Developing countries back Palestinians on wall

19 Aug, 2004

The Non-Aligned Movement of developing countries has condemned Israel's "security wall", saying it infringes the rights of Palestinians.
In a document approved by senior officials, the movement called for the dismantling of the barrier in line with a decision of the International Court of Justice, which called the wall illegal and a negation of international law.
"Israel is in continued violation of international law, this is a flagrant human rights violation, and this is not acceptable," the document said.
The document was handed on Wednesday to the movement's Committee on Palestine, which is chaired by Malaysia and also includes, Algeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Benin, Chile, Pakistan, the Philippines and the Palestinians.
"The movement's condemnation of the wall and its demand that it be dismantled is taken after considering the Hague ruling," said a diplomat sitting on the Committee on Palestine.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Farouq Kaddoumi told reporters that the Palestinian state wanted the movement to seek international sanctions against Israel to pressure it to accept the decision of the court.
Kaddoumi appeared to be backed separately by Egypt, which said in a statement in Durban: "Egypt calls upon the United Nations...to consider what further action is required to end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall, taking into account the present advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice."
"Egypt calls upon the member states to ensure cessation of the construction of the wall and not to render any assistance to its construction nor recognise any situation created by or as a consequence of the construction," the statement said.
Foreign ministers of the 115-member movement are meeting in Durban.

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