Al-Mezan Center For Human Rights: Apartheid is a crime against humanity, giving rise to individual criminal responsibility and State responsibility to bring the illegal situation to an end. In May 2020, a large number of Palestinian civil society organisations called on all States to adopt “effective countermeasures, including sanctions, to end Israel’s unlawful acquisition of Palestinian territory through use of force, its regime of apartheid, and its denial of our inalienable right to self-determination.”
In June 2020, 47 independent human rights experts within the United Nations (UN) stated that the Israeli government plans to illegally annex large parts of the occupied West Bank would constitute “a vision of a 21st-century apartheid.” Also in June, 114 Palestinian, regional, and international civil society organisations sent a strong message to UN Member States that now is the time to recognise and confront Israel’s establishment and maintenance of an apartheid regime over the Palestinian people as a whole, including Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line and Palestinian refugees and exiles abroad.
We further recall that, in December 2019, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) urged Israel to give full effect to Article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which pertains to the prevention, prohibition, and eradication of all policies and practices of segregation and apartheid, on both sides of the Green Line. As recently highlighted by South Africa at the UN Human Rights Council, “The CERD found… that the strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian people formed part of a policy and practice of segregation and apartheid. Annexation would be yet another example of complete impunity that makes a mockery of this Council and would gravely breach international law.”
In light of the mounting recognition of Israel’s maintenance of an apartheid regime over the Palestinian people, which will only continue to be entrenched through annexation, we, the undersigned Palestinian, regional, and international civil society organizations, urge the UN General Assembly to take urgent and effective actions to address the root causes of Palestinian oppression and to end Israel’s occupation, illegal blockade of Gaza, unlawful acquisition of Palestinian territory by force, its regime of apartheid over the Palestinian people as a whole, and the prolonged denial of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including to self-determination and the right of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes, lands, and property.
In light of the above, we call on all Member States of the UN General Assembly to:
- Launch international investigations into Israel’s apartheid regime over the Palestinian people as a whole, as well as associated State and individual criminal responsibility, including by reconstituting the UN Special Committee against Apartheid and the UN Centre Against Apartheid to end apartheid in the 21st century.
- Ban arms trade and military-security cooperation with Israel.
- Prohibit all trade with illegal Israeli settlements and ensure that companies refrain from and terminate business activities with Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise.
List of signatories from Palestine
- Palestinian Human Rights Organization Council (PHROC), consisting of:
- Al Haq Organization – Law in the Service of Mankind
- Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
- ADDAMEER Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association
- Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
- DCI – Defense for Children International – Palestine
- Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center
- Aldameer Association for Human Rights
- Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
- Hurryyat – Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Independent Commission for Human Rights (Ombudsman Office) – Observer Member
- Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights – Observer Member
- Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), including:
- Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem
- Arab Center for Agricultural Development (ACAD)
- The Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
- Psycho-Social Counselling center for Women (Bethlehem)
- Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society
- Women’s Center for Legal aid and Counseling (WCLAC)
- Women Study Center (WSC PAL)
- Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees
- Nawa for Culture and Arts Association
- Al Karmel Association
- Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection
- The National Society for Rehabilitation
- Baitona Association for Community and Development
- Civic Coalition for the Defense of Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem
List of international signatories
- Argentina
- Liga Argentina por los Derechos Humanos
- Jóvenes con Palestina
- Austria
- Women in Black (Vienna)
- Bangladesh
- La Via Campesina South Asia
- Belgium
- La Centrale Generale-FGTB
- European Trade Union Network For Justice in Palestine (ETUN)
- De-Colonizer
- Association belgo-palestinienne WB
- Viva Salud
- CNCD-11.11.11
- Vrede vzw
- FOS vzw
- Broederlijk Denle
- Belgian Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (BACBI)
- ECCP (European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine)
- Brazil
- Coletivo Feminista Classista ANA MONTENEGRO
- ESPPUSP – Estudantes em Solidariedade ao Povo Palestino (Students in Solidarity with the Palestinian People – USP)
- Canada
- Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
- Just Peace Advocates
- Colombia
- BDS Colombia
- Egypt
- Habitat International Coalition – Housing and Land Rights Network
- Finland
- Finnish-Arab Friendship Society
- ICAHD Finland
- France
- Collectif Judéo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine
- Union syndicale Solidaires
- Mouvement International de la Réconciliation (IFOR)
- Forum Palestine Citoyenneté
- CPPI SAINT-DENIS [Collectif Paix Palestine Israël]
- La Cimade
- Union Juive Française pour la Paix (UJFP)
- Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine (AURDIP)
- Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS)
- MRAP
- Association “Pour Jérusalem”
- One Justice
- Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
- Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine
- ritimo
- CAPJPO-EuroPalestine
- Germany
- German- Palestinian Society (DPG e.V.)
- ICAHD (Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions) Germany
- BDS Berlin
- AK Nahost Berlin
- Juedische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost e.V
- Versöhnungsbund Germany (International Fellowship of Reconciliation, German Branch)
- Attac Germany Federal Working Group Globalization and War
- Salam Shalom e. V.
