Israel Hit in UN Rights Commission; Mrs. Hauser Raps Public Executions in Iraq

Israel came under heavy attack at the Human Rights Commission here for alleged violations of human rights in the occupied Arab territories. One of two draft resolutions sub- mitted was directed exclusively against Israel. The other called on all nations involved in the Middle East conflict to ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mrs. Rita Hauser, United States representative, was the only delegate who called attention to violations of human rights in any Middle East country apart from Israel when she deplored the hangings in Iraq While recognizing the right of any Government to administer justice to its nationals in accordance with its laws, Mrs. Hauser declared that it was impossible “to tolerate without comment the spectacle of mass public executions.” She asserted that as long as nations in that area remained hostile, there was no “real hope that the human dignity of all, whatever their religion or nationality, would be fully respected and preserved.”

Mrs. Aballahi Ould Dadah Turkia of Mauritania maintained that Iraq had the same right as any other state to try, sentence and execute persons accused of spying for the enemy. The Soviet delegate, Nicolai Tarasov, defended the Iraqi spy trials. He said persons who committed crimes of espionage against a state were an internal concern of that state. He said the Israeli delegate had been out of order in raising the subject of Iraq since the commission was considering violations of human rights in Israel-occupied territories.

The draft resolution aimed at Israel reaffirmed “the inalienable right of all inhabitants who have left since the outbreak of hostilities to return” and called on the Israel Government to take immediate steps to implement the UN resolutions to that effect. It also “deplored Israel’s continued violations of human rights in the occupied territories, particularly the acts of destroying the homes of Arab civilian population, the deportation of inhabitants and the resort to violence against inhabitants expressing their resentment of the occupation.”

Zeev Zeltner explained Israel’s policy in the occupied areas. He said that Palestinian refugees could have been settled in Iraq if there had not been obstacles “artificially created by the United Arab Republic.” Five non-governmental organizations with consultative status at the UN asked the Commission to call upon Mideast governments to facilitate emigration of Jews because of administrative and legislative measures taken against them. The statement said a number of governments had shown a willingness to consider admitting Jews. The plea was made by the International League for the Rights of Man; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations, which includes B’nai B’rith and the Board of Deputies of British Jews; the International Council of Jewish Women; and the World Jewish Congress.