Question of Human Right Violations Occurring in the Gaza Strip

Posts : 13 Join date : 2010-02-11 Age : 31

Here the delegates can discuss their position on the Question of Human Right Violations Occurring in the Gaza Strip. I will also be posting any useful information or articles that I can find.

Subject: UNHCRCongo Position Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:44 pm

The protracted crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, which began with the onset of the Al Aqsa intifada in late-2000, has now raged for almost a decade. Israel’s policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in Palestine territories constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. During this period, living levels of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip have slumped, ravaged by a combination of Israeli-imposed restrictions on access and movement and persistent conflict, including episodes of intense violence towards the civilian population and repeated destruction of physical and religious assets. The past 12 months saw the most destructive assault in the recent history, which Israel prosecuted in Gaza between 27 December 2008 and 17 January 2009, resulted in the death of almost 1,400 Palestinians, including 347 women and 209 children, and more than 5,000 injuries. It also brought massive destruction of public and private property, infrastructure and productive capacity, prompting the expansion of an already extensive humanitarian relief effort. The blockade consequences on all aspects of life for the 1.4 million residents of Gaza, over two-thirds of whom are refugees registered with UNRWA. The ban on exports and extensive curbs on imports have all but destroyed the formal private sector, leading to dramatic increases in poverty and unemployment levels and enabling the growth of an illegal ‘tunnel economy’ beneath the border with Egypt. The blockade extends to the materials and equipment needed to rebuild homes and infrastructure destroyed during the war, stymieing all meaningful reconstruction and recovery efforts and leaving the population increasingly vulnerable and overwhelmingly dependent on aid handouts. The delegation of the DRC obviously expresses its succor to the Palestinian precarious situation not only in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank and trusts the Human Right Committee to upspring with effective solution to the hazardous situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

COUNTRY: State of Israel (Enrique Calvo, Jae Ho Han)
COMMITTEE: Human Rights
QUESTION OF: Human Right violations occurring in the Gaza Strip

The “Islamic Resistance Movement” (Hamas) strove to undermine any peace negotiations between the State of Israel and the more moderate Palestinian National Authority. Hamas had been using the Gaza Strip as a launching pad for its terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians with an ever increasing intensity and geographical range. For over 8 years, tens of thousands of civilians in Israeli towns and villages within rocket range of Gaza had been living under the terror of rocket fire, suffering casualties, destruction and emotional trauma. Hamas’ military build-up increased the urgency of determined Israeli action to stop the attacks and impair Hamas’ military ability.

After exhausting all other alternatives, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) launched the Gaza Operation on December 27, 2008. The military operation began with precision air strikes to minimize harm to civilians. But since Hamas refused to stop launching rockets against Israeli civilians, on January 3, 2009 the IDF commenced a ground action. On January 17, 2009, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1860, the IDF withdrew all of its ground forces from the Gaza Strip.

Violations of the Law of Armed Conflict, and certainly ‘war crimes’, do not apply to military operations that cause unintended and undesired harm to civilians. The IDF made extensive efforts to verify and confirm that their targets were indeed military objectives. Yet, the Hamas’ extensive use of civilians and civilian facilities as human shields made it impossible to completely avoid unintentional harm.

Israel is committed to full compliance with the Law of Armed Conflict, and to investigating every allegation of violations. Israel’s investigative system includes a range of checks and balances and multiple layers of review to ensure impartiality and independence. Its commitment and ability to investigate and prosecute violations of international law has been confirmed by outside observers and foreign legal systems. Israel recognizes the importance of a conducting the investigation process in a timely manner. At the same time, it remains committed to ensuring that all legal processes are conducted thoroughly and with full due process.

To date, the IDF has launched investigations into 150 separate incidents arising from the Gaza Operation. Of the 150 incidents, so far 36 have been referred for criminal investigation. Criminal investigators have taken statements from almost 100 Palestinian complainants and witnesses, along with approximately 500 IDF soldiers and commanders. Any decision not to investigate or prosecute an alleged offence can be appealed to Israel's Supreme Court.

Many of these investigations were opened by Israel as a result of its own concern. Others were opened, irrespective of the source of the allegation, in response to complaints from Palestinian civilians, NGO’s and UN and media reports. As regards the incidents described in the Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Report, the product of the UNHRC fact-finding mission led by Richard J. Goldstone, prior to the publication of the Report, Israel was already investigating 22 of the 34 incidents it addresses. The remaining 12 incidents, none of which had previously been brought to the attention of the Israeli authorities, were promptly referred for investigation upon the Report’s publication.

