Source: AUN News

The offices of seven Palestinian human rights and humanitarian organizations functioning in Ramallah, which is located in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, were broken into and shut down by the Israeli army during a raid last week (OPT).

The experts urged the UN Member States to utilize international law to stop the abuses, saying that “these activities amount to severe suppression of human rights activists” and that they were both illegal and immoral.

Designations that are “illegal”

Israeli police invaded seven Palestinian human rights organizations’ offices last Thursday at daybreak, causing significant property damage and issuing orders to shut them down.

Israel labeled the groups as “terrorist” and “illegal” earlier.

The experts reaffirmed their April remarks: “These designations and declarations are unlawful and indefensible and no solid and convincing proof substantiating Israel’s charges has ever been produced.”

Insulting remarks

The directors of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Al-Haq, and Defense for Children-Palestine—three of the seven shutdown organizations—were questioned by the Israeli security service Shin Bet on August 18 and 21.

The experts were especially concerned about the threats Shin Bet made against the groups, including a public statement mentioning Shawan Jabarin, the director of Al-Haq.

Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network