Ref:22 /2010

On Wednesday afternoon, 23 February 2010, the Palestinian Center for
Human Rights (PCHR) received Ms. Maria Bjerbevi, Consul of Development
Cooperation in the Swedish Consulate-General in Jerusalem, in PCHR’s main
office in Gaza City. 

The visitor met with Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, in the presence
of Mr. Rami
Abu Sha’ban, PCHR’s Accountant. In the
meeting, Sourani surveyed the human rights situation in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the deterioration of
human rights because of the tightened siege and Israeli practices. 

Sourani further reiterated that the least year, which peaked with the
Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, had been the bloodiest since the beginning
of Israeli occupation, but, he stressed, the worst is yet to come in light of
the failure of international community to hold war criminal accountable. 

Sourani thanked the Swedish Consul for the continuous support for PCHR
and its work, and highly appreciated the Swedish Government’s support for the
Palestinian people and their just cause, as well as Sweden’s respect for human
rights. 

Additionally, Sourani addressed developments related to the Goldstone
Report, expressing PCHR’s concerns over the credibility and seriousness of
investigations conducted in response to its recommendations.  He urged the international community to act
against violations of human rights, and ensure the right to have access to
international justice mechanisms. He
emphasized that individual States must fulfill their legal obligations, and
seek to achieve accountability in all available means, including through the
principle of universal jurisdiction.