Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Hussam Eddin Ala, said that the people of the Syrian Golan Heights continue to suffer from violations at the hands of the Israeli occupation, which demolishes property, seizes land, and steals water and natural resources to serve its colonialist projects.
In a statement delivered on Monday at the 36th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Ala said that the occupation is providing incentives for more Israelis to settle in the Golan.
At the same time, he said, Israel prevents Syrians from building on their lands, restricts their movements, prevents communication with families and the pursuit of education in Syrian universities, and deprives locals of a means to earn a living. He added that Israel also carries out arbitrary arrests for opposing the occupation and documenting its crimes.
The ambassador said that Israelis must be held to account for their violations, calling for U.N. agencies to monitor the conditions of the Syrians in the occupied Golan.
Ala also warned against the occupation’s decision to hold local elections in the occupied territories, labelling the move as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions which prevent Israel from imposing its laws and authority on the Golan.
He also condemned Israel's violations of human rights and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories, chiefly the public executions, arbitrary arrests, confiscation of lands and the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
