Palestinian Human Rights Defenders denied permits to leave Gaza

Brussels, November 19, 2009 - APRODEV, Christian Aid and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) condemn Israeli decision not to deliver permits to Hamdi Shaqqura, Democratic Development Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Right in Gaza and Mahmoud Abu Rahma, Communication Coordinator of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, to leave the Gaza Strip.

Hamdi Shaqqura and Mahmoud Abu Rahma were invited by APRODEV, Christian Aid and the EMHRN to participate in an EU advocacy workshop that took place in Talitha Kumi on 16-17 November. With the support of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), a specific request for permit was sent to the Israeli authorities, respecting the required procedures, in order to allow Hamdi Shaqqura and Mahmoud Abu Rahma to exit Gaza through Erez crossing. However, Israeli authorities denied the permit without providing any reason, except the one of "insufficient grounds for a permit".

APRODEV, Christian Aid and the EMHRN strongly condemn the restriction imposed on the freedom of movement of Palestinian human rights defenders (HRDs) by the Israeli authorities, which not only denies human rights defenders the right to freedom of movement, but prevents independent and widely recognized Palestinian members of civil society to raise their voices and concerns in international fora.

We therefore urge the Israeli authorities to take the necessary measures to make its legal and administrative framework compatible with Israel’s international commitments and obligations, including but not limited to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized International Conventions and article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which stipulates that “relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement”.

We equally urge the European Union to act in consistence with its own Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, and to use all tools at its disposal “to influence third countries to carry out their obligations to respect the rights of human rights defenders”[1].

[1] Point 11 of the European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.