1_March 2019, Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (8 March), a week-long joint campaign “My Rights, Our Power” was launched today in Palestine to raise awareness on women’s fundamental human rights. The joint effort, with participation from over 30 national and international partners from civil society organizations, media outlets, and international development agencies, targets youth, women, and men in various geographic areas in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza to promote women’s human rights in Palestine.

The campaign comes at a crucial moment when the anticipated adoption of the Family Protection Bill is at a standstill, raising concerns among national and international stakeholders about the consequences of such delay on safeguarding women’s fundamental human rights in Palestine. According to the Palestine report of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), nearly one in five Palestinian men (17 percent) surveyed said they had perpetrated act of physical intimate partner violence against female partners, while 21 per cent of women surveyed reported having experienced such violence.

“Family violence, usually committed by a family member who has social or economic power over others in the family, causes enormous pain and suffering to all members of the family, especially the women and children,” said a spokesperson from civil society, which has vigorously initiated the development of the Family Protection Bill (FPB), and has strongly pushed its adoption since 2004.

“The violation of women’s human rights manifests in various levels and should be also understood from economic, cultural, and social aspects,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the lack of opportunities and freedom of choice, as well as limited access to justice and services that women in Palestine still experience.

The joint campaign aims to raise awareness of the general public, especially youth, women, and men on women’s fundamental rights in line with international standards and embedded in the Family Protection Bill draft endorsed by the previous Cabinet at the end of December 2018. Five key messages, addressing women’s right to a life free of violence, right to achieve justice and seek help in case of violation of such life, as well as the right to equal opportunities and right to make one’s own choices, will be distributed through various channels such as radio, social media, helpline (121), outreach activities, and on-site events. The closing event of the joint campaign will take place on 8 March in Jerusalem and will celebrate women’s achievements using TED-style talks, followed by art performances.

“My Rights, Our Power” joint campaign is part of the global International Women’s Day 2019 campaign under the theme of “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. The theme focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure, echoing the theme of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63) taking place in New York on 11-22 March 2019.

The participating organizations of the “My Rights, Our Power” are (in alphabetical order): 17 Palestinian women’s organizations represented by Al-Muntada (coalition), British Consulate-General, Business Women Forum, CARE International, Consulate General of Sweden, Consulate General of Belgium, EUPOL COPPS, EU Representative Office, FAO, General Union of Palestinian Women, Government of Japan, CowaterSogema/GROW Project, International Labour Organization, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Ma’an TV, MIFTAH, Netherlands Representative Office, Nisaa FM, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, Representative Office of Canada, Representative Office of Denmark, SAWA, Sawasya II, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Sports for Life, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Representative Office of Norway, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UN Women, Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, Women’s Studies Center.

For more information, please contact Eunjin Jeong at UN Women via eunjin.jeong@unwomen.org or 059 2321 308, Majd Beltaji at UNESCO via m.beltaji@unesco.org or 059 4501 506.

Mr. President,

We thank France for organizing this important meeting and extend our appreciation to the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General, the Executive Director of UN Women, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and the Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for their efforts and important briefings.

The issue before us is of relevance not only for half the planet, but to all, given the role and contribution of women in the fields of peace and security and the untapped potential that could be unleashed by mainstreaming their participation. Since the adoption by consensus of resolution 1325 by this Council, a lot has happened, and yet we are still far from the goal of full and equal participation, including in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and from ensuring the protection and empowerment of women. Gender equality and non-discrimination remain prerequisites for the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of this organization and all of our lofty, collective commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The State of Palestine welcomes the Secretary General’s report and his commitment to implementing the women and peace and security agenda, including by placing gender at the centre of his prevention platform and surge in diplomacy. We appreciate all efforts by the UN in this regard, including by UN Women, OHCHR and UNDP, notably in the field of human rights, capacity building, employment and rule of law. We urge UN bodies, notably those operating in Palestine, including the Special Representative, to intensify their engagement and collaboration with women organizations.

Mr. President,

I wish to highlight some of Palestine’s own important efforts in this regard. The Palestinian women’s movement is one of the oldest and strongest in the region and beyond, with institutional and representative structures established as early as the 19th century. Within the PLO, the General Union of Palestinian Women was among the first unions to be established. A coordination of women frameworks within PLO political parties and other organizations has also been established as the “Women’s Affairs Technical Committee” in the aftermath of the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference.

There have been many achievements thereafter. Among them: In 2012, Palestine inaugurated a High-Level National Committee for the implementation of resolution 1325, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with relevant Ministries and NGOs. In 2016, the State of Palestine was among the 68 countries and areas that adopted a National Action Plan on women, peace and security.

