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<h1 class="reader-title">Delaying Publication of the Settlement
Blacklist Exposes the UN’s False Narratives on Human Rights</h1>
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<p><strong>By <a
href="http://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/ramona-wadi"
title="Display all articles for Ramona Wadi">Ramona
Wadi - March 27, 2019<br>
</a></strong></p>
<p>The UN is openly flaunting its priorities and, sadly,
human rights are far from a major concern for the
international organization. Since its creation
post-World War Two, and having established itself as the
platform which determines what constitutes a human
rights violation and which countries can be considered
as perpetrators, several trends have emerged within the
UN which reduces the seriousness of people being
deprived of their legitimate rights.</p>
<p>This has been achieved by creating ample space for
reports on human rights violations to be disseminated
while refusing to insist upon accountability and
justice. Ironically, the increasing awareness regarding
human rights violations is actually creating widespread
impunity, as the UN promotes itself as a platform for
reporting about violations while intentionally failing
to take action.</p>
<p>Last month, for example, a UN report said that Israel
“may have” committed war crimes against Palestinians
participating in the Great March of Return
demonstrations; it was publicized heavily, despite a
predictable outcome. Israel will not be held accountable
and those celebrating the UN’s recognition of Israel
having possibly committed war crimes will not be
vindicated by a thorough follow-up and prosecution.</p>
<p>Another wave of silence will descend until the UN
issues another report that reaches the same conclusion.
We will never see an international court having the
opportunity to test the evidence from both sides to
judge whether “may have” is to become “has”, and
appropriate action is to be taken.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, it was revealed that UN Human Rights
Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has <a
href="https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Publication-of-UNHRC-black-list-on-West-Bank-settlements-delayed-582523"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">delayed</a> the
publication of a report exposing companies and
institutions that do business with Israeli settlements
due to “factual complexity”. According to Bachelet,
“Further consideration is necessary to fully respond to
the [human rights] council’s request.”</p>
<p>In response to Bachelet’s decision, PLO Committee
Member Hanan Ashrawi <a
href="http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=XezU1Oa108668302281aXezU1O"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The issue of corporate responsibility to respect
human rights is neither a novelty nor an anomaly in
the rules-based international system.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Publishing the UN blacklist of companies had already
been delayed by Bachelet’s predecessor in 2017. Israel
has lobbied extensively for the report to remain
unpublished, fearing the repercussions if firms listed
in the report were to be targeted by boycotts.</p>
<p>The <em>Times of Israel </em><a
href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-again-delays-blacklist-of-companies-doing-business-with-settlements/"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">described</a> the
report as “highly controversial”, yet neither Israel nor
its apologists deem colonialism and its nefarious
activities to be controversial, which is the least that
can be said about the shocking level of violence
unleashed by the Israelis on Palestine and the
Palestinians. The truth is that there is nothing at all
“controversial” about publishing a report detailing how
companies and colonialism thrive upon human rights
violations unless you have something to hide.</p>
<p>What is controversial, though, is Bachelet’s decision
to delay publication. The former President of Chile is
no stranger to controversy when it comes to her
country’s human rights record, despite her own suffering
at the hands of the Pinochet dictatorship. The
application of the anti-terror laws to the indigenous
Mapuche communities was most widespread during her two
terms of office. As UN High Commissioner, she also
failed to voice any substantive statement over the
murder of Mapuche youth Camilo Catrillanca, killed on
his own land by a special force known as the Comando
Jungla.</p>
<p>Israel might find it has an ally at the UN in Bachelet,
who is clearly no novice when it comes to the targeting
of indigenous populations. Her expression of “regret” at
Israel’s dismissal of the UN report documenting Israel’s
use of violence at the Great March of Return protests is
meaningless.</p>
<p>When it comes to human rights violations, rhetoric
stands alone, especially when it comes to premeditated
violence. There is no other institution like the UN that
can create a spectacle out of violence and human rights
rhetoric which fuels international attention, knowing
full well that any reactions — any expressions of
“regret” — will be temporary and have no effect.</p>
<p>The blacklist is another matter altogether. Bachelet is
contributing to the impunity desired by Israel in order
to retain its economic benefits from the occupation of
Palestine. Settlements and human rights violations are
an acceptable rhetorical subject, whereas settlements
and the profits for the state therefrom as collaborators
in violations are a red line for Israel and the UN.</p>
<p>By delaying publication of this report, Bachelet is
sending a clear message to the Palestinians: Israel and
its business links are to be protected at all costs,
even if that means sacrificing more of the indigenous
Palestinian population.</p>
<p><i><span>– Ramona Wadi is a staff writer for Middle
East Monitor, where this article was originally <a
href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190307-delaying-publication-of-the-settlement-blacklist-exposes-the-uns-false-narratives-on-human-rights/">published</a>.
She contributed this article to the Palestine
Chronicle.</span></i></p>
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