A/HRC/13/54 advocate for gender equality in all social and economic areas, constitutes a tool in the fight to end violence against women and girls, promises accountability for violations of women’s rights, and provides for the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority to fulfil the principles and measures enshrined in the Convention.70 VII. Conclusions and recommendations 60. The human rights situation between 1 May 2009 and 3 February 2010 remained of serious concern. A wide range of serious human rights violations occurred with disturbing frequency. The most critical violations that took place included a lack of respect for the right to life; arbitrary detention; impediments to the right to freedom of religion; obstacles to the fulfilment of the right to health; restrictions on freedom of movement; torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; a lack of remedy and redress for abuses and violations; and violence against women and children, in both the public and private spheres. 61. The recommendations contained in reports by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in the OPT remain valid and need to be implemented as a matter of the highest urgency. 62. The blockade of Gaza results in grave and widespread human rights violations, including in relation to the fulfilment of the right to health and the right to adequate, safe drinking water. Furthermore, Israel’s blockade impedes the reconstruction or repair of thousands of homes destroyed or damaged during Operation Cast Lead, resulting in violations to the right to adequate housing. 63. Israel still has not fully complied with the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the wall. The continued expansion and establishment of settlements has further fragmented the West Bank. Notwithstanding a slight reduction in the number of Israeli checkpoints, severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians within the West Bank and between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, in particular due to permit requirements, negatively affect a wide range of human rights on a daily basis. The extent of the fragmentation of the West Bank and the increasing separation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank brings into question the ability of Palestinians to effectively exercise their right to self-determination. 64. The situation in and around Jerusalem is particularly insecure. A dramatic increase in the revocation of Jerusalem residency permits for Palestinians in East Jerusalem was noted over the past year. Many Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank were forcibly displaced, due to evictions and demolitions carried out by Israeli authorities. 65. Impunity for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law remains widespread, and needs to be addressed by all parties as a matter of the highest urgency. Investigations launched by the Government of Israel into alleged violations related to the military operations in Gaza of December 2008–January 2009 remain inadequate to provide effective remedies. While the processes put in place by responsible Palestinian authorities are recent and not much information is available, there is at this point no indication of credible investigations having taken place with regard to allegations of violations by Palestinian armed groups. 70 16 See joint statement by OHCHR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNRWA in the OPT on Human Rights Day, 9 December 2009. GE.10-12152