GENEVA - The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today called on all States Parties to take concrete action following its conclusions in a case brought by the State of Palestine against Israel, and urged them to support the implementation of its recommendations, including through appropriate sanctions against individuals, groups or entities inciting segregation or racially motivated violence.
The call follows the publication of the Committee's conclusions by an independent ad hoc conciliation commission established under the inter-State procedure and which examined for the first time allegations of racial discrimination affecting Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The commission concluded that segregation between Jewish and non-Jewish communities, the expansion of settlements and outposts, restrictions on building permits, and home demolitions contribute to systemic discrimination against Palestinians and undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution.
The conclusions published in 2024 by the ad hoc conciliation commission are accompanied by a set of specific recommendations addressed to Israel, the State of Palestine and all States Parties, aimed at addressing the concerns identified and supporting steps toward compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
The Committee emphasized that addressing these recommendations require sustained engagement beyond the two parties in the case. All States Parties have obligations under the Convention to ensure that their policies, cooperation and assistance related to the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory do not enable or support discriminatory policies or practices. They are also called upon to use diplomatic, legal and other lawful means to promote compliance with international standards and help address the concerns identified
"The international community has a fundamental role to play in addressing racial discrimination. Where States knowingly tolerate racial discrimination by another State, in circumstances where they are obliged not to, they may themselves incur responsibility under international law," Chinsung Chung, Committee member, said.
The Committee called on States Parties to ensure that their resources are not used to support discriminatory policies or practices, and to take measures against incitement to segregation, hate speech and racially motivated violence, as part of their shared responsibility to eliminate racial discrimination.
"As ICERD marks its 60th anniversary, combating racial discrimination is more urgent than ever, particularly in situations of armed conflict, and it requires the full commitment of all States Parties," Chung added.
As part of this follow-up phase, the Committee will continue to seek information from States Parties and other relevant stakeholders on steps taken in response to the recommendations and to monitor their implementation.
