Concluding Resolutions from the Workshop on Strategies for the Defense of Refugee Rights
(Cyprus 6-10/10/2000)
Badil Resource Center
and the Trans-ArabResearch Institute (TARI) convened, in
coordination with 'Aidoun Group - Lebanon, the Right of Return
Coalition in Europe, and in consultation with 'Aidoun Group -
Syria, the Society for the Defense of the Internally Displaced, the
Committee for the Right of Return in Jordan and other
organizations, committees and groups active in the field of the
defense of the Palestinian Right of Return in Palestine, Syria,
Lebanon, Jordan, North America and Europe a meeting in Cyprus
between 6-10 October 2000 with the following aims:
Positions and Principles:
1. The right of our people to return to our homes and properties is
a historic and sacred right rooted in principles of justice and
rights. It is based on the principles of international law
including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this
context UN Resolution 194 reaffirms the right of Palestinian
refugees to return to their homes and properties and to be
compensated for their suffering during the years of exile. These
two rights are two separate, equal rights based on international
law.
Compensation is not a substitute for return. Presenting compensation as an alternative is inconsistent with UN Resolution 194 and the larger body of international law, and aims to promote resettlement, extinguish refugee rights, and thus turn the page on our rights forever.
We emphasize that the right to return is not only built on UN Resolution 194, but is rooted in our national values and our historic right in Palestine. The right to return is an inalienable right. It is not subject to negotiations, bargaining, or opinion polls. It is opposed to all projects for the resettlement, integration, dissolution, and scattering of the Palestinian people.
2. The participants affirm that the framework for the refugee issue is based on the unity ofthe people to their land. They reject all attempts to divide the refugee issue, regardless of reason or circumstance.
3. The participants affirm that the language of return is both political and legal. They reject all attempts to discard refugee rights, and aim to reinforce the ability of refugees to defend the right of return.
4. The language of return is a unifying language that should be understood in the framework of national rights and the national consensus. It does not conflict with other forms of struggle.
5. The participants affirm the importance of the Arab dimension,
supported by the Islamic world, in unifying the language of the
right of return both on the official and popular levels.
6. The participants affirm the importance of maintaining the UN
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), as a witness of the Zionist crimes
committed against our people, and because the Agency embodies the
international political and moral responsibility for creating and
resolving the Palestinian refugee issue. UNRWA services must be
maintained until the refugees return to their original homes and
properties.
7. The participants demand international and temporary protection for Palestinian refugees, a status accorded under international law to other refugees, because UNRWA's mandate does not include refugee protection.
8. The participants affirm the importance ofworking to enter the term al-Awda (Return) into foreign language dictionaries, as has happened with the terms Nakba and Intifada.
Action:
1. The participants agreed that coordinatinon workshops will be
held annually and that other organizations should be invited in
order to expand the movement for defending the right of return in
other areas. The right of return coalition in Europe will be
responsible for organizing the next workshop.
2. Badil will be responsible for coordination between participants in the workshop. This coordination should be expanded through the internet and other media in order to disseminate popular information on the right of return and exchange experiences from activities in the field.
3. European, American, Palestine, and Arab country partners will take the responsibility for organizing joint activities during major national events, such as Land Day, the anniversary of al-Nakba and the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
4. Summer camps, including children and youth from Palestine and the diaspora, will be organized jointly in order to show Palestine (Land and People), and expose children and youth, emotionally and mentally, to the culture of Return.
5. The participants will work to empower al- Awda initiatives and networks in each area, as a necessary first step towards coordination at the global level.
6. The Right of Return Coalitions in Europe and North America will work to prepare solidarity visits and fact-finding tours for politicians, journalists and parliamentarians in order to highlight the situation of refugees in Palestine and the diaspora, and to draw attention to the struggle of the internally displaced Palestinians in 1948 Palestine/Israel.
Concerning current international plans toextinguish the right of return, we affirm that this historical, sacred right is inalienable. It is not subject to negotiations or bargaining. It is the right of successive Palestinian generations. In this context, we announce that we hold fast to this right. We strongly condemn the position of the United States, which supports Israel and is hostile to the rights of our people, foremost the right of return to our original homeland and properties.
WE WILL RETURN
Badil Resource Center, Palestine Yafa Cultural Center, Palestine
Union of Women Activity Centers, Palestine Union of the Youth
Activity Centers, Palestine Popular Service Committees, Palestine
The Committee for the Defense of the Palestinian Refugee Rights,
Palestine The National Society for the Defense of the Internally
Displaced, 1948 Palestine/Israel 'Aidoun Group, Syria 'Aidoun
Group, Lebanon High Committee for the Defense of the Right of
Return, Jordan Right of Return Coalition, Europe Right of Return
Coalition, North America Cyprus 10/10/2000
New Right-of-Return Initiatives
A'idoun Group in Canada and United
States:
Since the last issue of al-Majdal went to press, another group of
academics, intellectuals, artists, and others in the United States
and Canada has been established to work for the right of return of
Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties in occupied
Palestine. The formation of A'idoun Group/Canada and the US adds to
the growing number of groups working for the common agenda of
refugee rights.
The new group aims to work with individuals and solidarity groups to lobby policymakers for a change in policy that currently lends support to Israel's continued violation of Palestinian rights and against implementation of UN resolutions relative to the Palestinian refugee right of return. The group also aims to work intensively to break the economic and social siege of Palestinian refugees, particularly those in Lebanon, opposes all plans to resettle Palestinian refugees outside their homeland, and supports the establishment of a secular democratic state in Palestine.
(based on the English translation by BADIL) Contact: [email protected]
Dr. William Nassar (Head and spokesman)
Dr.Samar Abu Ganem (Public relation)
Muna Haddad (Students affairs)
Dr. George al-Ashkar (Follow media)
Dr. Khalil Qaradhi (Legal affairs)
Barbara AbuGanem (Member)
Alee Sa'ada (Website)
Ziad Shehab (Member)
Eleiana Sawaf (Member)
Ayman Abu Sa'eed (Member)
Khalid Nasrallah (Member)
Ahmad Srour (Member)
Antwan Saliba (Member)
Susan Abu Mansour (Member)