UN Human Rights Committee's new resolution on Golan

4/16/2005

"The committee expresses its worry over the Mideast peace process stalemate that started in Madrid hoping to resume it on the basis of the full implementation of the two UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 to maintain the just and comprehensive peace in the region," the UN Human Rights Committee's decision said.

32 voices advocated the decision and 19 abstained while the US and Australia objected to it.

The committee called upon Israel to "abide by the UN relevant decisions mainly the UN Security Council Decision 497 in 1981 that considers Israel's decision to impose its laws and authority over the Occupied Syrian Golan as null and void."

The committee also urged Israel to "halt imposing the Israeli identity over the Syrian citizens of Golan, and to set free all arrested Syrians there as well as to stop its oppressive practices against them," underlining the ought to allow all displaced Syrian citizens of Golan to return back to their homeland and restore their properties.

UN Human Right Committee accredited another decision regarding the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem and the Syria Golan.

The committee expressed "great apprehension regarding continuation of the Israeli settlement in the occupied lands which is considered a violation of the international law and an obstacle in front of realizing the just and comprehensive peace in the region," condemning latest decision by the Israeli government of building new settlements in the West Bank.

The human rights committee demanded Israel to "immediately stop its settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories and Syrian Golan," as a step towards dismantling its standing settlements and putting an end to their expansion.

It also stressed the importance of "boosting the peace process in the region" with the aim of reaching a comprehensive compromise in accordance with the UN 242 and 338 resolution and Madrid Conference principles.