Statement delivered by
Mr Ahmed Nasir, First Secretary
on Israeli Practices Affecting Human Rights of Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territory
13 November 2018
Thank you, Mr Chair,
My Delegation recognises and appreciates the important work of the Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices affecting the human rights of Palestinian people and wishes to express its gratitude to the members of the Committee.
Mr Chair,
It has been more than seven decades since the people of Palestine have been subjected to discrimination, torture, and death, as a result of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and Arab lands. The policies of apartheid, blockade, and the denial of basic human rights need to be reversed as a starting point for a two-State solution, where both Palestine and Israel could live side by side in peace and harmony, respecting and protecting the human rights of each other.
The Report of the Secretary General outlines the continued violation of human rights and the disregard for international law in the Palestinian territories, including the East Jerusalem. The violations include, but not limited to, the demolition of homes and the forced eviction of Palestinian families; punitive arrests, unfair trials, torture of detainees and the use of excessive or lethal force against nonviolent demonstrations.
The Maldives condemns these actions and policies of Israel, and call on Israel to return to the right side of international law. The strategy for acquiring peace should always be by peaceful means, not violence. The closure of Gaza and imposing restrictions that limit supply of electricity and water, restricting access to medical care, educational and economic opportunities will not create peace; instead such policies will perpetuate poverty, leaving approximately three quarters of Gaza people to rely on humanitarian assistance.
We, the international community, have a special responsibility to ensure that the decisions we make, the Resolutions we pass, are implemented in full and in good faith. We have to identify the obstacles that stand in the way of implementing such Resolutions, and take actions to overcome such obstacles, through bilateral as well as multilateral means.
There is therefore an urgent need for creating an environment of respect for the human rights of Palestinian people, a situation where there are no incitements or provocations, and where the fundamental freedom of people are not suppressed by fear and oppression. The Maldives therefore, reiterates its strong and steadfast support for the rights of the Palestinian people, and for their right to self-determination. The Maldives reiterate its call for a two-State solution on the basis of 1967 borders, and with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
The Maldives reiterates its unwavering support to Palestine in seeking the international community’s political recognition it deserves, and we fully support Palestine in its efforts to become a full Member of the United Nations.
I thank you.
