Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan (and George Bush accepting it)
In late 2003, with the roadmap for peace stalled, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon announced his intention to unilaterally withdraw Israeli forces and to evacuate four Israeli settlements from Gaza and a small section of the northern West Bank (Samaria). This "strategic retreat" would allow Israel to conserve resources being wasted on the settlements, reduce friction with Palestinians, and reduce pressure on Israel to negotiate a settlement on unfavorable terms.
Two Sides to a Withdrawal
Mixed feelings in Gaza. The beginning of the pullout of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip presents two contrasting pictures of two very differently placed people. While the Israelis are looking at comfortable compensation packages, thousands of Palestinians face the threat of starvation as a result of the Israeli pullout.
Slicing off Gaza is just a diplomatic nose job
"Far from its portrayal as a traumatic operation of historic significance, the disengagement is in reality a superficial, cosmetic operation."
Israeli Occupation Forces Occupy Four Houses and Continue to Harass Residents of the Al Muwassi Area and Tighten the Closure of the Gaza Strip
As the Israelis withdraw from the Gaza Strip, the process of disengagement is becoming both the cause of and cover for continued violations of Palestinian human rights by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and settlers.
Settlers get generous golden farewell
As the hour of Israel's Gaza withdrawal plan arrives, the government agency created to administer the evacuation is giving one last big push to persuade Jewish settlers to leave quietly.
A Performance-based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty, and through Israel’s readiness to do what is necessary for a democratic Palestinian state to be established, and a clear, unambiguous acceptance by both parties of the goal of a negotiated settlement as described below.
Settlements to be Evacuated in the Gaza Strip
Source: Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights Israel’s announcement of its intention to unilaterally disengage from the Gaza Strip has stimulated debate about the details of the settlements to be evacuated. [...]
UN rights experts call on Israel to remove barrier on occupied Palestinian territory
A group of United Nations human rights experts today called on Israel to dismantle the barrier it is building in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and to make reparation for all damage caused, stressing that continued construction constitutes a violation of the country's human rights obligations.
Iran: UN steps up criticism of minority discrimination
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, Miloon Kothari spoke of his impressions following his visit to Iran, including the Ahwazi homeland in the province of Khuzestan. He identified three groups facing discrimination regarding housing and land rights in Iran: ethnic and religious minorities, Nomadic groups and women.
Iran confiscating minorities’ land says UN report
Iran is denying basic amenities to its ethnic and religious minorities and in some cases confiscating their land, a preliminary U.N. report said on Saturday. The report focused on accounts of discrimination in areas across the country's western borders, home to Arab and Kurdish minorities, where ethnic unrest has flared this week.
UN Expert on Housing Rights Concludes Visit to Iran
M. Kothari calls for increased focus on the housing rights of the ethnic and religious minorities and women's equal rights to land and housing
IRAN: Interview with Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing
Access to adequate housing in Iran is fraught with difficulties. Iran is riddled with earthquake fault lines and prone to severe droughts. The burgeoning population, coupled with massive population migration from rural to urban areas has resulted in a surge in demand for housing. M. Kothari spent 12 days in Iran and his mandate included the examination of issues related to the rights of ethnic minorities, women, property evictions and land tenure.