Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
BBC Sport>>
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Monday, 27 November, 2000, 19:42 GMT
UN rights chief criticises Israel
UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson has denounced the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories and spoken of the need for an international monitoring presence.
[There are] daily acts of discrimination, inequality, humiliation, and the powerlessness of occupation. This has been intensified by the conflict, intensified by the excessive use of force
UN commissioner Mary Robinson
Mrs Robinson, who visited the region earlier this month, described the situation as bleak, and accused the Israelis of using excessive force.
In a report to the UN General Assembly, she urged both the Israeli security forces and the Palestinians to spare civilian lives and renew efforts to halt the violence, which has killed around 280 people over the past two months - most of them Palestinians.
The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Yaakov Levy, has questioned the usefulness of deploying international monitors and disputed many of the report's findings.
He said Israeli forces were not retaliating against stone-throwing youths, as the report implied, but against gunfire and bombs.
Settlement building
Mrs Robinson also called for a halt to the construction of new Israeli settlements on occupied territory.
She said she had felt the need to record her surprise and shock after seeing the expansion work of a settlement in southern Gaza during her visit.
In general, the report said the economic effects of the sealing-off of the Palestinian territories had been "devastating", as Palestinians have also lost access to jobs because of Israeli security measures.
At a news conference Mrs Robinson described "daily acts of discrimination, inequality, humiliation and powerlessness of occupation" which she said had been intensified by the conflict.
"The civilian population feels besieged by a stronger power prepared to use its superior force against demonstrations and stone-throwing by adolescents," she said.
In her report, she called for Israeli defence forces to "withdraw from some of their forward positions" and lower their military profile generally in the territories, which she said could help break the cycle of violence.
She added that Israel had rejected so far the idea of an international monitoring or protection presence in the region.
Related to this story:
Putin proposes Mid-East observers
(25 Nov 00 | Middle East)
Russia enters Mid-East fray
(23 Nov 00 | Middle East)
Arafat appeals for UN peacekeepers
(06 Nov 00 | Middle East)
Annan leads Mid-east peace drive
(18 Nov 00 | Middle East)
UN envoy heads for Israel
(08 Nov 00 | Middle East)
Palestinians push for observer force
(21 Nov 00 | Middle East)
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
High Graphics |
AudioVideo |
Feedback |
Help |
Noticias |
Newyddion |
BBC Sport>>
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page |
World |
UK |
UK Politics |
Business |
Sci/Tech |
Health |
Education |
Entertainment |
Talking Point |
AudioVideo |
World Contents:
Africa |
Americas |
Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
Middle East |
South Asia |
From Our Own Correspondent |
Letter From America |
Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©