Madam President,
FIDH once again condemns the continued unwillingness of the international community to enforce accountability measures to adequately address Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and most especially its illegal settlement policy.
We welcome the February 2021 landmark decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in line with our observations filed in March 2020, stating that the Court has jurisdiction over Palestine, Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the ICC Prosecutor’s March 2021 statement confirming the opening of an investigation into international crimes committed in Palestine, as a step toward accountability. We condemn any attempt to interfere with the work and independence of the ICC and call on States Parties to provide the means for a full-fledged investigation and prosecutions of international crimes committed to take place.
Concerning accountability at the Human Rights Council, we expect Members States to vote responsibly and support the draft resolutions presented under Item 2 and item 7 on the situation. Voting in favor of the merger of two resolutions under item 2 is the minimum step Member States can take, and they need to do more at the HRC to put an end to impunity and support accountability processes. We condemn political statements and urge States to take a principled approach to Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
We also call on States to recognize Israel’s policies towards Palestinians as perpetuating and ensuring the supremacy of one group – Jews – over another – Palestinians, and as its related legal determination: a crime of apartheid.
Thank you.