UN REF: A/HRC/57/NGO/45

DATE: 24 September 2024

TITLE: Attacks on UNRWA as Part of Israel’s Genocide against the Palestinian People

Written statement submitted by The Palestinian Return Centre, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status Human Rights Council Fifty-seventh session, 9 September–9 October 2024. Agenda item 7: Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

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Press Release:

PRC Report on Attacks Against UNRWA Published as Part of UN Human Rights Council Documents

 Geneva, October4th 2024 – The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) announces the publication of its report titled "Attacks on UNRWA as part of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people", now part of the United Nations Human Rights Council documents for the 57th session currently underway in Geneva.

The report, referenced A/HRC/57/NGO/45, is published under Item 7 of the agenda, addressing the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.

The report highlights the recent suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by several governments, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and others, following false allegations by Israeli authorities concerning the events of October 7. These suspensions came despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice calling on Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, placing UNRWA in a severe crisis at a time when Palestinians are most vulnerable.

The PRC report describes these measures as part of a wider strategy aimed at undermining humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. Israeli authorities have advanced legislative actions to label UNRWA a "terrorist" organization, which the report contends is a violation of international humanitarian law and an attack on crucial humanitarian work. Such actions, if finalized, could lead to a complete criminalization of UNRWA's operations and staff, further endangering the Palestinian refugee population that the agency serves.

UN experts have raised concerns that governments withdrawing support for UNRWA may be violating the Genocide Convention.

The PRC urges the international community to pressure these governments to resume funding, as emphasized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, both of whom have appealed for the continuity of the agency's critical operations.

The PRC calls on all UN member states to publicly support UNRWA, reminding them of their obligations under international law and the urgent need to prevent further suffering in Gaza.

The full report is now available on the UN Documents website under reference A/HRC/57/NGO/45

The Palestinian Return Centre is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to advocating for the rights of Palestinian refugees and raising awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people.