A Look at the Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian...

Resolution A/HRC/58/L.30/Rev.1 was presented and adopted during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, held from February 24 to April 4, 2025. It was submitted on April 1, 2025, by Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Eritrea, and Pakistan (representing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation members, except Albania). During the voting, only four countries—Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, and North Macedonia—opposed it. Twenty-seven countries, including all Muslim states as well as nations like Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, and Brazil, voted in favor. Sixteen countries, such as France, the Netherlands, and Japan, abstained. Paragraph 46 of the resolution (listed below as point 9) is particularly significant.

Key Points of the Resolution
1. Demand to End Israel’s Unlawful Presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory: The resolution calls on Israel, as the occupying power, to end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as soon as possible. It emphasizes that this presence is illegal, based on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 19, 2024.
2. Condemnation of the Gaza Blockade and Collective Punishment: The resolution demands an immediate end to the illegal blockade of Gaza and other forms of collective punishment by Israel. It condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war, restrictions on humanitarian access, and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
3. Concerns Over Human Rights Violations and War Crimes: The resolution highlights serious human rights violations, including possible war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the risk of genocide. It criticizes Israel’s use of sexual violence, destruction of hospitals, and targeting of civilians.
4. Emphasis on Accountability and Justice: The resolution stresses the need for accountability for breaches of international law, supports investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and urges states to cooperate with it.
5. Condemnation of Settlements and Racial Discrimination: The resolution considers the expansion of Israeli settlements, demolition of Palestinian homes, and discriminatory policies as violations of international law, calling for their cessation.
6. Call to Stop Arms Transfers to Israel: The resolution urges countries to halt the sale, transfer, or diversion of weapons and military equipment to Israel to prevent further violations of humanitarian law.
7. Situation of Palestinian Prisoners: The resolution criticizes the harsh conditions of Palestinian prisoners, including administrative detention, torture, and lack of medical care, and demands the immediate release of those held unlawfully.
8. Support for Humanitarian Organizations: The resolution underscores the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and calls on states to ensure its sustainable funding.
9. Call for an International Mechanism to Prosecute Crimes: The resolution invites the General Assembly to consider establishing a permanent, impartial, and independent international mechanism to assist in investigating and prosecuting individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel since 2014. This mechanism would work closely with the Commission of Inquiry to collect, consolidate, consolidate, preserve, and analyze evidence of violations of international law and human rights abuses. It would also prepare case files to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings in national, regional, or international courts or tribunals with current or future jurisdiction over these crimes, in line with international legal standards.