Keystone-SDA
The UN asks the American authorities to put an end to the sanctions against three Palestinian NGOs. Friday in Geneva, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that these measures were “unacceptable”.
(Keystone-ATS) Washington announced sanctions against the Al-Haq group, the Palestinian Human Rights (PCHR) and the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights on Thursday. These entities were punished for their support for the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Palestinian territories.
In June, the American administration had already imposed a similar system against the famous organization Addameer. “For decades, these NGOs have carried out crucial human rights work,” said the High Commissioner. In particular to establish the responsibilities of violations.
The effects of sanctions could be observed not only on Palestinian civil society but also “potentially worldwide”, also insisted the Austrian. The work of these NGOs to document violations and dialogue with international mechanisms is even more important when human rights are systematically flouted in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, adds the High Commissioner.
Sanctions only strengthen the “impunity” and promote the perpetration of international crimes, according to him. They go against the values that the United States defended for many years, he adds. He requests the withdrawal of these sanctions and those against the UN special rapporteur in the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese and against CPI officials.
