STATEMENT BY MALAYSIA [2 minutes]
Delivered by the Permanent representative
21st Special Session of the Human Rights Council
Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem, 23 July 2014
Malaysia associates itself with the statements delivered by Pakistan and Iran, on behalf of the OIC and NAM, respectively.
2. Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing barbaric and military aggression by Israel on Gaza. Israel’s persistent in intensifying its military operations, despite numerous efforts by the international community to bring an end to the bloodshed, proves that this was done intentionally. Israel claimed that it is defending itself from terrorist attacks. However, it so-called self-defence had in fact killed thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians over the years. It is highly hypocritical of Israel to model itself as the victim when it is in fact the perpetrator.
3. The convening of this Special Session took longer than it should. The death toll has risen to more than 500, whilst thousand others are injured and displaced, especially women and children. Two weeks of Israel’s senseless and brutal aggression on Gaza has left the Palestinians in fragile and critical conditions. Hospitals, clinics, schools and mosques were destroyed. One could not help but ask if 47 years not long enough?
4. Israel must be held fully accountable. It should not be allowed to continue these barbarous acts of violence and terror against the Palestinian people with impunity. There should be no room for them for disrespecting the UN Charter, the Security Council, the GA and this Council’s resolutions. It is clearly under the illusion thinking that it is above the law and is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Malaysia therefore demands that Israel, immediately and fully halt its military assault on Gaza and end its illegal occupation on the Gaza strip, which is and has for a long time akin to a concentration camp for collective punishment against the Palestinians.
5. Lastly, we call for the Council to take serious and meaningful action on this issue. The outcome document should address the matter in hand and not to open doors for more political manoeuvring.
Thank you.
Geneva
23 July 2014
