12/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Euromed Human Rights Network (EMHRN) has just published a report on the “human rights situation in the occupied territories”. The main finding is that Israel is refusing to meet its commitments. The EU is being called on to take this into account when it evaluates the “action plan” for neighbourhood policy with Israel. The Euromed Network illustrates how the ban on people travelling between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is resulting in fatalities, and frustration at being trapped between the separation wall and the green line, for the Palestinian people and the Arab minority living in Israel. These people are seeing a tragic situation getting worse every day. The report, commissioned by a coalition of Dutch NGOs (UCP, HOM and NJCM) tends to suggest that human rights violations are multiplying but without the authorities assuming responsibility for their actions. The EMHRN asserts that “Israel is violating humanitarian laws, as well as its own commitments”. The report indicates that Israel ratified the 4th Geneva Convention and that the association agreement with the EU signed in June 2000 puts respect for human rights at the heart of relations between the two parties. The EU is being called on to take action to get these commitments respected. (fb)