Un Adopts Resolution To Bolster Presence İn Palestine

The UN Human Rights Council adopted on Friday a draft resolution on strengthening UN presence in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.



The Council requested "the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen the field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip."



It also requested the deployment of "personnel and expertise necessary to monitor and document the ongoing violations of international law" in the occupied lands.



The Council condemned "all violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law" and expressed concern over widespread destruction, death and human suffering in Palestine, including East Jerusalem.



It also decried the use of excessive force by Israel against civilians including children, journalists and health workers.



On the last day of the 40th session at UN Geneva Office, the Council discussed the resolution against Israel submitted by Bahrain, Bolivia, Cuba, Pakistan, Senegal, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Palestine.



The resolution was adopted with 23 in favor, eight against and 15 abstention votes.



The votes against the resolution were given by Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary and Ukraine. -