NGO Statement on International Protection submitted to the 2005 Meeting of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR (Excerpt)

The NGO Statement on International Protection was drafted and delivered at the 56th Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme on 3-7 October 2005 on behalf of a wide range of NGOs.

The excerpt below addresses the Palestinian refugee situation which was raised in numerous meetings at the pre-Executive Committee consultations between NGOs and UNHCR. The entire statement is available on the website of the Geneva-based International Council of Voluntary Agencies, http://www.icva.ch.

We would like to draw the Executive Committee’s attention to the unique position of forcibly displaced Palestinians. Millions of Palestinians fall into a gap with no access to any form of international protection. In this regard, we call on all actors to redouble their efforts at addressing this gap for Palestinian refugees. UNHCR, governments and other UN agencies should ensure Palestinian refugees’ protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention to Palestinian refugees in light of the inclusion clause of Article 1D. Of continuing concern is the lack of protection provided to Palestinians under UNRWA’s mandate, as well as those new IDPs created by the destruction of refugee camps and the illegal wall under construction.