22nd plenary meeting

4 May 1982

Situation of women and children in the occupied Arab territories

The Economic and Social Council,

Deeply concerned about the prevailing conditions of the Palestinian people, particularly the women and children,

Noting the great sacrifices of the Palestinian women and children in pursuit of their inalienable right to have their own homeland,

Considering that international co-operation and peace are threatened by colonialism, neo-colonialism, fascism, zionism, apartheid and foreign occupation, alien domination and racial discrimination in all its forms,

Affirming its full solidarity with the Palestinian women in their struggle for independence under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization,

Expressing its grave concern that the Palestinian women and people continue to be denied their inalienable rights, in particular their right to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced and uprooted, the right to self-determination and the right to national independence and sovereignty,

Recognizing that the mass uprooting from their homeland obstructs the participation and integration of women in efforts to achieve progress,

l. Appeals to all women of the world to proclaim their solidarity with and support for the Palestinian women and people in their drive to put an end to the flagrant violation by Israel of fundamental human rights in the occupied territories;

2. Also appeals to all States and international organizations to extend all moral and material assistance to the Palestinian and Arab women and people in their struggle for the restoration of their inalienable right to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced and uprooted;

3. Further appeals to all women of the world to take the necessary measures to secure the release of thousands of persons, including women and children, fighters for the cause of self-determination, liberation and independence, held arbitrarily in the prisons of the occupying forces;

4. Requests the United Nations and its organs and specialized agencies, as well as all national, regional and international women's organizations, to extend their help, both moral and material, to the Palestinian women and their organizations and institutes.