On Thursday morning, Israeli Forces broke into, ransacked and sealed off the offices of seven Palestinian human rights and human rights organizations – in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.
Their assets were confiscated and destroyed and the military order to close the offices remained at the facility.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Palestine Lynn Hastings said the shutdown “affects all organizations that are working to promote human rights and development and are providing support”.
Accommodation fee
The United Nations and its partners take allegations of terrorist financing and Israel’s designation of these entities as illegal and/or terrorist organizations seriously.
Despite offering to review the allegations to determine if the funds were diverted, Israeli authorities have not presented any convincing evidence to UN agencies nor NGO partners work within the OPT to support these designations.
Several Member States have recently announced that the evidence shared with them does not justify the designations.
“The attempt to close its offices represents the latest in a series of actions by Israel that are further limiting its ability to operate human rights, humanitarian and development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. close, affecting all organizations working to promote human rights, develop and provide assistance,” the United Nations Agencies and the Association of International Development Agencies said in a statement.
Comply with international law
The statement echoes an earlier statement issued last November stating that anti-terrorism law must be consistent with obligations under international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law.
This includes full respect for the rights to freedom of association and expression.
It cannot be applied to legitimate human rights and humanitarian work; The breadth of Israel’s 2016 Anti-Terrorism law and its impact on the presumed innocence raise serious concerns under international law.
“We urge the Government of Israel to refrain from any action that may prevent these organizations from continuing their vital human rights, humanitarian and development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” the statement said. conclusion.
