CPT condemns Israel’s designation of six prominent Palestinian Human Rights Organizations as “Terrorist Groups” with the intention to criminalize those exposing human rights violations stemming from the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
While the international community fails to hold Israel accountable, Israel continues to take bolder steps towards completely silencing Palestinian existence.
The six organizations targeted were involved in direct support, community development, and exposing human rights abuses. They are:
Addameer
Al-Haq
Defence for Children International-Palestine
The Bisan Center for Research and Development
Union of Agricultural Work Committees
Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees
Consequently, Israel’s Ministry of Defence regards all organizational activities as illegal, permitting Israeli forces to close offices, seize assets and sensitive human rights files, stop funding sources, and imprison staff members, advisors and supporters.
This move to criminalize organizational reporting and public denouncement of human rights abuses by labelling the organizations “terrorists” is an affront to human rights work worldwide. The scope of this action and the precedent it sets without receiving diplomatic pushback causes deep concern throughout the global human rights community.
CPT joins in this global concern and calls on world governments to immediately remove the umbrella of impunity under which the Israeli occupation has flourished. CPT stands in solidarity with Palestinian human rights organizations and those demanding an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
