UNITED NATIONS
Security Council
Algeria, Colombia, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Nepal,
Senegal and Yugoslavia: draft resolution
S/20463
17 February 1989
The Security Council,
Having considered the letter dated 8 February 1989 from the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations, in his capacity as Chairman of the Arab Group for the month of February (S/20454), and the letter dated 7 February 1989 from the Alternate Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations (S/20451).
Bearing in mind the inalienable rights of all peoples recognized by the Charter of the United Nations and proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Gravely concerned over the increasing suffering and continued violation of the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem,
Gravely concerned in particular over the imposition of new measures by Israel, the occupying Power, which have led to increased injuries and deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians, including children,
Considering that the current policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power, in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, are bound to have grave consequences for the endeavours to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,
Recalling the obligation of the high contracting parties under article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances,
Conscious of the need to end the Israeli occupation and to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East,
1. Strongly deplores Israel's persistent policies and practices against the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, especially the violation of human rights, and in particular the opening of fire that has resulted in injuries and deaths of Palestinian civilians, including children;
2. Strongly deplores also the continuing disregard by Israel, the occupying Power, of the relevant decisions of the Security Council;
3. Confirms once more that the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war of 12 August 1949 is applicable to the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories;
4. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, as well as to comply with its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention and to desist forthwith from its policies and practices that are in violation of the provisions of the Convention;
5. Calls furthermore for the exercise of maximum restraint to contribute towards the establishment of peace;
6. Affirms the urgent need to achieve, under the auspices of the United Nations, a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict, an integral part of which is the Palestinian problem, and expresses its determination to work towards that end:
7. Requests the Secretary-General to follow the implementation of this resolution, including examining the situation in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, by all means available to him and to report to the Security Council:
8. Decides to keep the situation in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, under review.
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The Security Council on the 17 February 1989 voted on the draft resolution as follows:
In favour: Algeria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Malaysia, Nepal, Senegal, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia.
Against: United States of America.