A/HRC/24/30 V. Enhancing Palestinian institutions and civil society actions in relation to human rights 58. In addition to monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, OHCHR continued to provide technical assistance to relevant Palestinian actors for the promotion and protection of human rights, including the Government of the State of Palestine, the Independent Commission for Human Rights and civil society actors. OHCHR also initiated a process of reaching out to community and religious leaders in Gaza, to engage in a dialogue on human rights and raise awareness of international standards. 59. OHCHR continued to support the Government, at its request, in preparing a Palestinian National Plan of Action for Human Rights, which will be an integral part of the Palestinian National Development Plan for 2014–2016. The development of the National Plan of Action, in consultation with Palestinian civil society, will provide concrete and specific targets for the State of Palestine’s ongoing efforts to improve its human rights performance in all areas of development. 60. The United Nations system in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is preparing its United Nations Development Assistance Framework for 2014–2016, which defines the ways and means to support national development priorities. The United Nations is committed to providing assistance to the State of Palestine that is grounded firmly in the international human rights framework. VI. Conclusion and recommendations 61. Serious violations of international law continue to be committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The general human rights situation remains of heightened concern and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The SecretaryGeneral is deeply concerned about the recurrence of violations already highlighted in several of his previous reports and those of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The majority of these violations could be avoided if the relevant dutybearers would take the necessary preventive and corrective actions as highlighted in the recommendations below. A. Recommendations to the Government of Israel 62. The Government of Israel is under an obligation to conduct investigations into all allegations of serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Investigations must be conducted independently, impartially, thoroughly, promptly and effectively. Transparency in investigations should also be ensured. Where appropriate, individuals who are allegedly responsible for violations should be prosecuted and victims should be provided with an effective remedy, including equal and effective access to justice and reparations. 63. The Government of Israel should review the methods and mechanisms used to enforce the access restricted areas (ARAs) in Gaza, in order to ensure full compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 64. Notwithstanding legitimate Israeli security concerns, the Government of Israel should fully lift the blockade of Gaza to remedy the ongoing punitive measures against the civilian population. All measures taken to address security concerns should 17

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