Statement by the OIC Red Network: The recent violence and violations in and around Al-Quds

Wednesday, 12 May 2021
Istanbul

We, the OIC Red Network, are gravely concerned about the brutal killing of over 48 innocent civilians, injury of over 500 people and the health status of those in critical conditions in the hospitals due to the recent upsurge of violence in Al-Quds in recent days, the worst in years.

We remind that the Occupying Power and its law enforcement authorities have outright responsibility to maintain public order and security in the occupied territories, and that their responsibility certainly includes protecting the civilians resorting to their religious right to prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan.

Recognizing the rights of civilians as protected people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, we call on the Occupying Power to immediately end using excessive power that endangers the lives of unarmed civilians under their protection as required by International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.

Underlining that the forced evictions of Palestinians in Al-Quds and the confiscation of their private properties by the Israeli Authorities violate International Humanitarian Law. We request the Occupying Power to end this violence, the displacement of Palestinians and return their confiscated properties to them as soon as possible. 

We call on the Occupying Power to take all measures to facilitate the medical transportation hospitalization and treatment of those injured. We also demand the Occupying Power to take all measures to protect the staff, volunteers, ambulances and equipment of the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Strongly stressing that it is the International Community's collective responsibility to ensure the compliance of the Occupying Power and all other conflicting parties with the binding rules of International Humanitarian Law, we appeal to the International Community to urgently take necessary steps to preserve the rights of protected persons in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We, the OIC Red Network reaffirm our solidarity with and firm support to the Palestinian Red Crescent in its brave and tireless effort in saving and protecting human lives.