NGO Action News – 11 May 2018

This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations affiliated with the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The Committee and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the UN Secretariat provide the information “as is” without warranty of any kind, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in the websites linked in the newsletter.

NGO Action News
11 May 2018 

Middle East 

• On 11 May, Akevot released a research of archival records from the Israeli government showing the “financial safety” provided to commercial companies and settlement agencies beyond the Green Line. The report “Insurance against political risk” denounces the government’s guarantee to investors against evacuation from OPT and Palestinian boycott policies. 

• On 11 May, Palestinian Human Rights Organizations (PHROC) including Adameer, Al Mezan, Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies, and BADIL issued a joint statement, ahead of the Nakba commemoration, demanding the end of the ongoing Nakba. PHROC requested the international community to take measures to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under international law and to ensure regular funding for UNRWA.

• On 10 May, Al-Haq, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights and Adalah-The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel issued an open letter to the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urging them to condemn the killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since 30 March; to establish an independent investigation into Israel’s use of live ammunition; and to urge the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council to address the violations. 

• On 10 May, human rights organizations including Al-Haq, Adameer, Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), BADIL made a joint call on the international community to “take immediate action to stop the relocation of foreign embassies to Jerusalem and respect international law.” The NGOs called on States to condemn and resist any attempts by other states to move their embassies to Jerusalem and to refrain from attending the opening ceremony planned for 14 May. 

• On 10 May, Adalah-The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights announced its new exhibit “Nakba 70: The Faces and Spaces Behind the Cases”. The exhibition is scheduled to open in Haifa on 16 May, in commemoration of Nakba. 

• On 9 May, 16 Israeli human rights organization reacted to the Israeli government’s decision to deport Human Rights Watch Israel and Palestine director, Omar Shakir. The NGOs –including Adalah, Akevot, Breaking the Silence, B’Tselem, Ir Amim and Gisha – issued a joint statement saying that “neither closing the borders to human rights groups nor other Israeli measures […] will deter us, or them from reporting human rights violations […].” 

• On 8 May, Addameer published its monthly report on Palestinians’ arrests and detention by Israel. The report also touches on the ongoing “detention boycott” based on which administrative detainees have begun to refuse to attend court proceedings. 

• On 6 May, in celebration of the World Press Freedom Day, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) organized the campaign “No to targeting the truth” in Gaza and released two reports on Israel’s violations of the freedom of opinion and expression against the media and activists and their deliberate targeting, killing and wounding.

• On 4 May, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights issued a press release pointing to the Israeli practice of targeting Palestinian journalists and calling for accountability. Al Mezan denounced Israeli military’s use of lethal and other excessive force in response to protests, as World Press Freedom Day coincides with attacks against the Great March of Return.

North America

• On 8 May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced Israel’s order to deport one of its officials, Omar Shakir. The Human Rights Watch Israel and Palestine director was ordered to leave the country after his work permit was revoked. The organization stated that this was “not about Shakir, but rather about muzzling Human Rights Watch and shutting down criticism of Israel’s rights record.” It requested Israel to reverse the decision and has retained counsel to challenge it before an Israeli court.

United Nations 

• On 9 May, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published a “Humanitarian snapshot: mass casualties in the context of demonstrations in the Gaza Strip”. The report lists the large number of casualties among unarmed protestors during the Great March of Return. It enumerates key humanitarian needs, e.g. the rapid deployment of medical teams and provision of essential drugs; legal aid; and mental health and psychological support.