FOURTH COMMITTEE, ENDING WORK FOR SESSION, REAFFIRMS ROLE OF PALESTINE REFUGEE AGENCY, CALLS FOR MAXIMUM POSSIBLE SUPPORT

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Fourth Committee

24^th Meeting (AM)*

FOURTH COMMITTEE, ENDING WORK FOR SESSION, REAFFIRMS ROLE OF PALESTINE

REFUGEE AGENCY, CALLS FOR MAXIMUM POSSIBLE SUPPORT

Other Texts Approved Seek to Stop Israeli Settlement

Activity, Construction of Separation Wall and Human Rights Violations

Concluding its work for the current session, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) took action this morning on ten draft resolutions -- approving five texts relating to the work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and five on Israeli practices in territories occupied since 1967.

The Committee’s action today follows its in-depth consideration of the report of UNRWA’s Commissioner-General on the Agency’s operations, as well as the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.

Approving an orally revised draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by a recorded vote of 109 in favour to none against with 54 abstentions, the Assembly would reaffirm the importance of the Agency’s operation for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region.  Regretting the death of six Agency staff members during the reporting period, the Assembly would call upon all relevant parties to take effective measures to ensure the safety of the Agency’s personnel, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities.  (See Annex V)

By a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 5 against (Israel, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau) with 11 abstentions, the Committee approved a draft resolution, by which the Assembly would call upon Israel to cease obstructing the movement of UNRWA personnel, vehicles and supplies, as well as the levying of extra fees and charges, which have a detrimental effect on the Agency’s operations.  It would also urge Israel’s Government to compensate the Agency for damage to its property and facilities resulting from actions by the Israeli side, particularly during the reporting period.  (Annex III).

The Committee also approved, by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to one against (Israel) with eight abstentions (Cameroon, Honduras, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and the United States), a draft on assistance to Palestinian refugees.  By its terms, the Assembly would note, with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (III) on the question, has not yet been effected, and that the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of concern.  Affirming the necessity of continuing UNRWA’s work, the Assembly would call upon all donors to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals.  (Annex I).

Other UNRWA-related drafts approved this morning by recorded votes, included a text on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (Annex II) and Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (Annex IV).

Taking up draft resolutions on Israeli practices, the Committee approved a text by which the Assembly would reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development.  It would also reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

By further terms regarding the construction of the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Assembly would demand that Israel stop and reverse construction, including in and around East Jerusalem, which is in departure of the Armistice Line of 1949 and is illegal under international law.  It would reiterate its calls for the prevention of all acts of violence by Israeli settlers, particularly in the light of recent developments.  The text was approved by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, and the United States) with 12 abstentions (Annex VIII).

The Committee also approved a text on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and the United States) with 19 abstentions (Annex IX).  By the text, the Assembly would the demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people.  It would also stress the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all the occupied Palestinian territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods within the Palestinian territory, including the removal of restrictions on movement into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world.

By further provisions of the text, the Assembly would condemn all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, resulting in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive destruction. 

Other drafts on Israeli practices were approved this morning by a recorded vote.  They include:  the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (Annex VI); the applicability of the Geneva Convention (Annex VII) and the occupied Syrian Golan (Annex X).

The representatives of Indonesia, the Netherlands, Jordan, and the United States introduced the draft resolutions on UNRWA. 

Explaining their position on the texts this morning were the representatives of Israel, Peru, Thailand, Canada, Italy (on behalf of the European Union), the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Australia and Syria.  The representative of the Permanent Observer of Palestine also spoke.

With today’s meeting, the Fourth Committee completed its work for the fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly.

Background

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to take action on draft resolutions on the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and on the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Illegal Israeli Practices Affecting the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.

By the terms of a draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees and support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1) the Assembly would affirm the necessity for continuing the Agency’s work, and the importance of its operation and services for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of the region, pending the resolution of the question of the Palestine refugees.

The Assembly would, by further terms, call upon all States to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals, and to support the Agency’s valuable work in providing assistance to the Palestine refugees.

