Ref: 23/2009
Date: 29 June 2009
PCHR Meets with the Dutch Minister for Development Coordination of the Netherlands’ Foreign Ministry
This morning, 29 June 2009, Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), met with Mr. Bert Koenders, Minister for Development Coordination of the Netherlands’ Foreign Ministry, and a number of staff members of Mr. Koenders’ office. Mr. Eyad al-Sarraj, Director of Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, and Mr. ‘Issam Younis, Director of al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, also participated in the meeting.
Sourani talked about the deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. He reiterated that this deterioration has distracted attention from necessary priorities. He explained that Palestinians have been driven to the extent that they are demanding rights that are ensured by international standards for all the human beings, including the right to life, the right to health and the right to freedom of movement. Sourani stressed that conditions lived by Gaza civilians are painful and unbearable at the humanitarian level, because of human rights violations, including imposed sanctions, perpetrated against the civilian population. He said that these conditions again raise questions regarding the position of Europe and the Barcelona Declaration’s State Parties. He wondered if talks are ongoing about the application of rule of law for masters, and excluding Slaves.
Sourani said that the conditions in the Gaza Strip are the same although five months have passed after the unilateral ceasefire declared by Israel, adding that destruction and rubbles continued to exist throughout the Gaza Strip. He stressed that although the siege imposed on Gaza is illegal and has destructive impacts on various aspects of civilians’ life, this siege continues to be imposed. He demanded Europe to review its position towards Israeli crimes, including the imposition of the siege and the restricted movement of persons and goods to and from the Gaza Strip, that have been committed against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
Further, in his speech, Sourani reiterated what PCHR repeatedly declared in relation to PCHR’s assessment for 2008-2009, emphasizing that since the Palestinian Nakba of 1948 (the uprooting of the Palestinian people from their land), the current year has been the worst with regard to human rights violations committed against Palestinian civilians by the Palestinian and Israeli sides. He talked about the Palestinian internal fragmentation and its consequences. He also talked about escalating Israeli violations of human rights, including the imposition of the siege, willful killings, settlement, creation of Jewish majority in Jerusalem, ethnic cleansing, arrests, extra-judicial executions, etc.
Sourani mentioned the role of Europe with regard to the Palestinian internal situation. He added that Hamas is a part of the Palestinian political spectrum and it was elected by the Palestinian people in free and fair elections. He affirmed that it is important that Europe supports the internal Palestinian dialogue and the realization of reconciliation, and exerts pressure to put an end to the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. He said that conditions in the Gaza Strip have reached levels that urgently require the intervention of the international community to ensure the reconstruction of Gaza and to put an end to the illegal siege.
Sourani concluded by appreciating the role plaid by UNRWA, especially its Commissioner- General, Karin Abu Zayed, and Director of Operations, John Ging. He said UNRWA plays a wonderful role, and that UNRWA’s voice in the area of human rights is much louder than that of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. Sourani also appreciated the role played by Oxfam-Novib, a Dutch partner organization that supports the work of Palestinian human rights organizations. He explained that the role of Oxfam-Novib is not limited to funding, rather, they also adopt all positions of partner Palestinian human rights organizations.
