Press Releases
(19 October 2018) BADIL’s interventions in the 39th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
PR/EN/191018/32
BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights recently participated in the 39th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR), which took place from 10-28 September 2018 in Geneva.
During the session, BADIL delivered three oral statements:
- Under Item 7,highlighting the fallacy of the Israeli claims that it is singled by the UNHRC, emphasizing the fact that item 7 is about a prolonged occupation, which has morphed into a situation of systematic and comprehensive violations of human rights, and uniquely warrants particular attention. The statement noted that any attempt to remove item 7 is aimed at averting the gaze of the international community from the grave, systematic and institutionalized violations of Palestinians’ rights. (watch: webtv.un.org)
- Under Item 4, jointly with Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man, Addameer, Society of St. Yves and the Civic Coalition Jerusalem, BADIL submitted an oral statement highlighting the importance of ensuring international protection of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem. (watch: webtv.un.org) This is critical in the context of ongoing attacks on Palestinian civil society, despite the vital role they play in safeguarding Palestinian identity and the human rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem. Further, the statement highlighted the systematic denial of the Palestinian right to self-determination and right of refugees and IDPs to return.
- Under Item 2, BADIL submitted an oral statement highlighting the importance of the United Nations’ foundational documents and its legal and ethical powers. (watch: webtv.un.org)
In addition to the oral statements, BADIL submitted a written statement, entitled “The Israeli Nation-State Law: underpinning seven decades of institutionalized discrimination”, which addressed the Israeli Nation-State Law passed by the Israeli Knesset on 19 July 2018.
The statement pointed out that this law cements seventy years of Israeli institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people, regardless of where they reside, in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) or exile. The law reiterates and constitutionally entrenches Israel’s ongoing denial of the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and to return by blatantly preferencing one ethnoreligious group over another within Israeli law.
Further, jointly with the Society of St. Yves, Addameer, Al-Haq and the Civic Coalition Jerusalem, BADIL organized a side event that highlighted the ongoing Israeli annexation and colonization of Jerusalem. The event shed light on the colonial policies and practices Israel deploys in Jerusalem.
Throughout the session, BADIL held several meetings with various official and non-official representatives to brief them on the current human rights situation in the oPt, and to discuss potential plans and actions to prevent further violations of Palestinian human rights.
The statement pointed out that this law cements seventy years of Israeli institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people, regardless of where they reside, in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) or exile. The law reiterates and constitutionally entrenches Israel’s ongoing denial of the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and to return by blatantly preferencing one ethnoreligious group over another within Israeli law.
Further, jointly with the Society of St. Yves, Addameer, Al-Haq and the Civic Coalition Jerusalem, BADIL organized a side event that highlighted the ongoing Israeli annexation and colonization of Jerusalem. The event shed light on the colonial policies and practices Israel deploys in Jerusalem.
Throughout the session, BADIL held several meetings with various official and non-official representatives to brief them on the current human rights situation in the oPt, and to discuss potential plans and actions to prevent further violations of Palestinian human rights.