The Implications of Recognition by the UN of an "Independent Palestinian State": Perspectives from Palestinian Human Rights Defenders
Date
From: 23 September 2011 14:30
Till: 23 September 2011 16:00
Location:
Room 3.14
Description
Debate on a Palestinian State - Peace Week
A debate with ISS Students, Faculty and Staff, organised by the United Civilians for Peace
On the occasion of Peace Week in the Netherlands (19-23 September 2011), the Dutch NGO United Civilians for Peace are organising a lecture tour throughout the Netherlands of Palestinian Human Rights Defenders. Travelling in a bus, the group is visiting schools, colleges and cultural centres, providing an opportunity to hear Palestinian human rights activists speak about their lives under occupation, violations of human rights and their vision of the future.
On Friday, 23 September, three Palestinian human rights defenders will present their perspectives at the ISS in The Hague.
Speakers include Baha’Hilo, co-ordinator of the Olive Tree campaign, who assists farmers in their human rights struggles over land and Ramzy Kumsieh, ISS gradudate and a human rights activist and advocate for international solidarity to support the Palestinian call for BDS to end the Israeli Occupation. During the seminar, these speakers will share their personal and moving stories. These presentations will be followed with ample opportunity for questions and debate with the ISS community.
Originally-scheduled speakers included Majeda Al Saqqa, who was born and raised in Khan Younis, a refugee camp in Gaza and maintains a blog over life in Gaza. Majeda is unable to attend due to travel restrictions imposed by the governments of Israel and Egypt. Finally, Nidal Al Azza a human rights lawyer with Badil Resource Centre and co-founder of the Lajee Center for youth in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, is regretfully also unable to participate for personal reasons.
Organisers' Note (21 Sept): There may be additional, last minute changes to the final programme.
Theme of the seminar
A prominent commentator on these developments has been Mouin Rabbani of International Crisis Group and the Institute for Palestine Studies. Read an article in the New York Times, see an interview with Rabbani and, for a deeper analysis, consult the report 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', by International Crisis Group.
Additional commentary has been made by Nadia Hijab in her paper 'Statehood stalled: next steps for the Palestinian people' and in an editorial in The Economist.
Will this recognition happen? What are the potential short-term and long-term implications of this recognition? Can official recognition by the UN guarantee that the human rights and social justice claims of Palestinians will be protected? How is Israel likely to respond to this development? Why are members of the Quartet, and in particular the United States of America, blocking the claim by the Palestinian Authority?
All these and other questions are likely to be raised both by the speakers and by participants from ISS.
So come along, hear the perspectives of these human rights defenders and take part in the discussion that will follow!
Jeff Handmaker of ISS will moderate the discussion.
Further info:
Contact:
Irheen de Vries (UCP) (irheen[at]gmail.com)
Attachment(s): Wall mural from Lajee Center
Publication date: Friday, 25 November 2011
