SR on Human Rights in Palestine

On 28 June 2012, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, warned that the number of people displaced by the demolition of Palestinian structures has increased by 87%, compared to 2010.

“Already this year, Israeli authorities have demolished over 330 Palestinian structures, including homes, animal shelters, water cisterns and roads,” the Special Rapporteur said in a news release.

He also repeatedly called for an end to Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories, particularly in the West Bank, stressing that, as the occupying power, Israel has a fundamental responsibility to protect the Palestinian civilian population under its control and to ensure their dignity and well-being.

Mr. Falk described the situation in the West Bank community of Susiya as “deeply troubling” where over 160 Palestinians, including 120 children, will be forcibly displaced if the demolition orders are executed by Israel. He also recalled that an appeal from an Israeli settler organization, Regavim, to the High Court had led to demolition orders against Palestinians in Susiya.

Download the Press Release

On 2 July 2012, the Special Rapporteur presented his report on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories to the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council.

The Special Rapporteur has relied on well-documented reports and data on various aspects of the occupation from generally reliable sources to identify trends in human rights issues, such as the expansion of settlements, settler violence and house demolitions. Additionally, a detailed report on the human rights situation in the Gaza strip and the impact of the blockade.

Mr. Falk, has noted, as with the previous reports, the continuing noncooperation of Israel with this mandate. He was appointed as the Special Rapporteur in 2008 and presented three reports from 2009 to 2011 on the human rights situation in occupied Palestine.

Download full report