The United Nations Register of Damage Caused by the Construction of the Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (UNRoD) is an instrument established by the United Nations to systematically document the individual and collective losses suffered by Palestinians as a result of the construction, extension, and operation of the separation barrier—commonly referred to as “the Wall”— in the occupied West Bank.
Origin and Mandate
- Establishment: The register was created in 2004 following a 2003 request by the United Nations Secretary‑General to promote transparency, accountability, and possible redress for damage linked to the barrier’s construction.
- Mandate: UNRoD’s primary purpose is to collect, verify, and store information on property loss, land expropriation, displacement, loss of livelihood, and related human‑rights impacts attributable to the barrier. The register is intended to serve as a factual basis for future legal, reparative, or compensation processes, and to inform United Nations bodies and the international community.
Administration
- Co‑ordination: The register is coordinated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
- Data Collection: Information is gathered through a combination of field investigations, satellite imagery, testimonies from affected individuals and families, reports from Palestinian non‑governmental organisations, and submissions by Israeli authorities where available.
- Verification: Submitted claims undergo a verification process that includes cross‑checking with land‑registry records, aerial and satellite data, and on‑the‑ground inspections. Only claims that can be reasonably linked to the barrier’s construction or operation are entered into the register.
Scope of Documentation
The register records various categories of damage, including:
- Loss of Private Property: Homes, agricultural lands, water wells, orchards, and livestock.
- Expropriation of Public Assets: Schools, health facilities, roads, and utilities.
- Restrictions on Access: Loss of mobility affecting employment, education, health care, and trade.
- Environmental Harm: Soil degradation, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity directly tied to barrier construction.
- Cultural Heritage Damage: Destruction or restriction of access to sites of historical or religious significance.
Findings (as of the latest publicly available report, 2022)
- Number of Recorded Cases: Over 1,200 individual and communal claims have been formally documented.
- Geographical Distribution: The majority of cases are concentrated in the northern West Bank (e.g., Tubas, Tulkarm) and in areas adjacent to the barrier’s “security fence” in the south (e.g., near Hebron and Bethlehem).
- Estimated Economic Impact: Preliminary estimates suggest total material losses amounting to several hundred million United States dollars, with significant ancillary costs due to loss of livelihood and restricted movement.
- Human‑Rights Concerns: Documentation repeatedly notes violations of internationally recognised rights, including the right to private property (Article 17, ICCPR), the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 11, ICESCR), and protections afforded under the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the occupied population.
Legal and Political Context
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion (2004): The ICJ concluded that the construction of the barrier violates international law. While UNRoD does not itself adjudicate claims, its data is frequently cited in related legal discussions and diplomatic negotiations.
- Peace Process Implications: The register has been referenced in United Nations Security Council resolutions and in United Nations General Assembly debates concerning the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, underscoring the need for a negotiated solution that addresses property restitution or compensation.
Challenges and Limitations
- Access Restrictions: Security measures and periodic closures in the West Bank hinder on‑site verification and data collection.
- Political Sensitivity: The register’s findings are sometimes contested by Israeli authorities, who argue that security considerations justify certain expropriations; this leads to occasional disputes over the attribution of damage.
- Funding Constraints: The register relies on voluntary contributions from United Nations member states and donor agencies, which can affect the scale and continuity of field operations.
Current Status
- Ongoing Updates: UNRoD continues to accept new submissions and to revise existing entries as additional evidence becomes available.
- Integration with Other UN Mechanisms: The data is shared with the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other UN bodies engaged in monitoring the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- Future Outlook: The register is intended to remain an active repository until a comprehensive settlement—political or legal—addresses the restitution, compensation, or other remedial measures for the documented damages.
