ICC decision on jurisdiction over Palestinian territories lauded
Qatar welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the inclusion of the occupied Palestinian territories with its jurisdiction. This paves the way for an investigation into international crimes committed against Palestinians, and is a message to the perpetrators of these crimes that their actions will not be subject to statute of limitations, and provides hope to the victims in achieving justice and fairness, Qatar said.
Qatar’s reaction came in a statement delivered yesterday by HE Permanent Representative of Qatar in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, at the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue on the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on ensuring accountability and justice in all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Al Quds, under the second item on the council’s agenda.
Al-Mansouri said that they have reviewed the report of the High Commissioner, and strongly condemn Israel’s continuing violations and crimes against the Palestinian people including killing of civilians and children, and imposing the unjust siege and repeated aggression on the Gaza Strip.
He added that the international community has repeatedly emphasised that the Israeli settlements, the forced displacement of Palestinians, the destruction of their homes and the confiscation of their lands constitute a flagrant violation of the relevant international laws and conventions, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, and are considered a war crime under the 1998 Rome Statute. He stressed that the absence of accountability and independent and impartial investigations encouraged the Israeli military and political leaders to continue committing more systematic and gross violations, and to continue committing serious crimes against the Palestinian people.
Al-Mansouri called on the international community to take all necessary measures to end the Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab lands, protect the Palestinian people, ensure the restoration of all their legitimate rights, and ensure the establishment of an independent and viable state of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Al Quds as its capital.