Press Releases

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights attended and participated in the 35th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which took place between 6 -23 June 2017 in Geneva.

During the session, BADIL submitted two oral statements. The first oral statement addressed Israel’s unlawful prolonged occupation while asserting that the longest occupation in modern history has been used to achieve colonial policies. The second oral statement, to mark 50 years of occupation, BADIL addressed the ongoing displacement of Palestinians as well as the Israeli policies of forcible transfer; notably the permit regime, the Annexation and Separation Wall, military checkpoints, closures, intense military incursions into homes, extrajudicial killings, and excessive use of force. Furthermore, BADIL endorsed several oral and written statements submitted by other Palestinian and international human rights organizations.

In addition to the oral statements, under the title of “Illegal Israel’s policies in oPt amount to Colonization”, BADIL submitted a written statement that focused on the Israeli practices and policies in the oPt, which de facto constitute colonization. Furthermore, BADIL, jointly with the Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem, submitted a written statement highlighting the illegal Israeli policy regarding annexation in occupied East Jerusalem. In the same context, BADIL together with Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies submitted a joint statement, discussing the continuing Israeli human rights violations and the blatant lack of accountability for the perpetrators.

On 19 June 2017, BADIL organized a side event titled "Indefinite Occupation: Time for Accountability". At the event, which was shared with Al-Haq, Diakonia, Addameer and DCI, BADIL screened a short film exhibiting multiple Israeli violations of international law and human rights in Jerusalem, with a special focus on the home demolitions occurring within the city. BADIL also emphasized the ongoing Israeli policies of forcible transfer and displacement of Palestinians. In addition, BADIL participated in different side events and activities throughout the session. Furthermore, BADIL honored Mr. Frej Fenniche, former UN staff member, for his unwavering commitment to human rights and exceptional solidarity with the Palestinian people through his service in the United Nations for the past 20 years.

Throughout the session, BADIL held several meetings with various official and non-official representatives; in order to brief them on the situation of human rights in the oPt, and to discuss the potential plans and actions to prevent further encroachments on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
 

Meetings with State Representatives
 

Honoring Mr. Frej Fenniche
 


Side-Event: Photo Exhibition



Side-Event: Film-Screening