ISCI is a cross-disciplinary research centre working to further our understanding of state crime: organisational deviance violating human rights

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Conference: Final days of registration

*Registrations close on 28 August.

On the 11th and 12th September 2013 The Australian National University will host a groundbreaking conference on Palestinian human rights.The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories has impacted both the civil and political rights (CPR) and economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) of Palestinians. Yet in line with the broader marginalisation of ESCR within the international human rights field, very little of the literature on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories addresses issues specifically from the ESCR framework.

The impact of the occupation on Palestinian ESCRs has been considerable: including restrictions on movement (as a result of the ‘Security/Separation Wall’, checkpoints, curfews  and closure policies) and the resultant impact on the Rights to Education and Health; de-institutionalisation of the Palestinian economy; expropriation of Palestinian land and resources (including water); forced evictions and house demolitions; and destruction of land and property.

This conference will be a world first by bringing leading international experts together to discuss ESCRs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Over the two days, panels of these experts will address the following issues within the OPT:

  • The Right to Health (including access to adequate medical services and treatment)
  • The Right to Education
  • The Right to Adequate Water and Food Security
  • The Right to Adequate Housing (including issues around house demolitions)
  • The Right to Work

The conference will examine these issues through focusing on:

  • Human rights obligations enshrined in international law
  • Duty-holders of these obligations (including the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority)
  • Evidence of violations
  • Mechanisms for complaints and other forms of remedy for violations
  • Practical steps for implementing and monitoring ESCRs

Given the high profile speakers presenting, the conference will run as a single stream so that participants are able to attend all papers.

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