This Action Plan (2017-2019), adopted by both the Government and civil society organizations, identifies three primary objectives: 1. ensuring protection for women and girls both domestically and in the face of the Israeli occupation; 2. ensuring accountability through national and international mechanisms, with a particular focus on crimes and violations committed by the occupation; and 3. furthering women’s political participation in decision making at the national and international level. The State of Palestine also joined core IHL and human rights instruments, including CEDAW, without reservations. Women’s participation and empowerment are also important and cross-cutting objectives in the context of the National Policy Agenda (2017-2022).

We are, however, conscious that, despite all these efforts, much more work remains to be done. Only in 2009 was a women elected to the highest executive body of the PLO. Quotas are still decisive in allowing women’s election to Parliament and local councils. And while women organizations were among the strongest advocates of national reconciliation, they have been unfairly absent from reconciliation talks. The relevant legislative framework applicable in Palestine is also outdated and must be revised to ensure consistency with Palestine’s international commitments and obligations and avail women the protection and rights they are entitled to and the opportunities they deserve.

Mr. President,

The Palestinian women’s movement since its establishment over a century ago pursued the struggle on two fronts – the struggle for the independence of Palestine and the struggle for women’s rights and empowerment – a dual struggle the movement continues to pursue to this day. The Israeli occupation remains the main source of the violations of our women’s rights and their vulnerability and violence against their person. We have repeatedly called for protection of the Palestinian people, especially women and children. We have also called for accountability, a key element of resolution 1325, the first resolution to address the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women, as the only way to put an end to violations and crimes.

While Palestine stands ready to do its part to advance women rights and the role of women in the fields of peace and security, it is clear that the enjoyment of these rights in our country necessitates ending the Israeli occupation. We will thus continue to work for an end of the occupation and true progress on the path to independence, justice and peace, with the equal and full involvement of women, leading to an independent State of Palestine ensuring human rights for all its citizens without discrimination.

On the occasion of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to Palestine, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, which consists of twelve different Palestinian women’s organisations, is urging the Prosecutor’s Office to take concrete actions towards investigating war crimes committed against Palestinians. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom remains deeply concerned with the complete impunity of Israeli war crimes and firmly supports the Coalition’s call for a just accountability mechanism for Palestinian victims. WILPF also calls on the international community to recognise and fully support Palestinian women’s organisations substantial role in paving the paths to justice, accountability and peace. Read the statement of the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325 below.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325,welcome the visit of the delegation of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office as a step in the right direction. But we are deeply disappointed that the purpose of this visit was restricted to preliminary examination, while Palestinian victims of Israeli war crimes, including women, continue to suffer and urgently await justice and an end to Israel impunity.

We do not understand the decision to exclude the Gaza Strip from this visit, when Gaza has been the site of the most war crimes and where women have been most systematically impacted by Israeli collective punishment policies; a prolonged imposed siege and a severe humanitarian deterioration resulting from Israeli military aggressions .

We are further disappointed that women who have been systematically impacted, and their women’s organisations, have been excluded from the delegation’s agenda.

We call upon all future delegations of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to include on their agenda meetings with women’s organisations and women who have experienced direct and indirect impacts of Israeli crimes.

We, the Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325, have seen in UNSCR 1325, 2242, and other UN Resolutions a commitment to hold the Israeli perpetrators accountable for their war crimes.

We look to the ICC as the most important mechanism to end impunity for all war crimes committed, finally bringing justice for the Palestinian people. Yet, we are very concerned that the preliminary examinations will be an endless process.

Therefore, we urge, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of the ICC, to conclude the preliminary examination and move to investigations into Israeli war crimes, bringing justice to Palestinians.

We have paid the price of non-accountability and impunity of Israeli war crimes for too long. “Delaying justice is justice denied.”

Palestinian Women Coalition of UNSCR 1325: The General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW), the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC), Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), MIFTAH, Filastinyat, Women Media and Development (TAM), Women Stu Dies Center, Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling (WACLAC), the National, YWCA of Palestine, Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting (CWLRC), the Culture and Free thought Association(CWLRC) and Women’s Affairs Center (GWAC).

Occupied Palestine

October 11, 2016

PCHR strongly condemns the extra-judicial execution committed by Israeli forces this morning, which killed Majed Mohammed Mhamoud al-Sa'di, 30, from Jenin refugee camp. Two Palestinian civilians were also wounded in this attack, one of whom was arrested by Israeli troops. This assassination is the second in less than 48 hours. Israeli troops assassinated Khalil Marshoud, from Balata refugee camp near Nablus on Monday, 14 June 2004.