Further, the Assembly would take note with approval of the report of the working group on the financing of UNRWA for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and would request the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the working group for the conduct of its work.

The Assembly would also endorse the efforts of UNRWA’s Commissioner-General to continue to provide humanitarian assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continuing assistance as a result of the June 1967 hostilities.  It would strongly appeal to all governments, organizations and individuals to generously contribute to the Agency and to other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, and reiterate previous appeals to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to UNRWA’s regular budget.

By further terms, the Assembly would appeal to all States, specialized agencies and other international bodies to extend assistance for higher education to Palestine refugee students and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and request the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships.

Also by the text, the Assembly would express its appreciation of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, as well as to all of the staff of the Agency, for their tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in the light of the increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year.

The Assembly would also express its appreciation to the Advisory Commission of the Agency, and request it to continue its efforts and to keep the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full implementation of its decision 48/417 of 10 December 1993.

Further, the Assembly would commend the Commissioner-General’s efforts to increase the Agency’s budgetary transparency and efficiency, as well as the support of host governments for the Agency in the discharge of its duties.  It would also call upon the Agency to continue to work on improving budget and administrative management for the delivery of better service.

The Assembly would also call upon all relevant parties to take effective measures to ensure the safety of the Agency’s personnel, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of its facilities.

The Assembly would note the success of the Agency’s microfinance and enterprise programmes, and call upon the Agency, in close cooperation with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development of the economic and social stability of the Palestine refugees.  It would also request the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution.

The draft was co-sponsored by the United States, Australia, Canada, Dominica, Palau and Uganda.

By the terms of an amendment to draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1) (document A/C.4/58/L.22), the Assembly would call upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply fully with the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, which is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Assembly would also call upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations, and by the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of the facilities of the Agency in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

By the terms of the proposed amendment, the words “call for the Agency to continue to work on improving budget and administrative management for delivery of better service” would be deleted from paragraph 10 in the draft resolution.  Additionally, paragraph 13 of the draft, which requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution, would be deleted.

The amendment was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the Permanent Observer for Palestine.

By a draft on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/C.4/58/L.10), the Assembly would note with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of its resolution 194 (III) in December 1948 and subsequent resolutions on the question, has not yet been effected and that the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of concern.  It would also note that the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving progress in implementing paragraph 11 of that resolution and request the Commission to exert continued efforts in that regard, and report to the Assembly not later than 1 September 2004.

Affirming the necessity of continuing UNRWA’s work and the importance of its operations and services, the Assembly would call upon all donors to continue to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the Agency’s anticipated needs, including those mentioned in recent emergency appeals.

The draft was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

According to a draft on persons displaced as a result of June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/C.4/58/L.12), the Assembly would reaffirm the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 hostilities, and subsequent hostilities, to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967.  Expressing deep concern that the mechanism agreed upon by the parties (in the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements) on the return of displaced persons has not been effected, it would stress the necessity of an accelerated return of those persons.

In the meantime, by further terms of the text, the Assembly would endorse the Commissioner-General’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance on an emergency basis and as a temporary measure to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious need of continuing assistance.  It would strongly appeal to all governments, organizations and individuals to generously contribute to the Agency and other international and non-governmental organizations.

The draft was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

A draft resolution on offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees (document A/C.4/58/L.13) would have the Assembly appeal to all States, specialized agencies and other international bodies to extend assistance for higher education to Palestine refugee students and to support vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and request the Agency to act as the recipient of and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships.

It would also appeal to all States, specialized agencies and the United Nations University to generously contribute to the Palestinian universities in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including, in due course, the proposed University of Jerusalem “Al-Quds” for Palestine refugees.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

According to a draft resolution on UNRWA’s operations (document A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1), the Assembly would express its appreciation to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, as well as to all of the staff of the Agency, for their tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in the light of the increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year.

The Assembly would also express its appreciation to the Advisory Commission of the Agency, and request it to continue its efforts and to keep the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full implementation of decision 48/417.

