VATICAN, Oct. 23, 00 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican's permanent observer at the United Nations has stated that the present crisis in the Middle East demonstrations that the violation of human rights "can lead into a cycle of violence which often becomes uncontrollable."
Bishop Giuseppe Bertello, speaking at a UN conference on human rights in Geneva, left no doubt that the Holy See was criticizing the Israeli government for its failure to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians. He deplored "the absence of respect for certain fundamental human rights, such as the right to have a state and an independent government, as well as the rights of security and free expression for one's own culture and history."
The Vatican representative recalled that when Pope John Paul II visited the Dheisheh refugee camp, near Bethlehem, during his March visit to the Holy Land, he had lamented the "degrading conditions" in which Palestinian refugees live.
"When people cannot enjoy their inalienable rights, there are always tense situations," Bishop Bertello said. "There can be no true and lasting peace unless it is based on international law, justice, and respect for the rights of all people."
Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
23. oktober 2000