Brussels, 31/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 March, the EU and the Palestinian Authority (PA) began a two-day annual meeting for political dialogue on human rights in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza. Points on the agenda included a stock-taking of the implementation of objectives “determined in common”, the European delegation on the spot states. This meant looking at progress made in the freedom of the press, freedom of association, women's rights and the justice system, in particular with regard to illegal detentions.
The Palestinian side announced that, by this coming September, the legislation would develop towards abolition of the death penalty and closer follow-up of the laws and rules governing practices linked to respect of human rights, thus conveying the desire for stronger European assistance. The Palestinian representatives at the meeting drew attention to the need to work together to resolve two essential points that have an impact on the lives of citizens: - the rights of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prison camps and the need to restore freedom of movement between the West bank and Gaza under the Israeli blockade. The PA finally reiterated its full commitment to the full implementation of the Goldstone Commission report recommendations. Furthermore it called on the EU to engage in the UN General Assembly on the Goldstone report following the resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 25 March. (F.B./transl.jl)