Today, 2 July, Al-Haq will present a joint oral statement on behalf of the Palestinian Council of Human Rights Organisations* (PCHRO) to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for its 20^th session during the General Debate on “Item 7: The Human Rights Situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.” The statement draws attention to Israel’s systematic and widespread policy of arbitrary arrest and detention of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and the international humanitarian law and human rights violations stemming from this illegal practice.

On 4 June, Al-Haq also submitted a joint written statement on behalf of the PCHRO to the UN Human Rights Council. The statement highlights the unremitting expansion of Israeli settlements in the OPT realised through appropriation of land and natural resources on one hand, and the creation of infrastructures for the sole benefit of settlers on the other. As a consequence of this well-established policy, Israel exercises sovereign powers over the OPT, prevents the Palestinian people from freely disposing of their natural resources, therefore, severely denying the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.

Once again, the Palestinian human rights organisations state that Israel violates its international obligations in relation to the occupied territory by encouraging the establishment and expansion of settlements in the OPT. Despite their illegal nature, settlements continue to flourish and largely benefit from economic relations with foreign countries, particularly in Europe.

In the joint statements the PCHRO urges:

• Member States of the UN to immediately adopt effective measures to halt settlement expansion;
• The UN Human Rights Council and its member States, to seize without further delay the opportunity provided by Resolution A/HRC/RES/19/17 of 10 April 2012 to establish a Fact-Finding Mission to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the OPT;
• The President of the Council to expedite the appointment of such a mission and urge all State parties, including Israel, to fully cooperate with this international mechanism.
• The UN Human Rights Council and its member States to pressure Israel to end its widespread illegal practice of internment, release all administrative detainees immediately and respect the rights of Palestinian prisoners.

-ENDS-

	Addameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Association Sahar Francis General Director			Aldameer Association for Human Rights Khalil Abu Shammala General Director
	Al-Haq Shawan Jabarin General Director			Al Mezan Center for Human Rights Issam Younis General Director
	Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights Najwa Darwish General Director			Defence for Children International Palestine Section Rifat Kassis General Director
	Ensan Center for Human Rights and Democracy Shawqi Issa General Director			Hurryyat - Centre for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights Helmi Al-araj General Director
	Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights Issam Aruri General Director			Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies Iyad Barghouti General Director
	Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling Maha Abu Dayyeh General Director