According to PCHR's preliminary investigations, at approximately 06:30 on Wednesday, 16 June 2004, an undercover unit[1] of Israeli occupying forces moved into Jenin using a civilian car, a grey Toyota, which had a Palestinian registration. The vehicle moved into the road leading to Dr. Khalil Suleiman Hospital. It stopped near al-Fahmawi restaurant. Immediately, 4 armed persons in civilian clothes got out of the vehicle, opening fire. Majed al-Sa'di, who is also known as Majed al-Safouri, was killed by 10 live bullets in the head, the chest and the legs. Israeli occupying forces claim that al-Sa'di was wanted for his activities in al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of Fatah movement. A worker in the restaurant, Mohammed Tawfiq Qarini, 16, was wounded and arrested. In addition, Mohammed Mustafa Kumayel, 30, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen, when he was 200 meters away from the restaurant.

PCHR remains extremely concerned at ongoing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Israeli occupying forces in the OPTs, including willful killings and other grave breaches. PCHR asserts that the policy of extra-judicial execution officially adopted by the Israeli government serves to increase tension in the region and threatens the lives of Palestinian civilians. PCHR reiterates its calls for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPTs.

Early this morning, Friday October 10, 2003, Israeli occupying forces conducted a large scale incursion into the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip. Under cover of intense shelling and gunfire from tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces invaded the area which is one of the most densely populated in the Gaza Strip.

At the time of writing, 6 people have been killed, including 2 children, and 38 civilians have been injured, including women, children and elderly people. Approximately 10 houses were destroyed in the attack, some completely and some partially, and there has been widespread destruction to buildings, roads and other aspects of the civilian infrastructure. Israeli occupying forces have imposed a strict curfew on the area.

According to Israeli military sources, this operation is set to continue for several days, during which time PCHR is gravely concerned that further crimes will be committed against civilians in the area. PCHR believes that this latest attack is part of a wider strategy which has already resulted in the destruction of hundreds of houses adjacent to the Egyptian border, justified by Israeli authorities for ‘security’ reasons. However, the facts on the ground prove that these demolitions are part of a strategic policy to clear a large area of Palestinian land near the border with Egypt to facilitate a wide buffer zone to increase Israeli military control in the area. Israeli forces have begun construction of a concrete and metal wall parallel to the border with Egypt on land cleared of Palestinian homes in similar demolition operations.

According to information collected by PCHR, at approximately 12 midnight, more than 80 Israeli tanks, accompanied by military bulldozers and helicopters, moved approximately 300 meters into Blocks L and J of the Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. Under cover of heavy shelling by the tanks and helicopters, Israeli forces raided and took over several houses in the area, using them as military posts. Bulldozers demolished houses, buildings and aspects of the civilian infrastructure. As a result of the severity of this operation, at the time of writing, it is not possible to provide conclusive figures for the number of houses and families affected by this attack.

Soon after Israeli forces moved into the area, clashes broke out between members of the Palestinian resistance and Israeli forces, during which time 2 armed Palestinians were killed. 4 other Palestinians, including 2 children, were killed as a result of indiscriminate shelling and shooting from tanks and helicopters into the densely populated area. 38 civilians were injured, including 11 children, 6 women and 6 elderly people. PCHR’s field worker reported that the 6 elderly people were injured when an Israeli helicopter fired a missile at around 4.20am towards a group of houses and a Palestinian woman and her daughter were forced to wait for 3 hours for medical assistance after they were injured while in their home.

During the attack, Palestinian ambulances were fired at while attempting to evacuate the wounded and one of the medics, Raja Salah Omer, 30, was shot in the back and is currently in a critical condition. PCHR’s field workers reported that ambulances and medical teams faced severe difficulties in evacuating the injured to hospitals in other areas of the Gaza Strip, due to the severe closures currently being imposed on the entire OPT. The major hospitals are located in Gaza City and it is currently impossible to travel from Rafah to the north. For the 6th consecutive day, Israeli forces have imposed a comprehensive closure on the entire OPT, closing off the borders with Israel and Egypt as well as dividing up the Gaza Strip into 4 parts.

Of the 6 killed, 5 have been identified as: 1. Mohammed Ahmed Abd al-Wahab, 23, shot in the abdomen 2. Nader Ahmed Fouad Abu Taha, 23, shot in the chest 3. Ibrahim Ahmed Qrainawi, 8, shot in the abdomen 4. Alaa Noaman Mansour, 33, shot in the abdomen 5. Sami Talal Salah, 15, hit in the head by shrapnel from a tank shell

PCHR condemns this latest crime committed in Rafah and remains deeply concerned about the ongoing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, carried out by Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian civilian population in the OPT. PCHR has consistently reiterated its concerns about the Israeli policy of demolishing Palestinian civilian property, including homes, educational and health facilities, commercial properties, and civilian infrastructure. The extensive destruction of civilian property, carried out wantonly and unlawfully without military necessity, constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. PCHR reasserts that the ongoing silence of the international community, specifically the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention and the failure to intervene to ensure protection for the Palestinian civilian population has served to encourage further violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Thus, PCHR calls upon the international community to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the OPT.

