Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad al-Malki said on Friday evening that the UN Human Rights Council approved a draft resolution submitted by the State of Palestine, which calls for holding Israel accountable for its human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
He said 22 states voted in favor, 17 countries abstained, and eight countries voted against of the draft resolution submitted by the State of Palestine through its Permenant Mission in the United Nations.
Al-Malki pointed out to the importance of voting in favor of the resolution at this critical time, when Israel is planning to annex portions of the occupied Palestinian Territory with the support and direct encouragement of the current US administration, in clear violation of international law and its resolutions.
He described the countries that voted against the draft resolution as “practicing political hypocrisy and standing in the face of justice and on the wrong side of history,” and that voting against the draft resolution means “support for Israeli war criminals.”
Al-Malki urged all members of the international community to encourage compliance with international law, and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister asked the High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit a report on how states can fulfill their obligations in implementing the recommendations of the resolution, including accountability and legal measures needed to ensure that Israel and all other relevant parties honor their obligations under international law in occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem.
To be noted, the resolution on accountability “calls upon all States to promote compliance with international law and all High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention .. including by ensuring that they do not become involved in internationally unlawful conduct, and to assess the potential that arms could be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian or human rights law.”
