A/HRC/13/55 regular basis to review and plan activities and develop and endorse input into policymaking regarding MHPSS issues. 74. In paragraph 1975 (c) of its report, the Mission recommended that, “in view of their crucial function . . . donor countries/assistance providers should continue to support the work of Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations in documenting and publicly reporting on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and advising relevant authorities on their compliance with international law”. 75. In response to informal queries from the OHCHR field presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, neither Israeli nor Palestinian NGOs have reported any major changes in their funding as of the time of writing. 76. UNICEF chairs an inter-agency working group on grave violations against children that includes representatives of Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations. Through this working group, which carries out monitoring and reporting activities, UNICEF has, since the date of the Mission’s report, organized workshops in Gaza and the West Bank to strengthen local capacities to contribute to reports for the Security Council regarding the situation of children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 77. OHCHR continues to lead the Protection Cluster Working Group as well as the Accountability Task Force within it. Both include a number of Palestinian and Israeli NGOs and both were active throughout the 2009, as was the Displacement Working Group, led by OCHA. 78. In paragraph 1975 (d) of its report, the Mission recommended that “States involved in peace negotiations between Israel and representatives of the Palestinian people, especially the Quartet, should ensure that respect for the rule of law, international law and human rights assumes a central role in internationally sponsored peace initiatives”. 79. The High Commissioner for Human Rights sent a letter on 14 December 2009 to the Quartet Representative requesting information on the implementation of this recommendation, and has not received a response to date. 80. In paragraph 1975 (e) of its report, the Mission recommended that “in view of the allegations and reports about long-term environmental damage that may have been created by certain munitions or debris from munitions . . . a programme of environmental monitoring should take place under the auspices of the United Nations, for as long as deemed necessary. The programme should include the Gaza Strip and areas within southern Israel close to impact sites. The environmental monitoring programme should be in accordance with the recommendations of an independent body, and samples and analyses should be analysed by one or more independent expert institutions. Such recommendations, at least at the outset, should include measurement mechanisms which address the fears of the population of Gaza and southern Israel at this time and should at a minimum be in a position to determine the presences of heavy metals of all varieties, white phosphorous, tungsten micro-shrapnel and granules and such other chemicals as may be revealed by the investigation”. 81. On 14 December 2009, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) released a report entitled “Environmental assessment of the Gaza Strip: following the escalation of hostilities in December 2008-January 2009”. In that report, lack of safe drinking water and the prevalence of methemoglobinemia are identified as critical concerns, including in relation to blue baby syndrome. In this regard, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator has agreed to launch a detailed study on methemoglobinemia, and UNICEF will prepare a strategy note on providing safe water for all children in the Gaza Strip. The report stresses that the situation with respect to groundwater continues to deteriorate and 14

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents