RES/6/19 Religious and cultural rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

Human Rights Council

Resolution 6/19. Religious and cultural rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

The Human Rights Council,

Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights,

Recalling also article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which

stipulates that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in that

Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language,

religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other

status, and that no distinction should be made on the basis of the political,

jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person

belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other

limitation of sovereignty,

Aware of the responsibility of the international community to promote human

rights and ensure respect for international law,

Emphasizing the particularity of Occupied East Jerusalem in its rich religious

and cultural heritage,

Recalling relevant Security Council resolutions on Occupied East Jerusalem,

Affirming the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the

Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied

Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Deeply concerned at the Israeli actions undermining the sanctity and

inviolability of religious sites in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East

Jerusalem,

Deeply concerned also at the Israeli policy of closures and the severe

restrictions, including curfews and the permit regime, that continue to be imposed on

the movement of Palestinians and their free access to their holy sites, including Al

Aqsa Mosque,

1. Stresses that all policies and measures taken by Israel, the occupying

Power, to limit access of Palestinians to their holy sites, particularly in Occupied East

Jerusalem, on the basis of national origin, religion, birth, sex or any other status are in

violation of the provisions of the above-mentioned instruments and resolutions and

therefore must cease immediately;

2. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to respect the religious and

cultural rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the

Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to allow Palestinian

worshippers unfettered access to their religious sites;

3. Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the

Council at its next session on the implementation of the present resolution.

21st meeting 28 September 2007

[Adopted by a recorded vote of 31 to 1, with 15 abstentions

In favour: Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon,

Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua,

Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia,

Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Zambia.

Against: Canada.

Abstaining: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan,

Madagascar, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland,

Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.]

-----