Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Jakarta, 19 October 2000
N° 6

The 561 parliamentarians from 107 countries meeting in Jakarta until 20 October for the 104th IPU Conference adopted today by 987 votes in favour, 61 against and 131 abstentions a resolution that "welcomes and supports the intentions announced in the 17 October meeting in Sharm el Sheik to establish an international commission of inquiry, with the support of the United Nations, for a speedy and objective inquiry into the tragic events of the past few days with the aim of preventing their recurrence".

This resolution is based on a joint proposal made by Algeria, Indonesia and Morocco, entitled "Bringing an end to the tension and violence in the Middle East, protecting civilians in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention, and action to save the peace process in accordance with the relevant United Nations Resolutions" that was added on the Conference's agenda as an emergency supplementary item.

In the resolution, the Conference "deeply deplores the tragic events that have taken place in the Palestinian territories which have led to an alarming upsurge in the Arab-Israeli conflict since the provocative visit of Mr Ariel Sharon to Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem on 28 September 2000".

It also "condemns all acts of provocation that threaten the peace process and international efforts to establish a just and comprehensive peace", and "denounces the acts of violence committed in the occupied territories by the Israeli military forces and their excessive use of force which have already resulted in over 120 deaths and more than 4,000 casualties, mostly among the Palestinians and including innocent civilians".

It calls upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority henceforth to prevent any acts of violence.

The Conference also urges Israel (which did not send a delegation to the 104th Conference in Jakarta) "to fulfil its commitment to cease all military actions, to lift the blockade of the Palestinian territories and to restore the situation which existed prior to the current crisis".

Finally, the Conference "welcomes the encouraging results of the Sharm el-Sheik talks as an important step towards ending violence and resuming the political dialogue and calls on both sides sincerely to fulfil their commitments".

The IPU, founded in 1889 and based in Geneva, currently has 140 member parliaments affiliated and 5 regional parliamentary organisations associated. It also has a Liaison Office with the UN in New York.