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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 30/2005
Date: 01 February 2005
Time: 12:00 GMT
PCHR Expresses Solidarity with UNRWA Commissioner General Peter Hansen
On the day following that in which a demonstration was held outside the offices of UNSCO in Gaza City, to protest against the decision by the UN Secretary General not to re-appoint the Commissioner General of UNRWA to his post, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights wishes to express solidarity with Mr. Peter Hansen, who will be leaving his post after nine successful years.
The removal of Mr. Hansen from his job means that one of the most prominent defenders of the human rights of the Palestinian people, particularly refugees, is being removed from the region. PCHR believes that this change in personnel will mean that Palestinian refugees will loose one of their most outspoken voices for human rights and, significantly, a strong voice for the implementation of international humanitarian law in the OPT.
Throughout the course of his nine years in the post as Commissioner General of UNRWA Mr. Peter Hansen has managed an agency which has provided free education and health services for Palestinian refugees in the Gaza strip, the West Bank and in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. 3,874, 738 registered Palestinian refugees come under the direct care of Mr. Hansen and his staff.
Throughout the duration of his posting as Commissioner General of UNRWA Mr. Hansen has come under direct attack from the Israeli authorities for his public position on the Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, including the extensive house demolitions and excessive use of force committed by the Israeli military across the OPT. PCHR considers that these attacks were against UNRWA itself and against Mr. Hansen who admirably fulfilled the mandate accorded to him by the UNGA.
In 2004 Mr. Hansen came under repeated attack by the Israeli government, supported by the government of the USA, who claimed that his staff supported “terrorism” and that Ambulances belonging to UNRWA were being used to transport Qassam rockets. Mr. Hansen, who vigorously denied these claims, was finally proven correct on this, as on many other occasions. However the only apology he has received from the Israeli establishment has been attempts to remove him from his post.
It is clear that these attacks are motivated by the Israeli desire to see all criticism of the actions of their military muted. This is particularly the case when such criticism comes from a persona of such stature as Peter Hansen. During the summer of 2004, for example, Mr. Hansen was an outspoken critic of the massive destruction of lives and property caused by the Israeli attack on Rafah refugee camp. Such criticism, in favour of international law, has been a steadfast trademark of Mr. Hansen throughout his years of service to the Palestinian people. Unfortunately the many unjustified attacks against UNRWA, and against Mr. Hansen, from the Israelis, were also a hallmark of much of his time in office.
PCHR wishes to congratulate Mr. Hansen on his persistence and reliability on the question of human rights and international humanitarian law throughout his tenure in the OPT and wishes him the best in subsequent postings.
PCHR wishes to recall, at this opportunity, the importance of UNRWA as an organisation for the millions of Palestinian refugees both inside and outside of the OPT. However, the role of UNRWA, the alleviation of suffering, will not truly be at an end until this belligerent occupation of Palestine is brought to a conclusion.
“END”
Public Document
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