[WCUSP] Fwd: Due by 20 Feb: WILPF statement on human rights in Palestine

Wed Feb 6 10:28:02 CST 2008

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Felicity Hill <felicity.hill at wilpf.ch>
Date: Feb 6, 2008 11:02 AM
Subject: Due by 20 Feb: WILPF statement on human rights in Palestine
To: Kirsty McKay <kirsty at wilpf.ch>, Middle_East at wilpf.ch

WILPF Middle East Committee
Hi All,

Thanks Kirsty for alerting the Committee so we can take up this
opportunity to get a statement by 20 February on human rights in
Palestine.

I'm very interested to hear what other Committee members think ----
Perhaps a basis for the Human Rights Council statement can be what we
developed for Annapolis?? emphasising and going more deeply into the
human rights aspects??

The convenor the Middle East Committee is currently in Palestine and
Israel and will return very soon.  Maybe fresh from this experience
she and the Sections will have some ideas about proceeding on this.

While the Gaza situation is extremely grave, and it is important to
act on it as the Human Rights Council is, and the US section has done
in this statement below, our Palestinian section has repeatedly
emphasised that the organisation should NOT reinforce the splitting of
Palestine into "good" West Bank and "bad" Gaza by talking about Gaza
in isolation, but continue to about the occupied Palestinian
terrorities as a whole.  I think this is worth emphasising as we go
into this drafting process - and a point we shoudl make front and
centre in our next statement!

Flick

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: C.J. Minster <cjminster at gmail.com>
Date: Feb 3, 2008 8:22 AM
Subject: Crisis in Gaza - a WILPF Declaration
To: National Middle East <wcusp at wilpf.org>, branches at wilpf.org, WILPF
Board <board at wilpf.org>, program at wilpf.org

The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, U.S. Section
(WILPF US), having considered reports of an escalating humanitarian
crisis in Gaza including Israel's continuing siege, deprivation,
bombardment, and military assault upon the citizens of Gaza resulting
in civilian deaths and countless injuries during the past months and
that indiscriminate random rocket attacks have been launched from Gaza
into Israel resulting in a number of injuries to Israeli citizens;

Taking note of statements by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
that "Gaza's border closures are without precedent," leaving
Palestinians "effectively incarcerated...without fuel and spare parts,
public health conditions are declining steeply as water and sanitation
services struggle to function. The electricity supply is sporadic,"

Recalling UNICEF's statement that…"the supply of safe water
to...Palestinians (is threatened)...hospitals are paralysed by power
failures and the shortage of fuel for generators...the possibility of
(hospital equipment) repair or maintenance (are limited) as spare
parts are not available...treatment (is) delayed or denied, worsening
medical conditions are causing preventable deaths,"

1. Welcomes efforts by the United Nations High Commission for Human
Rights (UNHCR) to call for a cease fire by all parties and an end to
the blockade and siege of Gaza and the resolution passed by the UN
Security Council on January 23, 2008 calling upon the international
community "to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to
the Palestinian people and to open the border crossings to facilitate
the passage of exports and imports to the Gaza Strip.";

2. Applauds the international NGO community for organizing a convoy
which will bring humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza this
week;

3. Calls upon the government of the United States to press Israel to
end its hostile armed assaults on Gaza and its life threatening
practices which prevent the people of Gaza from meeting their basic
human needs;

4. Calls upon those in Gaza who are responsible to cease rocket
attacks into Israeli territory.

The above statement was written by Joan Drake and initially adopted by
members at a regional gathering in Philadelphia on January 26, 2008.
Upon the recommendation of the Middle East Campaign leadership team,
it has been adopted by the U.S. Section.

----- Original message -----
From: Kirsty McKay <kirsty at wilpf.ch>
Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:59:04 +0100
Subject: 7th HRC Session 3 - 28 March
To: Middle_East at wilpf.ch

>WILPF Middle East Committee
>Greetings to all in the Middle East Committee,
>
>WILPF attended the 6th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on
the Human Rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank, signing on to a
statement given by International Youth and Student Movement for the UN
(ISMUN). See the statement here
http://www.wilpf.int.ch/statements/28jan08HRC.html
>
>"The Human Rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied
since 1967" will be discussed at the upcoming 7th Session of the Human
Rights Council, 3 - 28 March, 2008. We want to be sure that WILPF
issues a strong statement and encourage you to contribute. What
elements should be reflected? Is anyone willing to to the lead in
drafting such a statement? Here is a link to the outcomes of the
recent Special Session; perhaps this might be a good basis? (WIPLF's
report including the adopted resolution:
http://www.wilpf.int.ch/humanrights/HRUN/specialsessions6.htm )
>
>The deadline for the submission of any written statements to the HRC
Secretariat is Wednesday, 20 February. Please send the Geneva office
any contribution you may wish to make before 10 February.
>
>
>Kirsty Mckay
>
>Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
>1, rue de Varembe
>Case Postal 28
>1121 Geneva 20
>Switzerland
>
>
>If you would like to subscribe to this list, please send a message to:
>Middle_East-request at wilpf.ch  with only the word join in the message
body and a blank subject line.
>
>If you would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to:
>Middle_East-request at wilpf.ch with only the word leave in the message
body and a blank subject line.
>
>WILPF works on issues of peace, human rights and disarmament at the
local, national and international levels, participating in the ongoing
international debates on peace and security issues, conflict
prevention and resolution, on the elimination of all forms of
discrimination, and the promotion and protection of human rights. It
contributes to analysis of these issues, and through its many
activities, educates, informs and mobilizes women for action
everywhere.
>
>For more information, please see our websites:
>http://www.wilpf.int.ch
>http://www.PeaceWomen.org
>http://www.ReachingCriticalWill.org
>
>
>
If you would like to subscribe to this list, please send a message to:
Middle_East-request at wilpf.ch  with only the word join in the message
body and a blank subject line.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to:
Middle_East-request at wilpf.ch with only the word leave in the message
body and a blank subject line.

WILPF works on issues of peace, human rights and disarmament at the
local, national and international levels, participating in the ongoing
international debates on peace and security issues, conflict
prevention and resolution, on the elimination of all forms of
discrimination, and the promotion and protection of human rights. It
contributes to analysis of these issues, and through its many
activities, educates, informs and mobilizes women for action
everywhere.

For more information, please see our websites:
http://www.wilpf.int.ch
http://www.PeaceWomen.org
http://www.ReachingCriticalWill.org