Further, the Assembly would take note with appreciation of the report of the working group on the financing of UNWRA for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and request the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance to the working group for the conduct of its work.

The Assembly would commend the continuing efforts of the Commissioner-General to increase the budgetary transparency and efficiency of the Agency.  It would also acknowledge the support of the host governments for the Agency in the discharge of its duties.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would take note of the functioning of the headquarters of the Agency in Gaza City on the basis of the Headquarters Agreement between the Agency and the Palestinian Authority.  It would also call upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply fully with the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Convention on protection of civilians in time of war.

The Assembly would call upon Israel to abide by Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations, and by the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency, the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security of the facilities of the Agency in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Assembly would also urge the Government of Israel to compensate the Agency for damage to its property, and would also call upon Israel particularly to cease obstructing the movement of the personnel, vehicles and supplies of the Agency and to cease the levying of extra fees and charges, which have a detrimental effect on the Agency’s operations.

Further, the Assembly would request the UNRWA Commissioner-General to proceed with the issuance of identification cards for Palestine refugees and their descendants in the occupied Palestinian territory.  It would also affirm that the functioning of the Agency remains essential in all fields of operation.

The Assembly would note the success of the Agency’s microfinance and microenterprise programmes, and calls upon the Agency, in close cooperation with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development of the economic and social stability of the Palestinian refugees.

The Assembly would also reiterate its request to the Commissioner-General to proceed with the modernization of the archives of the Agency through the Palestine refugee records project, and to indicate progress in his report to the General Assembly at its fifty-night session.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would reiterate its previous appeals to all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships for higher education to Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to the regular budget of the Agency, and to contribute towards the establishment of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees.  It would request the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships.

The Assembly would urge all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and to increase their contributions to the Agency so as to ease the ongoing financial constraints, exacerbated by the current humanitarian situation on the ground, and to support the Agency’s valuable work in assistance to the Palestinian refugees.

The draft resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

A draft resolution on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/C.4/58/L.15) would have the Assembly reaffirm that the Palestine refugees are entitled to their property and to the income derived therefrom, in conformity with the principles of equity and justice.

By further terms, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel, and call once again on Israel to render all facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation of the resolution.

It would also call upon all the parties concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any pertinent information in their possession concerning Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel that would assist him in the implementation of the present resolution.  It would urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process.

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine co-sponsored the draft.

The Committee had before it a draft resolution on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/C.4/58/L.17) by which the Assembly would commend the Special Committee for its efforts in performing the tasks assigned to it and for its impartiality.  It would reiterate its demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cooperate with the Special Committee.

By further terms, the Assembly would deplore those policies and practices of Israel that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories as reflected in the Special Committee’s report.  It would express grave concern about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, since 28 September 2000, as a result of Israeli practices and measures, and especially condemn the excessive and indiscriminate use of force against the civilian population, including extrajudicial executions, which has resulted in more than 2,600 Palestinian deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.

The Assembly would also request the Special Committee, pending complete termination of the Israeli occupation, to investigate Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, especially Israeli violations of the Geneva Convention.  The Special Committee would also be requested to consult with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to ensure that the welfare and human rights of the peoples in the occupied territories are safeguarded and to report to the Secretary-General.

By other terms of the draft, the Assembly would request the Special Committee to submit periodic reports to the Secretary-General on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.  It would further request the Special Committee to continue to investigate the treatment of prisoners and detainees in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967.

The Secretary-General would be requested to provide the Special Committee with all necessary facilities, including those required for visits to the occupied territories, so that it may investigate Israeli policies and practices.  He would also be asked to make additional staff available as necessary; to circulate periodic reports to Member States; and to ensure wide circulation of the Special Committee’s reports and information on its activities through the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine co-sponsored the draft.

The Committee also had before it a draft resolution on applicability of the Geneva Convention (document A/C.4/58/L.18).  By its terms, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Geneva Convention is applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and demand that Israel comply scrupulously with the provisions of that Convention.  It would call upon all High Contracting Parties to the Convention to continue to exert all efforts to ensure respect for its provisions by Israel, the occupying Power, in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

The Assembly also had before it a draft resolution on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1). By the terms of the draft resolution, the General Assembly would reaffirm that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development.

The Assembly would also call upon Israel to accept the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and to the occupied Syrian Golan, and to abide scrupulously by the provision of the Convention, in particular article 49.

Further, the Assembly would reiterate its demand for the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

Regarding the construction of the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Assembly would demand that Israel stop and reverse construction, including in and around East Jerusalem, which it states is in departure of the armistice line of 1949 and is illegal under international law.

The Assembly would stress the need for full implementation of Security Council resolution 904 (1994), in which, among other things, the Council called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to take and implement measures, including confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and called for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory.

The Assembly would reiterate its calls for the prevention of all acts of violence by Israeli settlers, particularly in the light of recent developments, and would request the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

The Fourth Committee also had before it a draft resolution regarding Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied Palestinian territories (document A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1).  By the terms of the resolution, the Assembly would determine that all measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in violation of the relevant provisions of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in wartime, and contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, are illegal and have no validity.

The Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, comply fully with the provisions of the relevant Geneva Convention and cease immediately all measures and actions taken in violation of the Convention, including extrajudicial executions.

By a further provision, the Assembly would condemn all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, resulting in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive destruction.  The Assembly would also condemn the events that occurred in the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002, including the loss of life, injury, destruction and displacement inflicted on many of its civilian inhabitants.

Further, the Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people.  It would also stress the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all the occupied Palestinian territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods within the Palestinian territory, including the removal of restrictions on movement into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world.

The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.21), the Assembly would call upon Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions on the occupied Syrian Golan, in particular Security Council resolution 497 (1981), in which the Council decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan was null and void and without international legal effect, and demanded that Israel, the occupying Power, rescind its decision.

The Assembly would also call upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and to desist from the establishment of settlements.  It would determine that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel that purport to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and of the Geneva Convention, and have no legal effect.

By other terms, the Assembly would call upon Israel to desist from imposing Israeli citizenship and Israeli identity cards on the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan and from its repressive measures against the population.  It would also deplore Israel’s violations of the Geneva Convention and call once again upon Member States not to recognize any of the legislative or administrative measures referred to in the draft.

The draft was co-sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Palestine.

Introduction of UNRWA Drafts

DESRA PERCAYA (Indonesia) introduced the texts on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/C.4.58/L.10); persons displaced as a result of June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/C.4/58/L.12); on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) operations (document A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1); and on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/C.4/58/L.15).  He said he wished to withdraw draft texts on offers by Member States, of grants and scholarships for higher education of Palestine’s refugees, and on the University of Jerusalem “Al Quds” for Palestine’s refugees.

He said he hoped that, in light of the serious efforts to consolidate the draft, the committee would adopt these resolutions with the largest possible majority, and by consensus if possible, since that would reflect the firm and continuing support of international community to work of UNRWA and to the Palestine refugees.

DIRK JAN VAN DEN BERG (Netherlands), speaking on the draft resolution on the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA (document A/C.4/58/L.11), said that, in light of the efforts to consolidate the draft resolutions pertaining to the work of UNRWA, he would withdraw the draft with some regret because it was the only one pertaining to UNRWA that was traditionally adopted by consensus.  However, he added, consolidation was more important.

PETER H. VROOMAN (United States) introduced the draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1, on assistance to Palestine refugees and support for UNRWA.  He noted that some changes had been made.  On paragraph 10 of the changes to the operative part of the resolution the sentence “and calls upon the Agency to continue to work on improving budget and administrative management for delivery of better service”; would be deleted.  Operative Paragraph 13 would also be deleted.

He said the following countries had decided to co-sponsor the draft:  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Marshall Islands, Romania, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

HARON HASSAN (Jordan) introduced draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.22, which contains amendments to draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1., and informed the Committee that its co-sponsors decided to no longer insist on taking action on the draft resolution.

