RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE MIDEAST

VATICAN CITY, APR 17, 2002 (VIS) - Msgr. Leo Boccardi, Holy See permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), addressed the 387th session of the Permanent Council, which took place in Vienna on April 11, on the dramatic evolution of events in the Holy Land.

A communique issued yesterday afternoon with Msgr. Boccardi's speech noted that Israel is one of the Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation of the OSCE. This same communique said that the Holy See's intervention attained broad adhesion from States participating in the conference.

Msgr. Boccardi reiterated "the Holy See's recently reconfirmed position, regarding the continuing conflict in the Holy Land. This position is articulated in the five following points:
1. Unequivocal condemnation of terrorism, from whatever side it may come.
2. Disapproval of the conditions of injustice and humiliation imposed on the Palestinian people, as well as reprisals and retaliation, which only make the sense of frustration and hatred grow.
3. Respect for the United Nations Resolutions by all sides.
4. Proportionality in the use of legitimate means of defense.
5. The duty for the parties in conflict to protect the Holy places, which are of the greatest importance to the three monotheistic religions and a patrimony of all of humanity.

He noted that "the Holy See is in close contact with, among others, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the religious communities of Bethlehem, and has conveyed to them the Holy Father's complete solidarity in this sorrowful moment."

The Holy See delegate stated that "Pope John Paul II has stressed that no political or religious leader can remain silent and inactive. Denunciation must be followed by practical acts of solidarity that will help everyone to rediscover mutual respect and return to frank negotiation."

He recalled the recent experience of religious leaders in Assisi and the "Commitment to Peace" that they signed, that was subsequently send to heads of States and Governments. "The Holy See hopes that the aforementioned initiatives will effectively encourage those who have the responsibility and the possibility to take the necessary action, however difficult it might be, to demand scrupulous respect for human rights and humanitarian law and to urge the parties in conflict towards agreements which are fair and honorable for everyone."

DELSS;MIDEAST;...;VIENNA; BOCCARDI;VIS;20020417;Word: 370;