The European Campaign

A strategy workshop organized by Oxfam Solidarity in March 1999 set the foundations for two European Solidarity campaigns, a Campaign for Palestinian Economic Development, and a Campaign for Palestinian Refugee Rights. Participants at this workshop included Palestinian and European NGOs (Forum of Palestinian NGOs in Lebanon, PARC, BADIL, Belgo-Palestinian Association, Flamish Palestine Committee, UCL Cermac, and others), Belgian trade unionists, representatives of the ECCP (European Coordinating Committee on Palestine), representatives of the Palestinian delegation and the Arab League in Brussels, Belgian and EU parliamentarians, as well as delegates from the European Commission.

The Campaign for Palestinian Refugee Rights outlined at this meeting will:

- Advocate for the Palestinian right of return;
- Empower Palestinian refugee initiatives and NGOs;
- Lobby for increased UNRWA support by European governments and the EU.

Among the campaign tools to be used for mobilization in Europe, the Brussels workshop adopted BADIL's information packet for a Palestinian-International Campaign for the Defense of Palestinian Refugee Rights, which is to serve as the basis for promotion materials and stickers to be produced in Europe; video documentaries produced by Palestinian and European NGOs, and BADIL's Petition for the Palestinian Right to Restitution.

Since April 1999, Belgian NGOs and solidarity Committees have been networking to expand this campaign initiative by networking with NGOs and solidarity groups in other European countries. By October 1999, the Campaign is to be launched officially at the European level in coordination with the ECCP.

Activities and Time Table (tentative)

March 28 - April 1:
Launching of the Belgian campaign at the strategy workshop "Palestine-Day of the Land: For the Right of Return & Economic Development", Brussels (Oxfam Solidarity for Belgian NGOs and solidarity groups);

May 4:
Solidarity demonstrations for the Palestinian right to self-determination in several European cities, such as Paris, Brussels, Strasbourg, Athens and other Greek cities, as well as in Spain and Italy.

May 17 - 19:
Workshop "Working for the Future of Palestinian Refugees", De Hague (BBO for Dutch NGOs); three Dutch NGOs (ICCO, Commission for Interchurch Aid, Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation) join the Belgian campaign initiative.

June-July:
- Start of intensive effort by Belgian and Dutch NGOs and solidarity groups to obtain endorsement of the Petition for the Palestinian Right to Restitution by public figures and organizations in Europe;
- Coordination meeting between ECCP and NGOs active in all European countries.

September:
Release of campaign materials (stickers, brochures) in French, Dutch, and English.

October/November:
- Briefing of the newly elected European parliament on the situation, needs, and demands of Palestinian refugees by a delegation composed of the ECCP, NGOs and solidarity groups and Palestinian refugees. The Petition for the Palestinian Right to Restitution with the signatures gathered worldwide will be presented to the European parliament.
- European Campaign for Palestinian Refugee Rights to be launched Europe-wide with coordination by the ECCP and the European NGO networks. Concerted actions in solidarity with Palestinian Refugees currently under discussion are:

a) NGO investigation in UNRWA funding by the respective European governments and the EU as part of a lobbying effort to increase UNRWA support;

b) Public action in solidarity with the Palestinian people in general, and refugees in particular on the occasion of anniversaries of events which carry special significance for Palestinian refugees, e.g. 2 November (Balfour Declaration), 29 November (UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People), 11 December (UN Resolution 194), 9 April (Deir Yassin Massacre), 14 May (anniversary of the declaration of the Israeli state and the eviction of the Palestinian people).

c) Europe-tour of a Palestinian refugee delegation for lobbying key politicians and public awareness raising in Europe (spring 2,000).

BADIL urges its friends and partners in Europe to join this Campaign.
For further information, please contact: Hilt Teuwen at Oxfam Solidarity, email: [email protected], tel. 0032-2-5129990, fax. 0032-2-5142813.