Ambassador  Dr. Hussein Abdel Khaleq Hassouna participated in the International Forum on “The Palestinian Issue and the International Law” organized by the United Nations in Amman”, on March 2016, in the presence of the legal advisors of the various ministries in the State of Palestine, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations and the Director of the Department of Palestine.

In his first speech before the forum on the Palestinian issue under international law, the ambassador affirmed that the UN recognition of Palestine as a state in 2012 is a preparation for international legitimacy and a victory for the Palestinians’ struggle for sovereignty, independence and freedom. He added that this development gave them the right to adhere to international treaties and conventions, as a modern democratic state. He then analyzed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people derived from the Charter of the United Nations and other international conventions, recognized in the resolutions of the international Organization over the years, the most important of which concerned the right to self-determination, the right to independence and sovereignty and the right of return or compensation.

He also discussed the historical development of the struggle of the Palestinian people for their legitimate rights since they sought independence under the British mandate until they were recognized by the United Nations as a state. He affirmed that this recognition confirms the applicability of the norms of the international law on the recognition of states and governments, which enables it to regulate its legal relations with international organizations and bodies, as well as to develop its domestic legislation in accordance with its international obligations.

In his second lecture to the Forum, he stressed that in the context of Palestine’s desire to accede to international treaties and agreements, the Palestinian Government must abide by the reference to international treaty law, in particular the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969, which contained the provisions on the conclusion, reservation, entry into force, modification, interpretation and termination of treaties on matters relating to the relationship of treaties to international law and the settlement of disputes.

He then referred to the provisions of the international conventions and conventions which the State of Palestine attaches special importance at this stage, such as human rights instruments, conventions on the law of the sea, environmental protection, women’s rights, the International Criminal Court, etc.

He concluded that the international law is the strongest support for the Palestinian people in their struggle to obtain their legitimate rights. He called on the legal advisers of the State of Palestine to come to Egypt to meet with legal officials and benefit from their experience in the international law.

The organizers of the Forum expressed their thanks to His Excellency for his participation in this training course for the staff of the State of Palestine and their appreciation for the content of his lectures and scientific interventions which influenced the debate on the international law issues of interest to the emerging State of Palestine.