"The Road Map disregards Human Rights" by Aref Assaf, Daily Record , May
10, 03.
A closer reading of the "Road Map' to peace in the Middle East shows an almost
complete indifference to the humans rights aspect of any future settlement. A
press release issued by Human Rights Watch recently contained its evaluation of
the "roadmap" for peace. They note that the document is largely silent on the
issue of human rights, contains few recommendations and no enforcement
mechanisms for ensuring the basic rights of either Israeli or Palestinians. More
problematically still, the compliance of the Israeli government and the
Palestinian Authority with their absolute obligations under international human
rights law and treaties is being made conditional on the achievement of
political goals. In particular, population transfer (both forced deportation of
Palestinians and the construction of colonies for Jews), attacks on civilians
and destruction of Palestinian property are described as breaches of trust,
rather than violations of international law -- possibly war crimes or crimes
against humanity -- which are prohibited under all circumstances. In a press
release from today, Amnesty International criticizes a similar attempt by the
Israeli government to deny its obligations under international law: all foreign
nationals are now being refused entry to the occupied territories if they do not
sign a waiver absolving the Israeli army of any responsibility for their safety.
Since it is overwhelmingly the Israeli army who threaten the safety of such
nationals -- most recently murdering a British cameraman -- this would be
essentially a license to kill.
Aref Assaf
Denville , NJ
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