The State of Israel proposes, as its own actions are already have been or are being investigated, that the United Nations call upon Hamas to extradite its own officials responsible for committing war crimes. Unfortunately, Israel cannot rely on the neutrality of the UN Human Rights Council? The Human Rights Council has consistently singled out Israel, while failing to address the true violators of human rights. It has devoted more resolutions to condemning Israel, than to all the other countries of the world combined. Needless to say no resolution or fact-finding mission was initiated by the Council concerning the firing of 12,000 rockets and missiles on Israeli civilians during the years prior to the Gaza operation. Justice Goldstone himself admitted, in an interview to Al Jazeera: “I can understand Israel’s suspicion with regard to the Human Rights Council – it has been partial with regard to Israel for many years.”

Posts : 1 Join date : 2010-02-25

Hamas would never use the population they stand for as human shields, that simply makes no sense.Israel was the one to block the passage ways of Gaza Strip by bombing the place with help of the IDF and not allowing people to exit the war zone. Israel claims that the attacks on December 27th were for self-defense, but that argument is a failed excuse. The Israeli attack in the Palestinian territory was more than an overreaction. Under the excuse of protection, Israel massacres innocent people. Self-defense is not an excuse to kill innocent people. How can the delegate explain the usage of white phosphorous which is by the way an illegal weapon towards civilians, the killing of more than 1,000 Palestinians, entrapping Palestinians in Gaza Strip and torturing innocent civilians keeping them as prisoner of the war? How can the delegate after all defend that all these brutal measures were "unintended" and "undesired" to harm them? How were targets verified to be military bases? They most certainly weren't...otherwise how on earth would an UN built-up educational center, an elementary school and hospital and religious centers be accidentally bombed? About the Human Rights Council “singling out Israel", Is the delegate questioning the integrity of the United Nations? Keep in mind fellow delegate that the Hamas is being charged for crimes against humanity by the UN Human Rights council, proving that this organ is not, under any situation, singling out Israel. The delegate asks the HR council to address the true violators of human rights but there is no need for that demand since they already do so when investigating and condemning Israel. Delegate, it is true that there have been a lot of resolutions condemning Israel, but does it even matter when Israel fails to abide to any of them?

Peace, Palestine.

Posts : 5 Join date : 2010-02-25

yeah, what she said and.....
carrying out criminal investigations for 36 of the 150 incidents doesnt justify any of Israel's actions during that 22 day incursion, which leaded to the death of 1,400 innocent civilians. Also, big deal, the Israelis have suffered from emotional stress in the past eight years, Palestinians have been fighting for freedom from the Israelis for 63 years, not emotionally, physically. more than 18,000 palestinian homes habe been destroyed since 1967, more than 1,000 Palestinian children have been killed just from september 2000, 50% of their promised land by the UN has been illegaly annexed by Israel, and theres a huge apartheid wall which cuts off people from towns, hospitals, schools, everything. Now the whole world is telling Israel "stop with your illegal settling" "start peace negotiations" but no, instead they strike and murder even more, claiming that it was for self defense. What does demolishing a UN education center have to do with self defense? In the last incursion Israel stopped a Lybian carrier ship, licensed by the UN, that brought medical aid and food for the trapped palestinian people, they were trying to starve the palestinian refugees! They trap them, then start bombing everything, so that it just seems like collateral damage, that the Hamas put themselves in public areas, so they should be the ones at fault. Palestine has one of the highest population density in the world, so if a bomb lands anywhere then it is very likely that its going to kill various people. Where else are the people going to go? Israel trapped them in.
The IDF showed no respect towards international law during that incursion, and commited war crimes, as well as crimes against humanity. But, what could you expect when its a country that has constantly been condemned by 69 UN resolutions. Not all of them by the Human Rights committee, but as well as by the Security Council, like resolution 242 which Israel has never implemented, which is truly a set back on spreading the UN message of peace, because the UN was created in order to maintain world peace, so that countries could have peaceful relationships, and to make sure that no people would be deprived of their human rights, and here comes along Israel, a nation created by the UN, and starts doing everything that goes against the UN. Aquiring land through war is against international law, which is why Resolution 242 passed, because it stated that Israel was to return all of the occupied land, which is the right thing to do, but did Israel do so? NO. Youd think that people who came from such a troubled past would feel empathy for their neighbors, the Palestinians, but no. Instead they do the opposite, they attack and attack and attack.
Heres a list of all of the atrosities committed by Israel during the incursion:
1.) utilizing white phosphorus (illegal weapon) towards civilians
2.) bombing an UN built-up educational center
3.) firing towards hospitals and religious centers
4.) entrapping the Palestinians in Gaza Strip
5.) targeting an elementary school
6.) keeping a Libyan ship with aid from reaching Gaza Strip
7.) torturing innocent Palestinians and keeping them as prisoners of war
8.) killing more than 1,000 civilians
9.) arguing "self-defense" while there is no legal foundation for such
10.) embracing the idea of "collective punishment"
11.) diregarding obligations of an Occupying Power to protect an Occupied Population
12.) aiming at illegal civilian areas densely populated
13.) closing border corssings of fuel, food and basic humanitarian needs
14.) preventing UN and international human rights monitors from entering
15.) blocking journalists outside the warzone area
16.) violating US law of Arms Export Control Act
17.) bombing police stations and television broadcast centers
18.) rejecting an extension of ceasefire agreement three days before invading
19.) disconsidering fair trials for captured Hamas associates charged "guilty"
20.) refusing to engage in diplomatic talks
And heres a list of all the thing the Hamas are being accused of:
1.) not wearing uniforms
2.) keeping weapons stored in mosques
3.) using Red Cross ambulance for transportation
What Israel did in the 22 day incursion went against everything the United Nations stands for.
And by the way, is the delegate seriously doubting the credability of a UN Organ? Maybe if Israel stopped doing everything wrong all the time, then just maybe they might get off Israel's case for a bit. But so far that hasnt happenned, so justice will be served as according to the UN principles.

