A/HRC/RES/S-28/1
breach of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and poses a
threat to international peace and security,
Recognizing the importance of the right to life and the right to freedom of peaceful
assembly and association to the full enjoyment of all human rights,
1.
Condemns the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Israeli
occupying forces against Palestinian civilians, including in the context of peaceful protests,
particularly in the Gaza Strip, in violation of international humanitarian law, international
human rights law and relevant United Nations resolutions, and expresses its grief at the
extensive loss of life, including of children, women, health workers and journalists, and at
the high number of injuries;
2.
Calls for an immediate cessation of all attacks, incitement and violence
against civilians throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem;
3.
Calls upon all parties to ensure that future demonstrations remain peaceful
and to abstain from actions that could endanger the lives of civilians;
4.
Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately and fully end its
illegal closure of the occupied Gaza Strip, which amounts to collective punishment of the
Palestinian civilian population, including through the immediate, sustained and
unconditional opening of crossings to the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and
persons, especially those in need of urgent medical attention, to and from the Gaza Strip, in
compliance with its obligations under international humanitarian law;
5.
Decides to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of
inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate all
alleged violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and international human
rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in
the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military assaults on the large-scale civilian
protests that began on 30 March 2018, whether before, during or after; to establish the facts
and circumstances, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedure mandate
holders, of the alleged violations and abuses, including those that may amount to war
crimes; to identify those responsible; to make recommendations, in particular on
accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring
legal accountability, including individual criminal and command responsibility, for such
violations and abuses, and on protecting civilians against any further assaults; and to
present an oral update thereon to the Council at its thirty-ninth session and a final, written
report at its fortieth session;
6.
Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, and all relevant parties to cooperate
fully with the commission of inquiry and to facilitate its access, requests the cooperation, as
appropriate, of other relevant United Nations bodies with the commission of inquiry to
carry out its mission, and requests the assistance of the Secretary-General and the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard, including in the provision of
all administrative, technical and logistical assistance required to enable the commission of
inquiry and special procedure mandate holders to fulfil their mandates promptly and
efficiently;
7.
Decides to remain seized of the matter.
2nd meeting
18 May 2018
[Adopted by a recorded vote of 29 to 2, with 14 abstentions. The voting was as follows:
In favour:
Afghanistan, Angola, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Côte d’Ivoire,
Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan,
Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates,
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
2
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