Action on texts

The representative of Italy, on behalf of the European Union, informed the Committee that the European Union was co-sponsoring resolutions A/C.4/58/L.9, as well as A/C.4.58/L.10 and A/C.4/58/L.15.

The Committee vice-chairman, JASNA OGNJANOVAC (Croatia), announced additional co-sponsors to draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.10:  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Comoros, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Italy Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Additional co-sponsors to draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.12 include Comoros, Guinea, Indonesia, Libya, Sudan and Mali.  She announced that Guinea, Mauritania and Mali had become co-sponsors of draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1, and that additional co-sponsors of draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.15 included:  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Comoros, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

In addition to the co-sponsors read out by the representative of the United States, she said, Albania, Croatia, Micronesia, Palau and Uganda had decided to co-sponsor draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1.

Speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Jordan, on behalf of Arab States, said the Arab Member States would abstain on draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1, as orally amended, as it did not mention resolution 194 (III) of December 1948, which provided the basis for the solution of the Palestinian refugee problem.  While, appreciating efforts to produce the draft resolution, such efforts should have been carried out in prior consultations with the concerned parties.  Today’s effort was a step in the right direction towards reaching consensus in the future.

The representative of Thailand said the plight of Palestinian refugees had been a longstanding humanitarian concern.  For that reason, Thailand would vote in favour of the drafts.  The only real solution to end the suffering of the Palestinian refugees was through an early, peaceful and comprehensive political settlement on the basis of Security Council resolutions.

The Committee first took up draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.10, as orally revised, on assistance to Palestine refugees.  It approved that text, by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 1 against (Israel) with 8 abstentions (Cameroon, Honduras, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and the United States (See Annex I).

Taking up the draft on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/C.4/58/L.12), the Committee approved that text, by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 5 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau and the United States) with 6 abstentions (Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu) (Annex II).

The Committee then took action on draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1, as orally revised, approving that text by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 5 against (Israel, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau) with 11 abstentions (Annex III).

By a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 5 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau and the United States) with 9 abstentions (Cameroon, Fiji, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) the Committee then approved a text on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/C.4/58/L.15) (Annex IV).

The Committee then took up draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1, on assistance to Palestine refugees and support for UNRWA, as orally revised, approving that text by a recorded vote of 109 in favour to none against with 54 abstentions (Annex V).

Speaking in explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Israel said Israel supported UNRWA’s humanitarian mission.  Any resolution adopted regarding UNRWA should focus on its operations and not on extraneous political issues, which were introduced to single out one country, to prejudge issues reserved for negotiations or to further the interests of one party to a conflict.  For too long, issues which were of broad concern had been politicized by diplomatic games and strong-arm tactics at the United Nations.

For those reasons, Israel had supported the original consolidated text in draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9, which was in line with attempts at reform and streamlining.  Israel had gone to extraordinary lengths and made repeated compromises to support efforts to have the resolution adopted by consensus.

It respected the serious efforts of the original sponsors of draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.9 to consolidate and depoliticize UNRWA resolutions.  There was no reason why the Agency’s primary financial supporters should be undermined by diplomatic manoeuvres, in their efforts to reach a resolution on the very organization their funds kept alive.  Specific wording, which was unacceptable in a consensus text, should not be allowed to be transferred verbatim to a wholly superfluous mirror resolution on “operations”.

He said all parties, as well as the Agency itself, had legal obligations, including where to appropriate the duty to prevent the misuse of UNRWA facilities by terrorist operatives, which continued to endanger both UNRWA staff and innocent civilians.  Regarding the reference to the Geneva Conventions in resolution A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1, and the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel’s position was well known.  It had supported the resolution on the basis of that understanding.  The UNRWA was about humanitarian assistance, not political issues.

The representative of Peru said he had voted in favour of draft resolutions A/C.4./59/L.10, L.14/Rev.1 and L.15.  He expressed reservation, however, with the reference to resolution 194 (III), as it did not reflect the evolution of facts and the existence of other subsequent resolutions.  That reference would also seem to prejudge the negotiations.

