Ref: 36/2006

Date:  11 July 2006

PCHR Holds Consultation Meeting with International Organizations Working in the Gaza Strip

PCHR organized a meeting with international organizations working in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, 11 July 2006. the meeting centered on the recent developments and the continued deterioration in the human rights and humanitarian situations.

The participants included Ms. Karen Abu Zayd, UNRWA Commissioner-General, the UNRWA Chief of Operations, and representatives from the UN Office for Coordinating Humanitarian Affairs, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, World Food Programme, and World Bank.

PCHR’s Director, Raji Sourani, started the meeting by welcoming the participants and stressing the importance of the meeting, which is part of periodic meetings the Centre holds with international organizations. He stated that this meeting coincides with the latest Israeli escalation and reprisals against civilians after the operation by the Palestinian resistance on 25 June 2006. Sourani added that the destruction of infrastructure (bridges and the power plant), closure, bombardment, sonic booms, and willful killing are a direct targeting of civilians.

Sourani criticized the weakness of international diplomacy in confronting the serious violations perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians.

During the 90-minute meeting, the participants discussed the catastrophic situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and exchanged information on plans and work mechanisms to confront the current crisis.