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“Restrictions on the work of Palestinian human rights defenders and civil society are leading to a position which creates further space for militarism and extremism” says Front Line, the International Foundation for the protection of human rights defenders, as the EU and Israel meet to discuss political dialogue and cooperation.
Further Information
Posted 19/10/2007 “As representatives of Israel and the EU meet in Brussels to discuss political dialogue and cooperation, the critical role of human rights defenders in working peacefully for real progress to deliver human rights for all the people of the OPT must be given urgent priority”, said Vincent Forest, Head of Front Line's EU Office in Brussels today (Monday).
The meeting of the sub-committee on political dialogue and co-operation between the EU and Israel, due to take place on 22 October 2007, constitutes a unique opportunity for the European Union to raise individual cases of human rights defenders at risk with the Israeli authorities. Front Line has drawn particular attention to the restrictions on the freedom of movement of human rights defenders in the Occupied Palestinian Territory imposed by the Israeli authorities.
Front Line is concerned about the continued severe restriction of movement placed on Palestinian human rights defenders. Human rights defenders seeking to protect and promote the human rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem have been subjected to escalating levels of obstruction in the course of their work in recent months.
Recent political developments inside the Gaza Strip and the reaction of the Israeli authorities have also further restricted the possibility of human rights defenders travelling freely. Front Line is concerned that these policies have escalated to a point, which constitutes collective punishment, forbidden under article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Human rights defenders are often restricted from meeting with other human rights defenders and meeting with international delegations.
As recently as 9 September 2007, Raji Sourani of the Palestinian commission for Human Rights was due to meet with Tony Blair, Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East, to discuss the situation in Gaza. The meeting was due to take place in Jerusalem. Tony Blair's office had initiated procedures in advance to secure the permit necessary for Raji Sourani to attend the meeting in Jerusalem. However, shortly before the meeting was due to take place he was informed that the permit had been refused. Raji Sourani reported that no explanation was provided for the decision.
Similarly, on 18 September 2007, Mona Shawa, Director of the Women Rights Unit at PCHR and Rami Abu Shaaban, PCHR's accountant were prevented from travelling to Jerusalem where they were due to meet with a representative of Kvinna Till Kvinna and Novib. On 26 September 2007, Rami Abu Shaaban and Mona Shawa were prevented from travelling to Jericho to participate in a workshop on gender issues organized by Danish Church Aid. They had valid permits for one month each but they were told to stay at Erez checkpoint for 6 hours. They were not provided with a reason and they were eventually told to return to Gaza.
“These restrictions not only prevent human rights defenders from carrying out their legitimate work but are leading to a position which creates further space for the facilitation of militarism and extremism” said Vincent Forest.
Front Line is calling on the EU to press for Israel to allows Human Rights Defenders to travel through Erez to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and, to open the Rafah Crossing; Gaza's only exit to the outside world. As a temporary measure, we call on the EU to urge Israel to ensure that Gazan Human Rights Defenders can, where necessary, travel through Erez onwards to Jordan for further international travel.
Recommendations to the EU in the context of the meeting of the sub-committee on political dialogue and co-operation with Israel:
1. Request that the Israeli authorities issue permits for human rights defenders to travel to events, including Raji Sourani and Jabbar Wishah from PCHR to attend the upcoming Front Line conference due to take place in Dublin from 22-24 November 2007.
2. Work with Israel to formulate a coherent, accessible and just system which facilitates human rights defenders in carrying out their work in accordance with their right to do so under appropriate international treaties, declarations and guidelines. This could include the development of a process for human rights defenders (HRDs), which facilitates and accelerates their ability to exercise their right to freedom of movement.
3. Request that the Israeli General Security Service (GSS) and the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Territories (COGAT) urgently include a criteria of ‘human rights defender’ in the process of determining those entitled to apply for travel permits.
4. Develop a coherent strategy for the strengthening of the position of Palestinian and Israeli HRDs. Part of that strategy must ensure that the EU uses its influence and facilities to ensure that all HRDs are able to travel freely without being subject to movement restrictions. The strategy must also acknowledge and provide concrete remedies for the elimination of all other restrictions and forms of harassment faced by HRDs.
5. Acknowledge and encourage the key role HRDs play in the development of a democratic Palestinian society and the contribution both Israeli and Palestinian HRDs continue to make in the process towards the realisation of a just and lasting settlement to the conflict.
ENDS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT :
name Jim Loughran title Head of Media and Communications, Front Line telephone number 01 - 212 3750 Direct Line 01 - 212 10 01 mobile 087 9377586 e-mail jimloughran@frontlinedefenders.org