Israel vs Human Rights Watch: Unanswered Questions

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen
Welcome to SOSconflict

Today I would like to address an article published on February 22nd by Human Rights Watch. I would like to set the outline of today's report with an introduction, body, and ending with food for thought.

As a preface to this segment regarding Unanswered Questions I would like to brief everyone on a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly entitled: Human Rights Defenders Declaration. This declaration is a universally-accepted and internationally-protected code to which all nations can subscribe and to which all people can aspire.

To avoid any confusion as to whether or not the government en question subscribes publically to this doctrine: I would like to inform you that on May 11, 1949* Israel became a member state of the United Nations.

According to the United Nations Charter, Chapter 2, Article 4:[2]*

Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.

Now back to the declaration...

Article six of the Human Rights Defenders Declaration*, in clear language, declares that all people have the right to know, seek, obtain and hold information about all human rights and fundamental freedoms. This freedom includes the right to publish and disseminate information for others to see in order to draw public attention to those matters.

This article goes on to emphasize that everyone has the right to be protected in the event of the violation of those rights. Human Rights Watch* (HRW) is one of the world's independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights.

If they act on the predisposition of exposing human rights violations and/or reporting on the integrity of upholding those rights, why, then, was HRW's application denied for entry into Gaza 20 days after the unilateral ceasefires in the Israel-Palestine conflict?

Ladies and Gentlemen on February 9, two and a half weeks after the unilateral ceasefires in the Israel-Palestine conflict, Human Rights Watch reported that they were denied entry into Gaza by the Israeli Defense Force--an army with no civilian jurisdiction within Israel--on the basis that HRW was not registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

And I quote verbatim: "On all previous occasions, including several times in 2008, Israeli authorities permitted Human Rights Watch staff to enter and leave Gaza. The IDF never previously suggested such a requirement for access to Gaza, and Human Rights Watch is not aware of any such Israeli law or regulation. The IDF has not responded to Human Rights Watch's requests for clarification."

According to an IDF website this defense military has, since its founding, strived to be a "unique army specific to Israel's requirements."* Does Israel require the right to make up laws as they see fit or as they see convenient to cover up their operations?

This denial of entry came after HRW prominently exposed Israel's unlawful use of white phosphorus (WP) on civilian populations.* Though this report does not wish to address the fact of the use of WP, it beckons the question: Could Israel have been hiding something else, in addition to this unlawful use of chemical weaponry?

If readers are confused or have questions, please check my sources as I have listed them all for your benefit.

Thank you all and Have a great day!

Israel member state into the UN: http://www.un.org/members/list.shtml
UN Charter Ch 2, Art 4: http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/chapter2.shtml
Art 6 HRD Declaration: http://www.defenderstakethefloor.org/human-rights-defenders-declaration.html
Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/en/about
Human Rights Watch Original Article: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/02/21/israel-end-ban-human-rights-monitors
HRW and UN expose use of chemical warfare: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7831424.stm; http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/01/10/israel-stop-unlawful-use-white-phosphorus-gaza
Amnesty International reports use of WP: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israeli-armys-use-white-phosphorus-gaza-clear-undeniable-20090119
IDF: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces

Testing

Monday March 2, 2009

This Post is a test and will be deleted.

Thank you all.