LOC21:24
18:24 GMT
BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament (EP) delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council on Thursday welcomed the recent decision of Palestine to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"Recognising ICC jurisdiction for crimes committed by any party in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem is a significant step to fight impunity. It is good news for the international rule of law which has always been a major EU policy goal including in promoting the setting up of the ICC," said Martina Anderson, Chair of the Delegation.
The Irish MEP noted in a statement that the EP, in its resolution of 17 December 2014, supported in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood.
"Hence the Delegation considers Palestine's accession to the ICC as a legitimate move and strongly condemns all forms of announced and enacted sanctions inflicting collective punishment to the Palestinian population," said the statement.
"Israel must fulfill its obligations under the Paris Protocol and resume without further delay the transfer of taxes collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
"Worsening the precarious situation of the Palestinian people and undermining the Palestinian Authority politically is not conductive to achieving peace," it added. (end)
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