Statement by the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
44th Session of the Human Rights
Council
Item 7: ID with SR on Occupied Palestinian
Territory
16th July 2020
Madam President,
Sri Lanka takes note of the
report presented by Mr. Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.
Sri Lanka associates itself
with the statement delivered by Azerbaijan on behalf of the NAM.
We share the concerns raised
by the UN Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Special
Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices and the Special Rapporteur, on the planned
annexation by Israel which would constitute a grave breach of international
law, including the UN Charter, relevant Conventions as well as Security Council
and General Assembly resolutions.
Further, we note the concerns raised by
the Special Rapporteur that this annexation plan would potentially have
negative impacts on the human rights of Palestinians living in the occupied
West Bank and the Jordan Valleyand lead toforcible displacement of thousands of
Palestinians.
Madam President,
Sri Lanka has consistently
and steadfastly held the principled position of the legitimate and inalienable
right of the people of Palestine to statehood and to the natural resources in
their territory.
While recognizing the
legitimate and sensitive security concerns of both the Palestinian and the
Israeli peoples, Sri Lanka is of the view that the proposed annexation plan
will only contribute to further deepening the crisis and jeopardize hopes of
both the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples to achieve real progress towards
sustainable peace.
In the above context, Sri
Lanka joins the international community in its call on the Government of Israel
to comply with international law and abandon the planned annexation and urges
all parties to continue the dialogue towards peace.
In conclusion,
Sri Lanka reiterates the
importance of the early implementation of the UN General Assembly resolutions
regarding the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to statehood and the
attainment of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 borders.
Thank you.
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