Drafts on Special Committee on Israeli Practices

ORLANDO REQUEIJO GUAL (Cuba) introduced draft resolutions on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/C.4/58/L.17); on the applicability of the Geneva Convention (document A/C.4/58/L.18); on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1); on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (document A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1); and on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.2).  He made oral revisions to resolution A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1 and A/C.4/58/L.18.

He said preparation of the texts had been complex.  An attempt had been made to cover the interests of a large number of delegations participating in the Committee’s deliberations.  He noted that two delegations had called for votes on the draft resolutions even before they had been tabled.  He asked delegations to vote in favour of the five drafts, as a demonstration of broad support for the Palestinian people and the Arab people in the occupied Territories.  He wished the day was near when the draft should not have to be introduced; first, Israeli occupation must end and the human rights of the Palestinian people must be respected, including the right to an independent Palestinian State.

Before action, it was announced that Guinea had become an additional co-sponsor of the draft resolutions A/C.4/58/L.17, L.18 and L.21, and that Mali had become a co-sponsor of draft resolutions A/C.4/58/L.17 and L.18.

The representative of Israel said he would vote against the draft resolutions regarding the Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices, which he said did little more than produce hostile propaganda against Israel financed by the United Nations.  He said the Special Committee did little to advance peace and reconciliation between the parties or to improve the situation of the Palestine refugees.  He said the Special Committee was irrelevant at best and counterproductive at worst; it should be promptly dismantled.  Israel urged other Member States who supported the peace and reconciliation process, as well as United Nations reform, to vote against these resolutions as well.

The Committee took up the text on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/C.4/58/L.17), approving that draft by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 7 against (Australia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, United States) with 73 abstentions (Annex VI).

Taking up draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.18, as orally revised, on the applicability of the Geneva Convention, the Committee approved the text by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 6 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia Nauru, Palau and the United States) with 7 abstentions (Cameroon, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Rwanda, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) (Annex VII).

It then took up an orally revised draft on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1), approving the text by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, and the United States) with 12 abstentions (Annex VIII).

Turning to the draft on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied Palestinian territories (document A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1), the Committee approved that text by recorded vote of 141 in favour to 7 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and the United States) with 19 abstentions (Annex IX).

Finally, the Committee approved, by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Nauru, Solomon Islands) with 11 abstentions, a text on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.21) (Annex X).

The representative of Canada, explaining his abstention on draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.17, on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices, said his country was concerned about the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike, but the draft contained several points that were not conducive to dialogue and peace.

He said Canada supported draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1 because of its long-standing opposition to the practices in question, and the useful additions made to the text regarding the implementation of the Road Map and the suicide attacks against Israeli civilians. 

The representative of Italy, speaking for the European Union, said he had the same difficulties as in previous years, on draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1 regarding Israeli settlements.  He had, therefore, abstained.  However, the European Union remained committed to a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East, and reaffirmed the call for an early implementation of the Road Map.  It also remained ready to assist both parties in finding a definitive solution to the conflict.

The representative of the United Kingdom said his country had abstained on draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1 because the dispute was between two parties, ignoring the suffering on one side was not a way to build trust.  The text of the draft resolution did not condemn the death, injury and destruction suffered by Israeli civilians.  It was, therefore, not helpful in resolving the dispute nor reflective of the situation on the ground. 

The representative of Uruguay said her country voted in favour of draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1 to support the basic idea that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories were illegal, and constituted an obstacle to peace.  Unfortunately, she added, additional paragraphs, which were included in the text, were not directly related to the Israeli settlements and diluted the force of the resolution’s demands and recommendations. 

The representative of Australia said he had supported A/C.4/L.18 on the applicability of the Geneva Convention but was concerned over references to the conference on the Fourth Geneva Convention.  Australia believed that the Israeli settlements were contrary to international law, but had abstained from supporting draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1 because it was unbalanced.  Australia, he added, understood Israel’s needs for security measures but Israel should not increase hardships on Palestinians.  Australia considered draft resolution A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1 to be unbalanced, and had, therefore, abstained. 

