Ref: 69/2012

On 16 July 2012, the Palestinian Centre for
Human Rights’ (PCHR) Director, Raji Sourani, met with the new Director of UNRWA
Operations in Gaza, Robert Turner.

The meeting addressed the situation of human
rights in the Gaza Strip, as well as developments in this area in view of
Israel’s continued violations resulting in the deterioration of human rights in
Gaza.

The meeting also addressed the closure imposed
by Israel on the Gaza Strip for the past 5 years and its resulting impact on
different aspects of economic and social life.  Mr. Sourani warned Mr. Turner of the dangers
of the institutionalization of the closure and the acceptance of the closure at
the international level, noting that this closure is a form of collective
punishment in violation of international law.

Mr. Sourani welcomed the new Director of UNRWA
Operations and expressed hopes that his term will witness more effective
efforts to confront the challenges that UNRWA and its operations face in
Gaza.  Mr. Sourani stressed that it is
important to maintain cooperation and coordination between PCHR and UNRWA.

It should be noted that Mr. Turner started his
work as the Director of UNRWA Operations last May succeeding Mr. John Ging.