A/HRC/28/78
that, since 2009, more than 1 million Euros worth of its humanitarian aid objects and
projects had been subjected to Israeli stop-work, demolition or seizure orders, reportedly
affecting 230 shelters, three schools and more than 135 water and sanitation structures.
70.
The demolitions and evictions have a significant impact on the lives of Palestinian
families and their children, as frequent displacement disrupts livelihoods and reduces the
standard of living, with limited opportunities for access to basic services. The effect of
displacement on children has been particularly disruptive owing to frequent changes of
school and unsettling changes to their daily lives, resulting in symptoms including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and poor academic achievement.
71.
International law prohibits the mass forcible transfer or forced eviction in an
occupied territory except under exceptional circumstances. Israel, as the occupying Power,
has the obligation to protect the civilian population in the occupied territory, and to
administer it for the benefit of that population. It is certainly not compatible with the
destruction and confiscation of private property, including homes, livelihood structures and
water and sanitation facilities, which deprive the Palestinian population of their basic social
and economic rights.
72.
On 14 October 2014, the Special Rapporteur, together with the Special Rapporteur
on the right to adequate housing, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, the
Special Rapporteur on the right to food and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues
addressed a joint urgent appeal to the Government of Israel regarding the alleged plans to
forcibly transfer the Bedouin communities. The mandate holders reminded Israel of its
human rights obligations and requested an explanation of the plans and the steps taken by
the Government to ensure that the areas affected by the relocation plans would not be slated
for settlement expansion or construction of the wall. They also requested information of the
mechanisms used to ensure adequate, informed and genuine participation by the Bedouin
communities and their representatives in the discussions and the decision on the three
“townships” planned by the Israeli Civil Administration. As at 15 December 2014, no
response had been received.
VI. Concluding remarks
73.
The Special Rapporteur’s observations and interactions with victims and witnesses
living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the several months since assuming his
mandate suggest that the protection that international humanitarian law and international
human rights law should be providing for civilians, including children, across the Occupied
Palestinian Territory is distressingly absent. It is especially deplorable that Palestinian
children are suffering the brunt of occupation policies and practices of Israel, whether as a
result of the blockade and hostilities in Gaza, the excessive use of force by Israeli security
forces in the context of legitimate protests and peaceful demonstrations, as well as search
operations in the refugee camps, and abuse and ill-treatment in Israeli prisons. Voices from
across the Occupied Palestinian Territory called in unison for accountability, an end to the
blockade and an end to the occupation. If another round of deadly violence is to be avoided,
the underlying problems perpetuating the conflict and the almost daily violation of the
human rights of the Palestinian people must be addressed and those responsible brought to
justice.
VII. Recommendations
74.
With regard to the situation in Gaza, the Special Rapporteur recommends that
the Government of Israel:
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