A call for international protection of Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps and a rejection of all demands for diluting the right of return for Palestinian refugees were made at the 5th Annual Strategic Meeting of the Right of Return Coalition in Ghent, Belgium 6-11 October.

Delegates of a dozen community-based Palestinian Right of Return organizations and initiatives, members of the global Coalition (Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, United States, Canada, and a number of European countries), met to finalize the Coalition's by-laws and debate priorities for a common advocacy agenda. The meeting was hosted by Oxfam Solidarity (Belgium).

The sessions opened with an evaluation of the work in progress of various Coalition members, and a review of activities and programs accomplished by Coalition members during 2003- 04. Participants also reviewed the political and social situation in Palestine in general, and in the Gaza Strip in particular, in the wake of the Israeli military aggression taking place in Gaza.

Discussions included evaluating administrative work and coordination and follow-up mechanisms among all members globally. Members agreed that the Coalition should have a mechanism to preserve its archives and disseminate information and releases issued by the Global Right of Return Campaign among all members.

Participants have also discussed several working papers presented by members of the coalition. 'Aidun Groups in Syria and Lebanon presented a paper focused on strengthening and unifying language on the right of return, and developing the necessary tools and methods for follow-up and coordination. The paper and related recommendations were adopted.

Delegates to the meeting also discussed Coalition by-laws and work plan for 2004-2005. Both were approved.

A final statement from the meeting also demanded that the international community and the Security Council provide the necessary international protection to Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps.

It affirmed the Palestinian people's right of return and rejected any calls and campaigns that aim to harm or dilute the right of return. Participants reaffirmed the Palestinian national consensus especially the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and the refugees' right to return to their original homes and properties inside the 'green line', and to receive compensation for material and non- material damages suffered over the past 56 years of exile.

Participants greeted the Palestinian people and especially political prisoners, wounded, and their families, and sent a letter to the prisoner Hussam Khader, who participated in the meeting through a letter he wrote in his cell.