The representative of Syria thanked all the delegations that voted in favour of draft resolutions A/C.4/58/L.10 through L.21, in particular those who voted in favour of the resolutions regarding the occupied Syrian Golan.  Their broad support confirmed that Israel was isolated, and that the world had sent a new message to Israel that continuing the occupation was unacceptable.  The General Assembly, he added, had confirmed the importance of the Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices, and he called upon all delegations to support its work in the future. 

The Permanent Observer for Palestine said the resolutions regarding the work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) addressed all the important issues and retained the fundamental elements central to any consideration of the situation of Palestine refugees.  She said the Palestinian Observer never sought confrontation on these issues and reiterated that its position was to retain the necessary principles for safeguarding and supporting UNRWA’s work.

She expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by all parties to reach agreement and thanked all the delegations who voted in favour of the resolutions, as well as all of the co sponsors.  She said the plight of the Palestine refugees continued, while a solution remained elusive, which was why the work of UNRWA was of great importance. 

Turning to Israeli practices, she thanked the co-sponsors of the draft resolutions on this agenda item, as well as the delegates that supported these resolutions, and said that the human rights situation of the Palestine refugees continued to be a matter of great concern and that, as a result, the work of the Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices continued to be relevant. 

ANNEX I

Vote on assistance to Palestine Refugees

The draft resolution on assistance to Palestine refugees (document A/C.4/58/L.10) was approved by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 1 against, with 8 abstentions as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel.

Abstaining:  Cameroon, Federated States of Micronesia, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, United States.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX II

Vote on persons displaced by 1967 and later hostilities

The draft resolution on persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (document A/C.4/58/L.12) was approved by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 5 against with 6 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstaining:  Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

ANNEX III

Vote on operations of UNRWA

The drat resolution on operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (document A/C.4/58/L.14/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 5 against, with 11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstaining:  Cameroon, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nauru, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX IV

Vote on properties and revenues of Palestine refugees

The draft resolution on Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues (document A/C.4/58/L.15) was approved by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 5 against, with 9 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States.

Abstaining:  Cameroon, Fiji, Honduras, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX V

Vote on assistance to refugees, support for UNRWA

The draft on assistance to Palestine refugees and support for UNRWA (document A/C.4/58/L.9/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 109 in favour to none against, with 54 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Federated States of Micronesia, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela.

Against:  None.

Abstaining:  Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Monaco, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam.

ANNEX VI

Vote on work of Special Committee on Israeli practices

The draft resolution on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (document A/C.4/58/L.17) was approved by a recorded vote of 85 in favour to 7 against, with 73 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstaining:  Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX VII

Vote on applicability of Geneva Convention

The draft resolution on the applicability to the occupied Palestinian territory of the Geneva Convention on protection of civilians in times of war (document A/C.4/58/L.18) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to

6 against, with 7 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, United States.

Abstaining:  Cameroon, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX VIII

Vote on Israeli settlements in occupied territory

The draft resolution on Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.19/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to

7 against, with 12 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, United States.

Abstaining:  Australia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX IX

Vote on Israeli practices affecting human rights

The draft resolution on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory (document A/C.4/58/L.20/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to

7 against, with 19 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, United States.

Abstaining:  Albania, Australia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

ANNEX X

Vote on the occupied Syrian Golan

The draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan (document A/C.4/58/L.21) was approved by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to 3 against, with

11 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:  Israel, Nauru, Solomon Islands.

Abstaining:  Cameroon, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Honduras, Marshall Islands, Palau, Rwanda, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States, Vanuatu.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Monaco, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

* *** *

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*     Press Release GA/SPD/279 of 13 November should have indicated that it related to the Committee’s 23^rd meeting.  (The Committee’s 22nd meeting took place briefly on the morning of 13 November, with the decision that the Committee should hold its 23^rd meeting in the afternoon.)