PCHR condemns the recent attacks on the offices of al-Arabiya Satellite Channel in Ramallah and al-Ayyam newspaper in Gaza city. PCHR considers these attacks an assault against freedom of the press and the freedom of expression and to receive and impart information. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Authority Attorney General to initiate an investigation and bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.

On Saturday, 13 September 2003, a number of masked persons armed with machine guns, sticks and swords broke into the offices of al-Arabiya Satellite Channel in Ramallah. They threatened and insulted the staff. They forced 3 staff members into one room while they began to destroy office equipment. The attackers, who claimed to be members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the military wing of the Fatah movement, did not give any reason for this attack. However, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade issued a statement later denying any connection to the attack, and describing its perpetrators as “intruders and dissidents from the national consensus.” Palestinian President Yasser Arafat also ordered the establishment of an inquiry committee to investigate the attack.

In the second attack, on Sunday morning, 14 September 2003, a number of armed persons intercepted a vehicle belonging to the distributors of al-Ayyam newspaper in Gaza city. They confiscated a number of copies of the newspaper. According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 08:30, a vehicle belonging to the newspaper, which is published in Ramallah, was traveling in Salah al-Din Street on its way from Erez crossing towards Gaza city, loaded with copies of the newspaper to be distributed in the Gaza Strip. To the north of Jabalya, two civilian cars intercepted it. Four gunmen got out of the cars and forced the driver of the newspaper's vehicle and his two colleagues to move forward with their vehicle lodged between the two cars, one at the front and one traveling behind. They took them to an area located to the east of Jabalya. Two individuals in police uniform were waiting for them there. They claimed to be members of the customs department and forced the staff members of al-Ayyam to get out of the car. They confiscated about 1400 copies of the newspaper. However, the customs department later denied any connection to the incident. The attackers have not been identified.

PCHR condemns these attacks on al-Arabiya satellite channel and al-Ayyam newspaper and calls for respect for press freedoms enshrined in international human rights instruments. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, expressly provide that everyone has the right to freedom of expression; this right includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Authority to conduct a full and fair investigation into the incidents, and prosecute those responsible in accordance with international legal standards.

On Tuesday, 16 September 2003, the Palestinian High Court of Justice issued a decision ordering the Palestinian Attorney General to explain the reasons for freezing the bank accounts of the Gaza-based charity, al-Salah Islamic Society. The Attorney General was given eight days to provide the explanation. This decision follows a complaint submitted to the Palestinian High Court by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, which included a request for a temporary injunction on the order and an explanation from the Palestinian Attorney General.

PCHR lawyers asserted that the society was established in accordance with the Palestinian Authority Law of Charitable Societies and NGOs, and its subsequent amendments. The society has been registered with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Interior since 1996 in accordance with the law of associations (1999), and it was re-registered in accordance with the Law of Charitable Societies and NGOs (2000). PCHR asserted that the al-Salah Islamic Society had not committed any offence and that no judicial procedures had been taken against it. PCHR further explained that the freeze order would have a dramatic impact on the ability of the society to provide the essential health, education and welfare services which it provides to many communities within the Gaza Strip.

PCHR had previously submitted 2 complaints to the office of the Palestinian Attorney General (on 4 and 9 September 2003) to request an explanation of the decision to freeze the accounts of al-Salah Islamic Society. No official response was received.

The decision to freeze the accounts of certain charitable societies followed a communication circulated by the Palestinian Monetary Fund on 24 August 2003 to all banks in the OPTs ordering the freezing of all accounts registered to 39 named charitable societies and NGOs working in the Gaza Strip. According to the communication, the request was based on a decision handed down by the Palestinian Attorney General. The societies to which the communication referred provide social and relief services and assistance to the most disadvantaged segments of Palestinian society.

In a response to the Palestinian Monetary Fund’s request, PCHR asserted that such measures were in violation of the rule of law and international human rights standards, and warned of the disastrous impact this measure would have on thousands of Palestinian families who depended upon the welfare services provided by these organizations. In a press release issued on 28 August 2003, PCHR declared that the rule of law must be respected, and called upon the Palestinian Authority to ensure that these charitable societies, which are part of Palestinian civil society, enjoy their right to carry out their activities in accordance with the law. PCHR had also called upon the Palestinian Authority to immediately rescind the order.