WCC NEWS: WCC delivers oral statement to Human Rights Council on inadequate access to coronavirus vaccines for Palestinians

In an oral statement delivered to the UN Human Rights Council, the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs expressed grave concern about inadequate COVID-19 vaccine access for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 18 March 2021 “In the Occupied Territories, there have been almost 210,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 2,200 deaths,” reads the statement. “The population density and high levels of poverty exacerbate infections despite the imposition of curfews and closures.” But ongoing military occupation has resulted in a situation in which the Palestinian authorities do not have adequate means to purchase and administer vaccines or to address the impact of COVID-19, the statement continues.  “Israel has committed to provide a total of 5,000 vaccine doses to the Palestinian Authority, and to vaccinate the estimated 100,000 Palestinians who work in Israel or in the settlements,” reads the statement. “But the disparity remains stark.” Under international humanitarian and human rights law, the responsibility for ensuring access to vaccines in occupied territory rests with the occupying power. "We therefore call on Israel to fulfil its obligations under international law and to ensure equitable access to coronavirus vaccines for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories,” concludes the statement. “We call again for an end to the occupation, and a just peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.” The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council is being held from 22 February through 23 March.    Link to the statement  Link to the UN HRC sessions Watch the live session here See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland