A/HRC/35/19/Add.1
58.
Due to the insufficient easing of the import restrictions and its limited impact, the
scale of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the failure to lift the blockade, the
recommendation is assessed as “not implemented”.
59.
In 2009, multiple special procedures mandate-holders asked all parties to “Enable
the import of reconstruction materials needed to build or repair vital infrastructure and
housing, and facilitate the full reintegration in dignity and security of the recently displaced
(without prejudice to the right of return of Palestinian refugees).”77 The recommendation
addresses all parties; its implementation by the Israeli and Gaza authorities is separately
assessed.
60.
Israel’s failure to comply with the recommendations and enable the import of
sufficient reconstruction materials and its humanitarian impact has been illustrated in
previous paragraphs. OCHA has documented how the blockade continues to hinder
reconstruction and recovery efforts in Gaza: “[l]ongstanding access restrictions imposed by
Israel have undermined Gaza’s economy […] Restrictions on the import of goods treated by
Israel as “dual use” items have impacted on the quality of basic services and impede efforts
to address housing needs.”78
61.
OCHA documented that, beginning on 26 March 2017, Gaza authorities imposed
access restrictions which have exacerbated the humanitarian concerns and delayed
reconstruction efforts. Restrictions to the entry and exit of persons were established at the
Arba Arba checkpoint, which controls access to the Erez Crossing between Gaza and Israel,
further reducing the number of Palestinians in Gaza permitted to leave through Erez due to
restrictions by Israel, and delaying the implementation of large infrastructure projects due
to cancellation of visits by international consultants.79
62.
As a result of the difficulties affecting reconstruction, 75,000 persons displaced by
the 2014 escalation remain in this situation,80 preventing their “full reintegration in dignity
and security”. As the above information indicates that none of the parties has complied with
the recommendation, it has been determined as “not implemented”.
F.
Civil and political rights
63.
Fifty-eight recommendations (six per cent of the total) are related to other civil and
political rights, including 29 that refer to the freedoms of expression, assembly and
association. Among those 29, 17 are addressed to Palestinian authorities and 12 to Israel.
The following table provides an overview of the distribution of the issues covered by these
recommendations and the relevant percentages.
Table 8
Overview of recommendations related to other civil and political rights
Number of
recommendations
Percentage in this
thematic area
Percentage of all
recommendations
Freedom of expression,
assembly and association
34
58.6%
3.7%
Freedom of thought,
conscience and religion
10
17.2%
1.1%
Right to protection of
family
12
20.7%
1.3%
2
3.4%
0.2%
Palestinian political
unity
Total
77
58
A/HRC/10/22 105 para. 103(f).
See www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-strip-humanitarian-impact-blockade-november-2016.
79
See www.ochaopt.org/content/continuing-access-restrictions-de-facto-authorities-gaza-addhumanitarian-concerns.
80
See http://gaza.ochaopt.org/2016/04/gaza-internally-displaced-persons-april-2016/.
78
16
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