June 14, 2023
Sourani and Yunis Meet with High Commissioner, Special Rapporteur, and International Commission of Inquiry in Geneva
Sourani and Yunis Meet with High Commissioner, Special Rapporteur, and International Commission of Inquiry in Geneva

On Tuesday, 13 June 2023, Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and Mr. Essam Yunis, Director of al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights, met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, his deputy, Mrs. Nada Al-Nashif, and representatives of the UNHuman RightsRegional Office for theMiddle EastandNorth Africaat the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sourani and Yunis provided an overview of the deteriorating human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as Israel escalated its de facto and de jure annexation of Palestinian land, intensified its attacks against Palestinian civilian and civilian objects, and continued to deny Palestinians their right to self-determination.

Sourani and Younis communicated their concern regarding the statement issued by the High Commissioner concerning the events in Howara which took place in February 2023 and stressed on the need to avoid balanced language that equates between the victims and perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Furthermore, Sourani and Younis called on the Office of the High Commissioner to urgently update the list of companies operating in the illegal Israeli settlements as it constitutes an important accountability mechanism, and urge the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to expedite his investigation into the situation in Palestine.

In addition, they called on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to take a clear public stance along with the Secretary-General of the United Nations against the Israeli authorities’ decision to deny the foreign workers of the Office of the High Commissioner entry into the OPT. Sourani and Yunis explained that silent diplomacy has encouraged Israel to infringe on UN organizations with the aim of ceasing their operations.

Moreover, Sourani and Younis met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Ms. Francesca Albanese, and expressed their support for her position in facing the fierce campaign that she is subjected to by the Israeli government and organizations operating under its cover. They articulated their deep appreciation for her professional positions and hard work towards the Palestinian cause and provided her with an overview concerning recent developments in the OPT.

Sourani and Younis also met with the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel. They pointed out the important role of the Commission in investigating and highlighting the violations committed by the Israeli authorities. They updated the Commission on the recent Israeli military operation against the Strip, which resulted the killing of 33 Palestinians, including 15 civilians, and the wounding of more than 150 others and expressed their readiness to cooperate and assist the Committee concerning any of the files its investigating.

End..