The Sharm El-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee today informed the Palestinian side that it is suspending its work due to Israelšs refusal to cooperate with the Committee. This announcement comes on the eve of marathon talks between Palestinians and Israelis at Taba, Egypt.
Minister of Culture and Information, Yasser Abed Rabbo, responsible for relations with the Sharm El-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, expressed his anger and disappointment stating, ŗIsraelšs tactics are to prevent an objective and thorough investigation into the cause of the current crisis and into Israelšs systematic violations of Palestinian human rights. This latest decision by the Committee demonstrates that these tactics are working.˛
The current crisis, which has claimed the lives of 341 Palestinians, was sparked by Likud leader Ariel Sharonšs provocative visit to the Haram al-Sharif on September 28, 2000. International and regional leaders attending the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit in October 2000 unanimously endorsed the establishment of an international committee to investigate the root causes of the recent clashes and recommend ways to bring an end to the violence.
ŗOnce again, Israel is demonstrating its defiance of the international community by refusing to cooperate with this international Committee. Israel must not be allowed to dictate or change the terms of this Committeešs work,˛ said Minister Abed Rabbo.
The Committeešs investigation has been hampered since last Monday when Israel announced the end of its formal cooperation with the Committee, citing the Committeešs unaccompanied visit to the Haram al-Sharif as the reason. In response to Israelšs decision, the Committee announced on Thursday that it was delaying the trip of its 5-member delegation to the region for three weeks. The Committee has not indicated when it will resume its investigation.
This week, Israelšs Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced its unwillingness to cooperate with an inquiry set up by the United Nations Human Rights Commission to investigate the violence.
Minister Abed Rabbo added, ŗThis latest Israeli action casts serious doubt upon its intention to negotiate in good faith.˛
Minister Abed Rabbo called upon the international community to intervene to ensure the prompt resumption of the Committeešs work: ŗIt is imperative that the international community immediately renew its support for this international inquiry.˛
For further Information, please contact:
The Palestine Media Center- PMC
Communications Department: Mr. Samir Rantissi
Tel: +972 or 970-2- 2407721\9
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E-mail: pmc@palestine-pmc.com
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Over the past few weeks of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontations, a
very disturbing trend has taken root. Israel adopted a policy of
assassinating Palestinians accused of leading the Intifada. This
policy relied on extensive intelligence and surveillance dependent on
Palestinian collaborators. In return, the PNA responded to this policy
by starting a crack down on collaborators who give information to
Israel that leads to the death of Palestinian activists. The PNA tried
and executed a number of these collaborators in a matter of days.
In addition, the Director of Palestinian TV and Radio Hisham Mikki was
assassinated; and another Palestinian was killed in a family dispute.
With regard to these events, the Programme stressed the following
points:
- The policy of assassination is a clear and flagrant violation of
international human rights standards. Regardless of the party that
carries out the assassination and the reason behind it, no one can be
judged with a fair and impartial trial that ensures the due judicial
process that guarantees the rights of the accused. - The increase in
Palestinian internal violence is a disturbing trend indicating the
rising frustration in the confrontation with Israel and the
redirection of energy inward. This is also evident in the execution of
collaborators after hasty trials. The PNA should heed this dangerous
signal and come up with adequate solutions. - The policy of
assassination or executions is rejected under any circumstances. If an
individual is accused of any crime. He\she should be given a fair and
impartial trial. If guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt, the
punishment must not violate the right of life. Therefore, the death
penalty should not be used under any circumstances. - GCMHP calls upon
Israel to stop yet another grave violation of human rights represented
by its policy of assassination. In addition, the Programme calls upon
the PNA to stop using the death penalty in punishing collaborators.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
Public Statement
On
Executions and Assassinations