Ref: 11/2010

Khalil Shaheen, Director of the Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights Unit (ESCRU) at the Palestinian Centre for Human
Rights (PCHR), delivered a speech before members of the European Parliament in
a hearing held by the Parliament on 3 February 2010 in its headquarter in
Brussels. He discussed the developments
related to the implementations of the Goldstone report’s recommendations with
respect to investigations of war crimes perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces
during the latest Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

He also addressed human rights
conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in general, and in the Gaza
Strip in particular. Shaheen further talked about indicators relevant to the
continuous violation of economic, social, civil and political rights of
Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. He called upon the European Parliament to put an end to the impunity
enjoyed by Israeli forces for crimes perpetrated against Palestinian civilians
and property.

Shaheen’s visit to Brussels constituted
part of his participation in a workshop to be organized by Front Line, the international
foundation for the protection of human
rights defenders, in the coming few days.