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Monday, January 12, 2009
18:21 Mecca time, 15:21 GMT
News Middle East
UN watchdog condemns war on Gaza
The UN rights body adopted a resolution condemning Israel of 'massive violations' [AFP]

A resolution condemning Israel's military offensive in Gaza has been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

The non-binding resolution said the assault, which has now entered its third week and killed more than 900 Palestinians, had "resulted in massive violations of human rights of the Palestinian people".

It also called for an international mission to be sent immediately to the besieged Gaza Strip to investigate Israel's actions.

The resolution called for an immediate end to the firing of rockets from the Palestinian factions into Israel.

Israel dismissed the resolution as one-sided.

Fewer states than expected supported Monday's resolution, which passed by 33 votes to one, with 13 abstentions.

The UN rights body, meeting in Geneva, accused Israel of systematically destroying the Palestinian infrastructure and of targeting civilians as well as medical facilities.

'Massive violations'

All European Union countries abstained and Canada voted against the resolution.

At least 4,000 Palestinians have been wounded since Israel launched its offensive on December 27 after a ceasefire with Hamas, which rules the territory, ended on December 19.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Al Jazeera: "In the end they [the UN] passed the resolution, it was not unanimous. I would not say it was that heated, at the end of the day there were still differences of opinion.

"Many states praised the Palestinian delegation for the flexibility they had shown in the negotiations, but they could not quite reach a consensus," he said.

 Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
 
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Feedback Number of comments : 10
 
BrianBadour
Canada
12/01/2009
Israel violates Human Rights of innocents.
As a global citizen and a resident of Canada , I am both ashamed and embarrassed by the position taken by the government of Canada . The continueing massacre of innocent children in Gaza , (the worlds largest prison) , is well beyond shocking . For this government here , or any government around the world to support this systematic slaughter by the Israeli military is telling of how little hope there is in all of our futures .

Victor
United States
12/01/2009
Worthless
The UN can pass all the resolutions, send all the investigators, make all the speeches, and condemn the actions of both sides. In the end, if it does not stop the fighting, it is worthless. Ineffective if both sides does not recognize the authority of the UN.

Otis
United Kingdom
12/01/2009
Ignore the UN
When resolutions are so one sided that they are foolish as this one was, it can easily be dismissed as the biased ramblings of the ignorant. Better to introduce legitimate impartial resolutions that would be more acceptable to all and in that way actually get some attention.

American lady
United States
12/01/2009
Hamas human rights violations
Hamas uses civilians to protect fighters and weapons. They consider the civilians as martyrs if the civilians die. Then they use the deaths as propaganda against Israel. This is the true violation of human rights.

John
Canada
12/01/2009
Canadian complicity
I am embrassed and disgusted at Canada being the only nation to vote against the resolution. The present gouvernment in Ottawa does not represent the majority of Canadians on this issue. Canada has a reputation for being a neutral country. The Harper gouvernment is taking orders from Washington and is complicit in this crime.

Truthman
Canada
12/01/2009
Voted against
Please allow me as a Canadian to appologize to the world for our county's vote against the resolution. Our puppet regime had no other choice as we are not yet a real country.

Roland Turk
United States
12/01/2009
Hamas
Who is complaining and protesting Hamas for bombarding Israel with thousands of missiles for the past number of months and for stationing their rockets in Hospitals, kindergartens and mosques? What a travesty! Complain about Israel and not complain about Hamas and their desire to destroy the State of Israel while using civilian population and the world's media as cover. Shame, shame, shame

Jim Bui
United Kingdom
12/01/2009
UN watchdog condemns war on Gaza
Diplomacy via the UN is pointless - theres obviously one rule for Israel/US and another for the rest of us. This is why the opinion on the streets of most countries is that the only way to end the genocide being commited by Israel is through resistance - its the only language they understand. If you do take the Israeli stand on why this current genocide is justified (there have been plenty others) - then, when the tables are turned - do not condemn any indiscriminate action taken by others.

American lady
United States
12/01/2009
Hamas human rights violations
Hamas uses civilians to protect fighters and weapons The civilians run to the line of fire. Then Hamas uses the deaths as propaganda against Israel. This is the true violation of human rights. This is their tactic. Use of human shields.

DrZiggy
United States
13/01/2009
UN watchdog condemns war on Gaza
Are most Americans ignorant of the history of the middle east and the present conflict? It seems so judging by the comments entered herein... What is going on is not just retaliation by rather an act of aggression and terrorism by Israel. For those of you that don't know what the word terrorism means, look it up...). As a Canadian I'm also ashamed (but not surprised) by the position taken by the Canadian government. We Canadians have become lackeys of America.

 
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