DHAKA, Dec 1, 2018 (BSS) – Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to the
inalienable rights of the people of Palestine, saying that it supports the
rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and their long
struggle for peace and justice.
“Our unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and their
legitimate aspiration for an independent State of Palestine, on the basis of
the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, is derived from our
constitutional obligation,” said Bangladesh deputy permanent representative
to the United Nations (UN) Tareq Md Ariful Islam.
He said speaking at a programme organized by UN General Assembly at its
headquarters in New York on the auspicious occasion of ‘International Day of
Solidarity with the Palestinian People’, said a media release received here
today.
Tareq Md Ariful Islam said Bangladesh supports the rights of the
Palestinian people to self-determination and their long struggle for peace
and justice.
Bangladesh condemns the heinous attacks on the people of Palestine, and
denounces the illegal settlements, including the expansion plans, and any
other action by the occupying force, that obstructs negotiations towards a
viable two-State solution, he added.
“The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
remains a grave concern for the world community. Foreign occupation that has
subjected the Palestinian people to gross and systematic human rights
violations and untold pain and suffering remains one of the root causes of
conflicts and other scourges around the world,” he added.
Bangladesh has urged nations concerned to prevail upon Israel to
immediately halt its illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, lift the blockade in the Gaza Strip, and put an end to all forms
of occupation and violence.
“We remain concerned over the total disregard by Israel to comply with the
provisions of the Security Council Resolution 2234 (2016). Immediate priority
must be given to ensuring international protection for the Palestinian people
suffering for decades from the occupying power’s policy of collective
punishment,” he said.
Bangladesh continues to insist on lifting of the illegal Israeli blockade
of the Gaza Strip, which has created a dire humanitarian situation, he said,
adding that provocative policies and legal measures concerning the Occupied
East Jerusalem and the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque must be reversed in deference to
relevant UN Resolutions and international public opinion.
“We reiterate this Assembly’s assertion that any decisions and actions
which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic
composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and
void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the
Security Council,” he added.
“We reaffirm the need for ensuring enhanced, predictable and sustainable
funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
We call upon Member States in a position to do so to enable UNRWA to
discharge its mandate in a meaningful manner, he said.
He said Bangladesh believes that for achieving a lasting peace for the
people and the state of Palestine, timely implementation of the relevant UN
resolutions, the Road Map, the Arab Peace Plan and the efforts made by the
Quartet is of paramount importance.
“We urge all concerned to be pragmatic in their approach and walk
together, hand-in-hand, for the establishment of an independent homeland for
the Palestinian people where they can live in peace and in dignity side by
side with their neighbours,” he added.