The Covenant could soon be signed by President Abbas and 11 other treaties had been published in the official gazette. Palestine believed that incorporating the rights and freedoms inscribed in international human rights treaties into its policy and legislation was necessary.

The dialogue was taking place in a context of the continuing Israeli civilian and military occupation of Palestine, whose people were denied their basic human rights. Shalaldeh, Minister of Justice and head of the delegation, said the recent demolition of homes, and the killings and displacement of civilians in Jenin were crimes against humanity. What steps would the State party take to protect journalists and others who exercised freedom of expression through social media or otherwise, including those who criticised the Government? Speaking critically of the Government was a legitimate exercise of free speech.

One Committee Expert noted with concern reports that political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders who dissented from the Government were targeted based on their social media posts. Would it consider abolishing the death penalty altogether? What were its tenants, what was its status and was there a timeline for its implementation? Reportedly, the State party would rather regulate the death penalty than abolish it for lack of political will. The Human Rights Committee this morning concluded its consideration of the initial periodic report of the State of Palestine on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee Experts commending the creation of an observatory to combat gender-based violence, and raising issues concerning the death penalty and reported targeting of political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders who exercised freedom of expression.Ī Committee Expert said that the creation of the National Online Observatory of Gender-Based Violence was commendable.Īnother Expert asked about draft legislation concerning the death penalty.

State of survival code 2020