peace, Palestine.

The Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo would like to express its support to the delegation of Palestine. But it also agrees with Israel's statement that says, "calls upon Hamas to extradite its own officials responsible for committing war crimes" and it also urges Palestinian armed groups undertake forthwith to respect international humanitarian law, in particular by renouncing attacks on Israeli civilians and civilian objects, and take all feasible precautionary measures to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians during hostilities. Israel’s policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitutes a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Bearing in mind that Palestinians would only return to peace negotiations after Israel stop illegal settlements in the West Bank. Peace in the Middle East would only be achieved when the international community promotes Israel recognition of its wrongdoing and holds Israel accountable for its policies of deliberate discrimination and destruction. Israel has agreed to certain reductions in settlement growth but has refused calls for a complete freeze. Israel cannot rely on a right of self-defense or on a state of necessity in order to preclude the wrongfulness of the construction of the wall, construction of the barrier is contrary to international law. Israeli barrier causes serious humanitarian and legal problems and goes far beyond what is permissible for an occupying power. the barrier has many effects on Palestinians such as road closures, loss of land, increased difficulty in accessing medical services in Israel, and restricted access to water sources. Recognizing that Israel has the right to take necessary measures to protect the security of its citizens and its borders from attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups, but it must do so in accordance with international humanitarian law, including the law of occupation and it must do it without hurting civilians. The Israel Force Defense (IFD) cost the lives of 1,444 innocent civilians, according to Gaza Authorities. Israeli armed forces launched numerous attacks against buildings and persons of the Gaza authorities. The delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo would not accept more deaths of innocent civilians. Israel should seriously reconsider its violent actions and harsh measures, not only for the besieged Palestinian people and the peace process, but for its own security.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Subject: Brazil's View Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:30 am

Brazil, as a full-supporter of peace, condems the violations of humanitarian law occuring on both sides of the Gaza conflict. Brazil belives that both Israel and Palestine is bound by international law and should both be held accountable for the human right violations this conflict has brought about. Nonetheless, this accountability will come through credible investigations of these infringements. Brazil emphasizes the need to seek justice, truth and peace, and believes these can only be achieved through the recognition of Palestine as an economically viable and democratic state and through an end to the occupation and violence occuring in Palestinian territories. The problem is not what one side thinks about the cause, but what the side does to their opponents. The Delegation of Brazil would like to cite an Israeli Prof. Arnon Sofer of Haifa University, published in the Jerusalem Post, affirming, “If we [Israel] want to remain alive, we will have to kill and kill and kill. All day, every day. If we don't kill we will cease to exist.” The actions of a group, wrong or not, should not be collaterally punished by imprisoning the good and the bad together, making innocents suffer, and putting everyone in the Gaza Strip in grave danger. There are rational ways to solve conflicts.

Brazil reinforces the fact that peace and justice will never exist where there is hypocrisy and no room for truths. Israel talks about peace while waging wars; it complains about Palestinian dodgy rockets while bombing them with F-16s, DIME and white phosphorous; Israel plays the victim while massacring women and children; it pretends to be liberal while clinging fanatically to ancient religious myths and want a Jewish only state; Israel accuse others of anti-Semitism while practicing racial and religious hatred; it crucified Jesus and claims he is on its side, Israel've rigged this vote and will continue to rigged many other votes and truths as well. Brazil also pledges the international community to take a second and imagine being living in Gaza i.e. The World's largest open-air prison, where your only source of food and medicine comes from international aid; where there is no place to go if you get bored and even scared; where your life is the same today, tomorrow, and the day after. The only thing that might alter in your daily lifestyle is sheltering from attacks by Israel. Brazil aspires for peace, truth, and justice so that this immoral imprisonment lasts no more and that Gazans and people suffering from this tough conflict may be able to enjoy life once more.

Peace/Paz/Salam/Shalom

Subject: Human Rights Violantions Occuring in Gaza Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:21 pm

The delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo fully agrees with Brazil. Palestinians endure conditions of conflict, insecurity and enforced poverty, in which values of humanity, compassion and justice have been absent all too often and accountability for violations lacking. Thousands have been killed and injured or have lost their homes, livelihoods and land, whilst sustained human, social and economic development has been impossible because of continuing military occupation, severe restrictions on access to land, natural resources and outside markets. The rights and freedoms to which they are entitled under international law – including as relate to freedom of movement, life and security, essential services, employment, adequate standards of living, protection from displacement and the over-arching right to self determination - continue to be routinely violated, often with impunity. Israel has maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas’s takeover of June 2007. Exports have been banned, with very limited exceptions, and imports strictly curbed, including basic commodities and materials and equipment essential for the survival of Gaza’s already debilitated commercial sector, the maintenance of basic public infrastructure and the delivery of vital services.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Okay like seriously all of you UNHCR delegates PLEASE keep within your own committee!
This is a topic for Human Rights to dicuss and all I see is UNHCR members posting. Keep to UNHCR's committee so the Delegates can actually get some work done. Its useless for UNHCR members to post here because your opinion doesn't matter in the Human Right's Committee!

Thank you! Smile

India's Human Rights Delegate,
Tyler Simpson

Hello Tyler,

Please please please, oh please, when something goes wrong in the forum, I'll be the first to jump off the breach with my katana, and cut heads.
EVERYONE's opinion is important. Though BRAMUN divides caucuses not by geographical regions (like we partly do in PASB's SALMUN), but by political and social fields, such ECOSOC, Political Committee, Security Council ect, in Ga, all delegates representing the same country join to form huge delegation (I was in Sudan's last year and we were 7!!!!!!)
I am not blaming you or anything, but please don't be giving lessons on procedure, that's the chairs' job Very Happy

Thanks for your contribution though, and looking forward reading your posts Very Happy

Ale and Victoria, thanks for making that point very clear, but for the sake of debate I removed your comments. I am also looking forward reading all of your posts and am glad of your participation in debate! Very Happy

Oscar CR
web guru

Posts : 3 Join date : 2010-02-25

Now the delegate of Pakistan will bring back the topic at hand: human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

One major issue in human rights is the war crimes against children. Something must be done as innocent children are caught in the middle of this bloody battle. Reports are going out of Israeli Defence forces using children as human shields. Asking them to walk in front of their forces and even open bags for them that possibly contain explosives! The Israeli "Defence" forces are targeting civilian homes, and this scuffle over land has become a serious human rights abuse as more than 313 unarmed children were killed by Israeli forces recently.

With so many reports going out, how can it be factious? How can people make up stories of young children dying in the name of someone else's war? How can Israel counter this? What explantation could they possibly have?

Posts : 2 Join date : 2010-02-10

I am happy to see that some of the delegations have already posted their position papers in reference to the question at hand. I encurage you all to look at the study guide I have put together on this topic in the Study Guide area of the HR. Having access to that can enhance debate and inform you fellow delegates about technicalities that you are expected to know in order to engage in meaningful discussion. I am open to reply any questions, comments or concerns that you may have.
Thanks,
Maria E.

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