The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) reviewed during its Sixth Regular Session the situation in Palestine and issued the following statement: According to OIC, The Commission recalls its statement of 11 August 2014, and is appalled by the tragic loss of lives of innocent civilians, the vast devastation in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing Israeli violations in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Commission reiterates that the continuation of the Israeli Occupation represents a violation of both International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. It is in fact the root cause of all escalations and ongoing human rights violations of the Palestinian People. The Commission therefore calls for concerted international efforts to pave the way to a peaceful political settlement to end this grave situation and the ongoing injustice against the Palestinian People, hence enabling them to achieve their long awaited legitimate aspiration of exercising their right to self-determination and to establish their own independent, viable and contiguous state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Commission emphasizes that indiscriminate and massive killing and displacement of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians are not merely statistics, and their systematic nature and magnitude cannot be justified on any ground. The lives of all individuals are of equal value, regardless of race, sex or religion, and should be treated as such. The Commission reminds that any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property is prohibited, according to Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also underscores that Palestinian civilians are protected persons under the Convention. Guaranteeing their general welfare is the duty of the Occupying Power, which is also obliged not to subject them to forcible transfers or deportations. Collective punishment is not only prohibited, but also considered a blatant war crime, by the Second and Fourth Geneva Conventions. The international community is called upon to uphold its shared responsibility in maintain International Law, and is thus urged to ensure that Israel, as the Occupying Power, fully adheres to and meets these obligations. --More 15:34 LOCAL TIME 12:34 GMT تغريد
