International Fact-Finding Mission on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory concludes work in Amman

AMMAN (9 NOVEMBER 2012) – The International Fact-Finding Mission on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory today concluded its work in Amman, Jordan.

The Mission spent one week listening to and collecting information from those affected by Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“We continue to regret that we were not granted access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel in order to carry out further work,” said Ms. Christine Chanet, chair of the Mission and from France.

Ms. Asma Jahangir from Pakistan and Ms. Unity Dow from Botswana are the two other appointed members of the Mission, which is mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The Mission met with people who presented their personal testimonies, Jordanian Foreign Ministry officials, Palestinian Authority officials, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies.

The Mission’s meetings included individuals and organisations working in and those based outside the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Mission also engaged with experienced interlocutors in Israel, including lawyers and journalists, on the implications of settlements on the human rights of the Palestinian people. The Mission has also received a large number of written submissions.

As work continues on the report, the Mission reiterates its call for engagement from all. As an independent body, the Mission is in a unique position to deal with all issues sensitively and impartially.

In its forthcoming report, the Mission expects to make recommendations that are concrete and provide a positive path forward for all.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

· The International Fact-Finding Mission: Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was established by Human Rights Council Resolution 19/17 on 22 March 2012.
· Through Resolution 19/17, entitled “Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan”, the HRC decided to “dispatch an independent international fact-finding mission, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
· For the full 19/17 Resolution text: http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/G12/130/13/PDF/G1213013.pdf?OpenElement
· For further information: http://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session19/israeli-settlements-in-the-opt
· All media enquires to: ffmsettlements@ohchr.org