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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Ra'ad bin Zeid, on Monday, called for ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and putting an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.

In his maiden speech at the Human Rights Council 27th Session, Prince Zeid said: " The mandate of my Office encompasses all human rights, for all people. Its priorities span discrimination; the rule of law and ending impunity; poverty; violence; continuing efforts to improve international human rights mechanisms; and widening the democratic space." The prince cited the Israel-Palestine conflict as an example of the need to end persistent discrimination and impunity, with the recurring violence and destruction evident in the repetition of crises in Gaza.

Current and future generations of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have a right to live normal lives in dignity: without conflict, without a blockade, indeed without the wide range of daily human rights infringements that are generated by military occupation, illegal settlements, excessive use of force, home demolitions, and the Wall that continues to be constructed across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he added.

He stressed that the seven-year blockade must end, and there must be effective accountability for transgressions committed by all parties.

I trust that this Council's Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory will be able to acquit its task of creating clarity about facts with full engagement from both sides. It is also imperative that all parties to the conflict in Gaza fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, Prince Zeid asserted.

*Petra