DATE=04/15/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/UN RIGHTS COMMISSION UPDATE (S)

NUMBER=2-288737

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES CR 2-288726 WITH REMARKS OF GERMAN AMBASSADOR -- NO OTHER CHANGES ///

INTRO: The United Nation's Human Rights Commission has condemned Israel for what it called "mass killings" of Palestinians and has demanded an end to its military incursion into Palestinian territory. Dale Gavlak has the story from the U-N headquarters in Geneva.

TEXT: The U-N's top human rights body approved a resolution (Monday, sponsored mainly by Arab and Muslim states, that denounced Israel for "gross violations" of human rights, including acts of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary detention and besieging of Palestinian towns.

The resolution, also supported by a number of European nations, reaffirmed what it termed the "legitmate right of the Palestinian people to resist."

The 53-member Human Rights Commission, which is holding its annual session, passed the motion, 40 votes to five, with seven abstentions. Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, and Britain voted against the resolution. Germany's ambassador Walter Lewalter expressed concern the measure might be interpreted as an endorsement of violence, adding it contains "no condemnation whatsoever of terrorism."

The United States is not a member of the Commission, having lost its seat last year. (signed)

NEB/DG/FC