The Applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the OPT
OPT

Resolution 605 (1987) Adopted by the Security Council at its 2777th meeting
on 22 December 1987


The Security Council,

Having considered the letter dated 11 December 1987 from the Permanent 
Representative of Democratic Yemen to the United Nations, in his capacity as 
Chairman of the Arab Group for the month of December,1/

Bearing in mind the inalienable rights of all peoples recognized by the Charter 
of the United Nations and proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights, 2/

Recalling its relevant resolutions on the situation in the Palestinian and other 
Arab territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and 
including its resolutions 446 (1979), 465 (1980), 497 (1981) and 592 (1986),

Recalling also the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian 
Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,3/

Gravely concerned and alarmed by the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian 
and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem,

Taking into account the need to consider measures for the impartial protection 
of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation,

Considering that the current policies and practices of Israel, the occupying 
Power, in the occupied territories are bound to have grave consequences for the 
endeavours to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,

1. Strongly deplores those policies and practices of Israel, the occupying 
Power, which violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied 
territories, and in particular the opening of fire by the Israeli army, 
resulting in the killing and wounding of defenceless Palestinian civilians;

2. Reaffirms that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian 
Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, is applicable to the Palestinian and 
other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem;

3. Calls once again upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide immediately and 
scrupulously by the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian 
Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and to desist forthwith from its 
policies and practices that are in violation of the provisions of the 
Convention;

4. Calls furthermore for the exercise of the maximum restraint to contribute 
towards the establishment of peace;

5. Stresses the urgent need to reach a just, durable and peaceful settlement of 
the Arab-Israeli conflict;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to examine the present situation in the 
occupied territories by all means available to him, and to submit a report no 
later than 20 January 1988 containing his recommendations on ways and means for 
ensuring the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians under Israeli 
occupation;

7. Decides to keep the situation in the Palestinian and other Arab territories 
occupied by Israeli since 1967, including Jerusalem, under review.

__________________

1/ S/19333.

2/ General Assembly resolution 217 A (III).

3/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p. 287.palprofor.87 

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