The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) in London delivered an oral statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as part of Agenda Item 3 on Israeli crackdowns on human rights defenders in Palestine.

PRC joined UN experts and human rights watchdogs who have expressed deep concern over Israeli arrests, harassment, criminalisation and threats against human rights defenders in Palestine and Israel.

“Just a few months ago, Israel deported Saleh Hammouri, a prominent human rights defender from his hometown in Jerusalem to France, in a flagrant violation of international law”, said PRC speaker. “Israel uses this deportation policy frequently and even against reputable global human rights organisations like Human Rights Watch.”

PRC also referred to Israel’s deportation, in 2019, of Omar Shakir, HRW’s director, from Palestine, where he has been monitoring and speaking up against human rights abuses.

PRC called on the government of Israel to immediately adhere to Article 9 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights that clearly outlines that ‘no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile’, and also Article 19 which states that every human being has an innate right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Watch the statement here:

https://youtu.be/T2EuETWQeOk