to the areas under Israeli occupation, namely, the Golan Heights, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Following the implementation of the Egyptian-Israeli Agreement on Disengagement of Forces of 18 January 1974 and the Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces of 31 May 1974, the demarcation of the areas under occupation was altered as indicated in the maps attached to those agreements. The areas of Egyptian territory under Israeli military occupation were further modified in accordance with the Treaty of Peace between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel which was signed on 26 March 1979 and which came into force on 25 April 1979. On 25 April 1982, the Egyptian territory remaining under Israeli military occupation was restituted to the Government of Egypt in accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned agreement. Thus, for the purposes of the present report, the territories to be considered as occupied territories are those remaining under Israeli occupation, namely, the Golan Heights, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (b)\t<\/span>The persons covered by resolution 2443 (XXIII) and therefore the subject of the investigation of the Special Committee were the civilian population residing in the areas occupied as a result of the hostilities of June 1967 and those persons normally resident in the areas that were under occupation but who had left those areas because of the hostilities. However, the Committee noted that resolution 2443 (XXIII) referred to the "population" without any qualification as to any segment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>(c)\t<\/span>The "human rights" of the population of the occupied territories consisted of two elements, namely, those rights which the Security Council referred to as "essential and inalienable human rights" in its resolution 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967 and, secondly, those rights which found their basis in the protection afforded by international law in particular circumstances such as military occupation and, in the case of prisoners of war, capture. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 3005 (XXVII), the Special Committee was also required to investigate allegations concerning the exploitation and the looting of the resources of the occupied territories; the pillaging of the archaeological and cultural heritage of the occupied territories; and interference in the freedom of worship in the Holy Places of the occupied territories;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (d)\t<\/span>The "policies" and "practices" affecting human rights that came within the scope of investigation by the Special Committee referred, in the case of the policies", to any course of action consciously adopted and pursued by the Government of Israel as part of its declared or undeclared intent; while "practices" referred to those actions which, irrespective of whether or not they were in implementation of a policy, reflected a pattern of behavior on the part of the Israeli authorities towards the Arab population in the occupied areas.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 26.\t<\/span>Since its inception the Special Committee has relied on the following international instruments in interpreting and carrying out its mandate:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (a)\t<\/span>The Charter of the United Nations;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (b)\t<\/span>The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (c)\t<\/span>The Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949; 4<\/u>\/<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (d)\t<\/span>The Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, of 12 August 1949; 5<\/u>\/<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (e)\t<\/span>The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event <\/strong>of Armed Conflict, of 14 May 1954; 6<\/u>\/<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (f)\t<\/span>The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land; 7<\/u>\/<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (g)\t<\/span>The International Covenant on Civil and political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 8<\/u>\/<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 27. \t<\/span>The Special Committee has also relied on those resolutions relevant to the situation of civilians in the occupied territories adopted by United Nations organs, the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights, as well as the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n IV. INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE BEFORE THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 28.\t<\/span>In the course of carrying out its mandate, the Special Committee has taken note of information reaching it through a variety of sources, such as individuals, organizations and Governments. At its meetings, the Committee had before it several communications addressed to it, directly or referred to it by the<\/p><\/div>\n\n Secretary-General, from sources inside the occupied territories, as well as from several parts of the world. Where necessary, the Committee has followed up information contained in these communications.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 29. \t<\/span>The Special Committee has taken particular care to rely on information that has not been contradicted by the Government of Israel or that is commonly considered as reliable by that Government.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n 30.\t<\/span>The Special Committee has relied on the following sources:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>(a)\t<\/span>The testimony of persons with first-hand knowledge of the situation of the population in the occupied territories;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (b)\t<\/span>Reports in the Israeli press of pronouncements by responsible persons in <\/strong>the Government of Israel;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n \t<\/span>(c)\t<\/span>Reports appearing in other news media, including the Arab language press published in the occupied territories in Israel and the international press;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n (d)\t<\/span>Reports submitted to it by Governments, non-governmental bodies and individuals on the situation in the occupied territories.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n The Special Committee received written statements from the Governments of Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic. An extract from the statement of the Government of Jordan is reproduced in annex IV and its contents are reflected elsewhere in the report; the statement from the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic is contained in annex II.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n 31. \t<\/span>The Special Committee undertook a series of hearings in Amman and Damascus during its meetings from 25 May to 5 June 1984. At these meetings, the Special Committee heard the testimony of persons themselves living in the occupied territories and having a first-hand knowledge of the human rights situation existing in those territories. <\/strong>These testimonies are contained in documents A\/AC.145\/RT.387 to 392 and are reflected in section A below; sections B to F reflect the other information received by the Special Committee. They are divided as follows:<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n A.\t<\/span>Oral evidence received by the Special Committee;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tB. \t<\/span>Information on the policy followed by the Government of Israel in the occupied territories;\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tC. | |