LOC10:13
07:13 GMT
GENEVA, April 2 (KUNA) -- The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations International
Meeting on the Question of Palestine on April 3-4, 2012 at the United Nations
Offices in Geneva.
The theme of the meeting is "The question of Palestinian political
prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention facilities: legal and political
implications."
The meeting follows the event held in March 2011 at the United Nations
Office in Vienna on the same topic and aims at raising further awareness of
the situation of Palestinian political prisoners and mobilizing the
determination of the international community to bring this issue to a
solution, namely their speedy release and reintegration into the Palestinian
society.
The meeting will discuss legal and humanitarian aspects of the arrests and
detentions of Palestinians by the Occupying Power, and consider the status of
Palestinian prisoners in international law. It will also consider the issue of
Palestinian political prisoners in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian
political process and discuss ways of strengthening the role of the wider
international community, as well as non-governmental actors in promoting a
solution.
The Meeting is being organized in keeping with General Assembly resolutions
66/14 and 66/15 of November 30, 2011. Invited to the meeting will be
representatives of United Nations members and observers, other
intergovernmental organizations, United Nations system entities, members of
the academic community, representatives of civil society organizations, as
well as the media.
Statements are expected to be made by Deputy United Nations Special
Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and United Nations Resident and
Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Maxwell
Gaylard on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General; Chairman of the
Committee Abdou Salam Diallo; and Palestinian Minister for Prisoners' Affairs
Issa Qaraqe as the representative of Palestine.
Minister Qaraqe will also deliver the keynote presentation later in the
morning session.
The session will provide insight into the situation of imprisoned members
of vulnerable groups such as women, minors, and sick persons, and the urgency
of their protection; the need for international action regarding the illegal
incarceration of parliamentarians; and the issue of re-integration of the
Palestinian prisoners released in 2011.
Speakers include Legal Consultant at Defense for Children International
Khaled Quzmar; Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Shreem;
Deputy Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists Jan
Borgen; Director-General of the Rehabilitation Programme at the Palestinian
Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs Mohammad Albatta; and Psycho-Social Supervisor
of the Rehabilitation Programme at the Young Men's Christian Association Lama
Odeh Sharif.
During the meeting, experts and participants will discuss the status of
"prisoner of war" in international law and its application to Palestinian
political prisoners; the issue of political prisoners at the International
Court of Justice, including past precedents and options for the case of
Palestinian prisoners; UN procedures and mechanisms to address the issue of
political prisoners; the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and Treaty
Bodies; and available legal mechanisms to ensure compliance with international
humanitarian and human rights laws.(end)
ta.wsa
KUNA 021013 Apr 12NNNN