- German-Palestinian Society
- Greece
- BDS Greece
- KEERFA – Movement United Against Racism and Fascist Threat
- Network for Political and Social Rights
- Encounter for an Anti-capitalist Internationalist Left
- India
- Delhi Queerfest
- NDCW-National Dalit Christian Watch
- INDO-PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK
- National Alliance for People’s Movement
- Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society
- Ireland
- Gaza Action Ireland
- Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- Irish Football Fans Against Israeli Apartheid
- Students For Justice in Palestine – Trinity College Dublin
- People Before Profit
- United Against Racism – Ireland
- Peoples Movement – Gluaiseacht an Phobail
- Centre for Global Education
- Galway Anti Racism Network
- Industrial Workers of the World (Ireland)
- Black Lives Matters Kerry
- Anti Deportation Ireland
- Academics for Palestine
- Kairos Ireland
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions
- Independent Workers Union
- CorkCouncil of Trade unions
- Sligo/Leitrim Council of Trade Unions
- Galway Council of Trade Unions
- Workers Solidarity Movement
- Trade Union Friends of Palestine
- Sadaka – The Ireland Palestine Alliance
- Trócaire
- Brazilian Left Front
- Peace and Neutrality Alliance
- MASI
- Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO)
- Queer Action Ireland
- Abolish Direct Provision Ireland
- Union of Students in Ireland
- Comhlámh Justice for Palestine
- Irish Anti-War Movement
- Jewish Voice for a Just Peace – Ireland
- Shannonwatch
- Fingal Communities Against Racism
- SARF – Solidarity Against Racism and Fascism
- Mandate Trade Union
- Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council
- Italy
- I.L.P.F. – ITALIA
- Rete Radié Resch gruppo di Milano
- Centro Studi Sereno Regis
- Pax Christi Italia – Campagna Ponti e non Muri
- Rete Radié Resch – gruppo di Udine
- Rete-ECO (the Italian Network of Jews against the Occupation)
- Nwrg-onlus
- Centro di Salute Internazionale e Interculturale (CSI) – APS
- Italian Forum of Water Movements
- Fondazione Basso
- Amici della mezzaluna rossa Palestine
- Donne in nero Italy
- Rete Romana Palestina
- AssoPacePalestina
- Luxembourg
- Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orien
- Malaysia
- BDS Malaysia
- Malaysian women coalition for al Quds and Palestine
- Muslimah Interest Zone & Networking Association (MIZAN)
- Pertubuhan Mawaddah Malaysia
- Muslim Care Malaysia
- National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students (PKPIM)
- Citizens International
- Mexico
- Coordinadora de Solidaridad con Palestina
- Mozambique
- Justiça Ambiental / Friends of the Earth Mozambique
- Norway
- The Palestine Committee of Norway
- Association of Norwegian NGOs for Palestine
- Philippines
- Karapatan Alliance Philippines
- South Africa
- #Africa4Palestine
- Workers’ World Media Productions
- World Beyond War — South Africa
- Lawyers For Human Rights
- SA BDS Coalition
- Spainish State
- ASPA (Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz)
- Rumbo a Gaza
- Mujeres de Negro contra la Guerra – Madrid
- Plataforma por la Desobediencia Civil
- Asamblea Antimilitarista de Madrid
- SUDS – Assoc. Internacional de Solidaridad y Cooperación
- Red Cántabra contra laTrata y la Explotación Sexual
- ICID (INICIATIVAS DE COOPERACIÓN INTERNACIONA PARA EL DESARROLLO)
- Desarma Madrid
- Ecologistas en Acción
- Human Rights Institute of Catalonia (Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya)
- Associació Hèlia, de suport a les dones que pateixen violència de gènere
- Servei Civil Internacional de Catalunya
- Fundación Mundubat
- Coordinadora de ONGD de Euskadi
- Confederacion General del Trabajo.
- International Jewish Antizionist Netwoek (IJAN)
- ELA
- Penedès amb Palestina
- La Recolectiva
- Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya
- Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Journalists for Global Justice
- Switzerland
- Collectif Action Palestine
- Gesellschaft Schweiz Palästina (Association Swiss Palestine)
- Gerechtikgiet und Frieden in Palästina GFP
- Collectif Urgence Palestine-Vd
- BDS Switzerland
- BDS Zürich
- The Netherlands
- Groningen-Jabalya
- WILPF Netherlands
- Palestina Werkgroep Enschede (NL)
- Black Queer & Trans Resistance NL
- EMCEMO
- CTID
- Breed Platform Palestina Haarlem
- docP – BDS Netherlands
- Stop Wapenhandel
- Transnational Institute
- Palestina Komitee Rotterdam
- Palestine Link
- Christian Peacemaker Teams – Nederland
- Soul Rebel Movement Foundation
- The Rights Forum
- Nederlands Palestina Komitee
- Timor-Leste
- Comite Esperansa / Committee of Hope
- Organização Popular Juventude Timor (OPJT)
- Tunisia
- Tunisian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (TACBI)
- United Kingdom
- Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine
- Jewish Network for Palestine
- UK-Palestine Mental Health Network
- War on Want
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK
- Campaign Against Arms Trade
- Jews for Justice for Palestinians
- ICAHD UK
- Al-MUTTAQIIN
- Scottish Jews Against Zionism
- Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- Craigavon Council of Trade Unions
- Sabeel-Kairos UK
- End Deportations Belfast
- NUS-USI
- UNISON Northern Ireland
- Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
- Scottish Palestinian Forum
- San Ghanny Choir
- Scottish Friends of Palestine
- United States
- Berkeley Women in Black
- USACBI: US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
- Labor for Standing rock
- United Methodists for Kairos Response
- Stand With Kashmir
- Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
- Jewish Voice for Peace
- Labor for Palestine
- Jews for Palestinian Right of Return
- Jewish Voice For Peace Central Ohio
- Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign
- Yemen
- Mwatana for Human Rights
