Press Releases

In its advocacy mission at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva from 6-14 March, BADIL Resource Center re-affirmed the UN and states’ obligations to protect Palestinian refugees means ensuring the continued presence and full operational capacity of UNRWA in Palestine. In order to hold the Israeli regime accountable for its international crimes and to stop the ongoing genocide, BADIL reiterated its call for states to impose sanctions. 

BADIL reinforced the humanitarian, legal, political and strategic necessity of UNRWA in a wide variety of interventions with a multitude of stakeholders. 

In Geneva, BADIL met with the Special Rapporteurs on the right to food, adequate housing and education highlighting that the Israeli attacks on UNRWA are attacks against the UN and the international legal order. BADIL also discussed the root causes of the ongoing Nakba with the UN Commission of Inquiry. Representatives of the missions of Palestine and South Africa were updated and briefed on BADIL’s main concerns which included the need to ensure the presence and operations of UNRWA in order to challenge Israeli and US plans to forcibly displace and transfer Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.  

After a preliminary meeting with UNRWA personnel at its headquarter office in Amman, BADIL also met with the UNRWA Commissioner-General in Geneva. Following updates on the Agency’s rising challenges and obstacles to its mandate and operations, BADIL and UNRWA discussed advocacy strategies and initiatives moving forward.

BADIL also took advantage of its presence in Geneva to check in with international organizations, partners, and solidarity groups there.  

Lastly, BADIL participated in a panel discussion on the right to food, with key note speaker Mr. Micheal Fakhri, the SR on the right to food. The hybrid event was held at the Geneva Institute with online participation that reached almost 100 people from around the world and with various backgrounds. The event included a distinguished panel of international guest speakers and showcased the parallels of how colonial structures infringe on the right to food and food security. BADIL’s intervention highlighted how the Israeli regime continues to weaponize starvation through the ongoing blockade of Gaza Strip and obstructing the operations of UN agencies and international organizations, especially UNRWA.

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