NEW YORK: Kuwaiton Friday called for the immediate halt of Israel's illegal settlementactivities on occupied Palestinian land, saying these breaches of internationallaw were a 'huge obstacle' to the peace process. "Israel, an occupationalpower, continues its illegal settlement activities in full violation of itsobligations under Security Council resolutions and international conventionsand treaties," Kuwait's permanent UN representative Mansour Al-Otaibi toldthe Security Council.
"Israel'sestablishment of settlements in the Palestinian territories, occupied since1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes aflagrant violation under international law," he added. Ambassador Otaibiunderlined that these measures represent a 'huge obstacle' to the two-statesolution and attaining comprehensive and permanent peace. "We thereforecall upon Israel to cease immediately and completely all settlement activitieson occupied Palestinian land, to fully honor all of its legal obligations andto cease its forceful annexation policies," he said.
Ambassador Otaibioutlined the many violations Israel continues to commit, namely its siege onGaza, its targeting of Palestinian civilians, its disruption of Christian andMuslim religious sanctities and its initiation of measures and policies aimedat altering the holy city of Jerusalem's physical and demographic landscape."The international community cannot remain silent in light of thecontinuing crimes against the Palestinian people, under the siege ofIsrael," he said, calling for "action to safeguard our obligationsunder international humanitarian law, human rights law and the Fourth GenevaConvention."
He went on toreaffirm Kuwait's commitment to peace as a strategic option and resolution ofthe conflict in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiativeof 2002, which calls for a return of Arab territories occupied since 1967.
Central AfricanRepublic
Separately,Kuwait has welcomed President of Central African Republic Faustin-ArchangeTouadera's appointment of Muslim community members in government positions aswell as including them in decision-making. Addressing a Security Council'ssession on CAR, Otaibi praised Touadera's decision to appoint female ministersand his performing of Eid Al-Fitr prayers in a mosque in the capital city,Bangui, with Muslim worshippers. Otaibi urged all parties in CAR to contributeto spreading principles of peaceful co-existence and to refrain from speechesof hatred. He voiced relief for conciliation agreement signed between CARgovernment and 14 armed groups on February 6, which paved way for theirdialogue.
Otaibi welcomedCAR government's compliance with the peace agreement, including formation oftechnical committees in the country's provinces. He also welcomed CARgovernment's cooperation with regional and international organizations like theAfrican Union, European Union, and UN Multidimensional Integrated StabilizationMission in CAR (MINUSCA).
Otaibi, however,said violence against civilians in CAR posed a major challenge to thegovernment despite the peace agreement, like the attacks by armed groupsagainst MINUSCA and relief workers. He urged CAR government to hold thosecommitting violent actions accountable, while regretting the 'very critical'humanitarian situation in the African country. "The only way to end thecrisis in CAR is political dialogue between all parties," said Otaibi.
SustainableDevelopment Goals
In other news,Kuwait said Friday that reforming the security sector should take place in linewith goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which should includeall parties concerned in order to promote role of prevention. This came in aspeech by First Secretary Jawaher Al-Sabah before a meeting of a team,affiliated to the UN Security Council, tasked with exploring means to preventand solve conflicts in Africa. She said efforts by governments, UN and partiesconcerned should be joined by regional and sub-regional organizations in orderto reform security sector.
Sabah said acountry has a sovereign right to determine how to reform the security sector."Every country has its own nature and circumstances," she added. Anypeace and stability operation in a conflict zone should be comprehensive withthe objective of achieving sustainable peace coupled with national dialogue,respect of human rights and justice, she said.
Sabah saidweaknesses in some security sectors posed a threat to international peace andsecurity. "We look forward reforms carried out by the Secretary Generalhave positive impacts on reforming this sector," she added. Sabah noted UNSecurity Council resolutions 2157 and 2086 which showed the relation betweensecurity sector's reform and national property. - KUNA