Ref:
57/2011
On
26 September, 2011, Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human
Rights (PCHR) began his first mission to the United States in 11 years. On 26
September, Mr. Sourani participated at a conference at Columbia University in
New York. The conference, organised by Columbia Law School and the Centre for
Constitutional Rights, was entitled “International Justice in Practice: Challenges
in the Search for Accountability” and focused on universal jurisdiction. Mr.
Sourani participated in a panel comprising Maria LaHood, and Katie Gallagher of
CCR, and Colonel (Ret’d) Desmond Travers, who participated in the UN
Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. Mr. Sourani spoke of the urgent need
for accountability and the rule of law in the Gaza Strip and Palestine, and
detailed PCHR’s efforts to achieve accountability for victims.
Following
the conference, Mr. Sourani participated in “A Conversation with Raji Sourani”
hosted by Michael Ratner, President Emeritus of the Centre for Constitutional
Rights.
On
Tuesday, Mr. Sourani was interviewed on Democracy Now! where he discussed the
pursuit of accountability and the current session of the UN General Assembly.
Mr. Sourani then gave a talk at New York University (NYU), hosted by the
Kevorkian Centre. Mr. Sourani discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, and
highlighted all people’s fundamental right to the rule of law and justice.
Mr.
Sourani then gave a briefing at the United Nations entitled “Human Rights in
Palestine and the role of the 66th General Assembly.” This event was
co-sponsored by the NGO Working Group on Israel and Palestine, the Global
Policy Forum, and the US Federation for Middle East Peace.
On
Wednesday, 28 September, Mr. Sourani met a number of States representatives,
including France, the Netherlands, and Egypt, in order to discuss the
implementation of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict’s Report at
the current session of the General Assembly. Mr. Sourani also met with the
Assistant Secretary-General at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights.
Mr.
Sourani is accompanied to the US by Daragh Murray, PCHR International Legal
Officer, and Chantal Meloni, PCHR International Legal Unit. The International
Legal Unit conducted a number of other meetings focused on the progress of the
UN Fact-Finding Mission Report at the UN General Assembly, and also met
representatives of the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
