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Parliamentary Assembly session : 22 -26 April 2002
 Parliamentary Assembly debates situation in the Middle East Strasbourg, 25.04.2002 - The Parliamentary Assembly today issued a stern warning to both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and reminded them of their responsibility to uphold fundamental human rights and respect international humanitarian law. The resolution, prepared by Mikhail Margelov (Russia, EDG) on behalf of the Political Affairs Committee, unreservedly condemns all acts of terrorism, in particular the suicide attacks by Palestinian extremists, and regrets the reluctance of Chairman Arafat to condemn them. It also expresses concern about acts of retaliation against Palestinians allegedly collaborating with Israel. The Assembly condemns the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the Israeli Army, the systematic destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority as well as the Israeli authorities' practice of liquidating alleged terrorists without trial. It supports the UN initiative to investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli forces under the conduct of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Palestinian territories, and in particular in the Jenin refugee camp. The Assembly reaffirms its support for all relevant UN Security Council resolutions concerning the Middle East and believes that a comprehensive settlement should include Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, the establishment of a Palestinian state, and guarantees of Israel's security and that of all the states and peoples in the region. Haïm Ramon, speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the Knesset, and Ziad Abu Zayyad, representing the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, also took part in the debate. The report can be consulted on the Parliamentary Assembly website: http://assembly.coe.int/. Information on the Assembly session is also available at: http://www.coe.int/PAsession. Contact: | ||