Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
(As Delivered)
Statement by Mr. Yousef Zeidan, , Legal Adviser, before the Tenth Open
Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, 04 April 2014
Co-Chair,
At the outset, the State of Palestine reiterates its profound appreciation for the work done thus far
by you and your Co-Chair in this process formulating the sustainable development goals and
targets.
The State of Palestine appreciates the inclusion of “Peaceful Societies, Rule of Law and Capable
Institutions”, which are interlinked with every aspect of sustainable development, especially for
the State of Palestine as we are in situation of armed conflict, particularly a foreign military
occupation.
Palestine’s experience in sustainable development has been a long and arduous process in light
of the obstacles we face daily by the occupying Power and that experience exemplifies the
impossibility of achieving sustainable development without peace and respect for human rights,
particularly the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination, and the rule of law, particularly
international humanitarian law.
We ask the international community to join us on this path to end impunity for serious
international crimes as a target, so that all our societies can flourish peacefully and develop
sustainably through regional and international cooperation within the framework of clear and
effective institutions that work harmoniously and are able to deal with those who challenge the
law.
Targets should include achieving universality and compliance with a set a treaties by 2020,
2025 and 2030.
For our part, as you may know, just two days ago, the State of Palestine deposited twenty
instruments of accession to multilateral treaties amongst which are many human rights treaties.
We will continue to do our part to strengthen the pillars of our State institutions through these
treaties to uphold the law and aid our sustainable development efforts, despite the external
obstacles faced.
In the context of our deliberations on the SGDs, it should be no surprise that the State of
Palestine continues to call for the implementation of “The Future We Want” adopted at Rio +20
particularly paragraph 27 on foreign occupation. Thank You.
