UN Expert On Protecting Human Rights In War On Terrorism Invited To Visit Israel
New York, Dec 7 2006 11:00AM
An independent United Nations expert on safeguarding human rights while fighting terrorism is to <"http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/2BE4B7B08C8F7E67C125723D003F9788?opendocument">visit Israel at the invitation of its Government, possibly during the first half of next year.
“I want to thank the Government for its willingness to meet and discuss issues pertaining to my mandate,” the Special
Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Martin
Scheinin, said today after meeting senior Foreign Ministry officials in Jerusalem.
“The State of Israel has legitimate national security concerns and is often confronted with violent attacks, including
against civilians. Hence, I fully understand that it must be able to respond to terrorist acts. However, the
Government’s response, including the enactment and implementation of legislation, and actual practices, just be in
conformity with international law, in particular humanitarian and human rights law, he added.
Mr. Scheinin, who was in Israel to attend the Minerva Biennial Conference on Human Rights where he gave the keynote
address on Terrorism and Human Rights, said Israel must respect the distinction between military and civilian
objectives, the principle of proportionality and the duty to prevent and minimize civilian loss of life, injury and
damage to infrastructure.
In July, Mr. Scheinin noted that a newly adopted Israeli law on security offences contained some positive changes but
did not appear to provide all necessary procedural safeguards for those detained. For example, individuals can be
detained up to 96 hours before being brought before a judge, are not necessarily present in court when detention may be
extended, and there are restrictions on access to counsel during detention.
“These aspects of the law are, in my view, incompatible with international human rights law,” he said in today’s
statement. “I am mindful that States have a duty to protect their population and to take effective measures to combat
terrorism. However, sustainable results can only be achieved by promoting and protecting human rightsᾠwhile countering
terrorism. Otherwise there is no real security for the civilian population"
Special Rapporteurs are unpaid, independent experts who report to the <"http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil">UN Human Rights Council.
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