University of Minnesota


Israeli settlements in the occupied Arab Territories

C.H.R. res. 1997/3, ESCOR Supp. (No. 3) at 49, U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/1997/3 (1997)


The Commission on Human Rights,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and as elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable instruments,

Mindful that Israel is a party to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, which is applicable to Palestinian and all Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem,

Recalling its previous resolutions, most recently resolution 1996/4 of 11 April 1996, in which, inter alia, it reaffirmed the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories,

1. Welcomes

(a) The positive developments that originated with the International Peace Conference on the Middle East convened in Madrid on 30 October 1991, including in particular the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements signed in Washington by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on 13 September 1993 as well as the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip signed in Washington by the same parties on 28 September 1995;

(b) The recent step towards the further implementation of the relevant agreements, through the signing of the Protocol concerning the Redeployment in Hebron;

(c) The report (E/CN.4/1997/16) submitted by the Special Rapporteur pursuant to Commission resolution 1993/2 A of 19 February 1993;

2. Expresses its deep concern

(a) At the Israeli settlement activities, including the expansion of settlements, the installation of settlers in the occupied territories, the expropriation of land, the demolition of houses, the confiscation of property, the expulsion of local residents and the construction of bypass roads, which change the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, since they are illegal, constitute a violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and are a major obstacle to peace;

(b) At and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism, whilst calling upon all parties not to allow any acts of terrorism to affect the ongoing peace process negatively;

3. Calls upon the Government of Israel

(a) To comply fully with the provisions of previous Commission resolutions on the subject, most recently resolution 1996/4 of 11 April 1996;

(b) To cease completely its policy of expanding the settlements and related activities in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem;

(c) To forgo and prevent any new installation of settlers in the occupied territories;

(d) To address the question of the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories during the negotiations on the final status of the territories, which are due to resume within two months after implementation of the Protocol concerning the Redeployment in Hebron.

26th meeting
26 March 1997

[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 47 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions. See chap. IV.]


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