Agenda Item 60: Permanent Sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources
Statement by Ms. Aishath Huma, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the
United Nations
United Nations, New York, 25 October 2016
Thank you Chairperson,
I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report submitted for consideration under this agenda item, which once again confirmed that the continued occupation, the excessive use of force, settlement expansion, property destruction and exploitation of natural resources, not only violates the rights of the population, but also exacerbates their social and economic conditions.
Mr Chairperson,
Time and time again, this committee, and indeed the United Nations system has reaffirmed that there cannot be development without peace, and no peace without development. There can be no development without the right over your land, over your natural resources. And this is why we continue to discuss the issue of permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestine, and in the Syrian Golan, over their natural resources.
The evidence presented in the report speaks for itself: segregation and discrimination remains rampant in allocation of water, provision of access to land, movement, and access to legal system, over 76,000 people remain displaced in the Gaza strip, as a result of 2014 offensive, the destruction of home and livelihood structures continue with more than 300 structures demolished in the first two months of 2016 alone. Land confiscation, inadequate basic services such as electricity, water, sanitation and hygiene, with the on-going blockade of Gaza Strip since 2007, are making conditions worse with every passing day.
Mr Chairperson,
Conditions in the occupied Palestine and the Syrian Golan cannot be improved without adherence to the principles of inadmissibility of acquiring land by force, and non-discrimination, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The Maldives in this regard, reiterates its strong and steadfast support for the rights of the Palestine, including the need for a two-state solution, as a fundamental step towards safeguarding the human rights of the Palestinian people and finally providing them with the right to self-determination.
This is the fiftieth year since the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories. We unequivocally condemn all practises and policies that involve violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The rule of law at the global level is the bedrock of international relations and the linchpin for sustaining peace and stability.
We read with concern the impact of these policies on the Palestinian people, society and economy. With these policies and practises, with its occupation, Israel has undermined the right of the Palestinian people to development, and self determination, and any prospects for peace. The lasting consequences of this occupation will undoubtedly be long-lasting. One thing is clear, occupation, violence, discrimination and hate, cannot lead to peace: it will only perpetuate violence, hate and extremism.
Mr Chairperson,
The lofty ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be realised by all, until we ensure the independence and sovereignty of all peoples under occupation. This is especially the case in the case of the Palestine, and the Syrian Golan.
It is in this context that the Maldives remains firm in its condemnation of the illegal actions and constant provocations and human rights violations by Israel. And it is for lasting peace and security, that the Maldives call on an end to this shameful occupation that continues to exist 7 decades after we reaffirmed our faith in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small, our united purpose to the principle of self-determination.
Thank you.
