Statement by Mr. SHEN Yongxiang, Alternate Representative of the Chinese Delegation on Item 8: Occupied Arab Territories, including the violation of human rights of the Palestinian People at the 57th session of the Commission on Human Rights(28/03/2001)
2003-11-25 10:36
(March 28, 2001) |
Mr. Chairman,
The peace process in the
Middle East has entered its tenth year since the 1991 Madrid
Peace Conference. During these 10 years, thanks to
the joint efforts of the Arab and Israeli sides and the
endeavors of the international community, the process has
registered some significant progress. Last year
witnessed Israel’s withdrawal of its troops from
Southern Lebanon and negotiations entered on the final
status between Palestine and Israel. All these are
important elements in the complete restoration of the
legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people and the
realization of a comprehensive and durable peace in the
Middle East region.
To our regret, however, the
eruption of large-scale violence between Israel and
Palestine last September has severely hindered the Middle
East peace process, causing grave concern to the
international community. Last October, the
Commission convened a special session on Palestine which
adopted a resolution and strongly condemned the responsible
party for its abuse of military forces resulting in large
amount of civilian casualties, especially that of women and
children. It also called upon the international
community to take immediate and effective measures to halt
this serious violation of the human rights of the
Palestinian people. However, the violent
confrontations between Israel and Palestine have continued
unabated. A series of extreme incidents have
resurged not too long ago. We are gravely
concerned by this situation. The endless prolongation of the
Middle East and Palestine issues not only endangers the
peace and security of the region, but also poses a constant
threat to the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms by the Palestinian people.
Mr.
Chairman,
This year marks the beginning of a
new century. The development of humanity also
enters into a new stage. However, this optimism of
a dawning Century is marred by a dark shadow: the specter of
the decades-long sufferings of the Palestinian people in
destitute. The international community, including
this Commission, should give importance and apply itself to
the solution of the Middle East and Palestine issues in
accordance with the purposes and principles of the United
Nations Charter and the relevant resolutions adopted by the
General Assembly, the Security Council and the Commission
itself. The Chinese delegation is of the view that
the international community should build upon the
opportunity offered by the convening of the Special Session
of the Commission on Palestine last October, and urge
certain countries to discard their taste for double
standards and replace it with effective measures conducive
to a just and fair solution to the Middle East and Palestine
issues at an early date. Only with the sustained
progress of the Middle East peace process can the security
of the countries in that region be really safeguarded, and
can the Palestinian people who have long been victimized by
war and destitution fully enjoy all human rights and
fundamental freedoms, including their right to
self-determination.
Mr.
Chairman,
Being a permanent member of the
Security Council, China constantly supports the Palestinian
people in their struggle to restore their legitimate
national rights, and actively supports the Middle East peace
process. It has made contribution within its capabilities
towards the relaxation of tension and the advancement of
peace in the Middle East region. The Chinese
government always holds the view that the relevant UN
resolutions on the Middle East and the principle of
“land for peace” are the bases for peace talks
on the Middle East. The effective implementation
by all sides of agreements and understandings reached
between them is the key to break the deadlock in the Middle
East peace talks. We hope that all relevant UN
resolutions and previously reached agreements will be
implemented and adhered to. The parties concerned
should take all necessary precautions against any action
detrimental to the peace process. The
international community has the responsibility and
obligation to help the relevant parties in the Middle East
to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in the
realization of a comprehensive, just and durable peace in
the region. The Chinese government will, as
always, work with the international community and will
continue to play a positive role in the early solution of
the Palestine issue, as the latter is in fact the crux of
all Middle East issues.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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