Ref: 11/2007

Date: 07 March  2007

Sourani Meets with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process

On Wednesday, 7 March 2007, Gaza – Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, met at PCHR’s office in Gaza City with Mr. Al Varo De Soto, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), and Mr. Robert Dan, Officer of Middle East Political Affairs.

Mr. Sourani welcomed Mr. De Soto and thanked him for maintaining contacts with civil society groups and human rights organizations. During the meeting, Mr. Sourani stressed that the past 6 months have been the worst since the begging of the Israeli occupation, as IOF have escalated human rights violations in an unprecedented manner since 25 June 2006. These violations have included willful and extra-judicial killing; incursions into Palestinian communities; destructions of houses, agricultural land and civilian infrastructure; and closure of border crossings as a means of economic stranglehold. Mr. Sourani also emphasized the need for providing international protection for the Palestinian people within the 4 June 2067 border in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention, especially as a strong international protection force was deployed at the Lebanese border in response to Israel’s demands.

Mr. Sourani also talked about the regrettable internal clashes, stressing that all civil society groups and human rights organizations support the Mecca Agreement between Hamas and Fatah movements. He further expressed his confidence that a new Palestinian government would be formed very soon, and considered that dialogue not fighting is the only way to solve political differences.

Mr. Sourani further expressed his concern over the role played by EU observers at Rafah International Crossing Point, as they do not ensure free travel for Palestinians through the crossing point. He asserted that the crossing point was closed for 9 months in only one year, which has marked the worst period with regard to the freedom of movement since the beginning of the Israeli occupation.

In the end, Mr. Sourani talked about the role of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and her visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

     The meeting was attended by Mr. Jaber Wishah, Deputy Director of PCHR, and Mr. Bassem al-Khaldi, Acting Director of United Nations Special Coordinator Office.