The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called on the US to revoke sanctions imposed on Palestinian rights groups that have cooperated with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials.
Turk praised the work of the targeted NGOs, saying they have been “performing vital human rights work, particularly on accountability for human rights violations.”
Turk emphasized that the sanctions would have a “chilling effect” on civil society globally and undermine respect for the rule of law. “I urge the US Government to withdraw immediately these sanctions,” he said.
The US Secretary of State had designated the Palestinian groups for sanctions, blocking their assets and banning American citizens from engaging in financial transactions with them.
The sanctions were imposed on Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights for their cooperation with the ICC in investigating Israeli officials.
The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes charges in Gaza.
The US has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over alleged war crimes in Gaza, arguing that Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC.
However, the court asserted its jurisdiction over alleged war crimes in Gaza because they occurred in the state of Palestine, which had joined the court in 2015.
A coalition of Palestinian and Israeli rights groups, including B’Tselem, released a statement backing the targeted NGOs. “We stand in full solidarity with our colleagues and partners working for human rights between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and especially in the face of the genocide that Israel is committing in the Gaza Strip,” the groups said.
Turk’s call for the US to withdraw the sanctions has been echoed by human rights organizations and advocates around the world.
They argue that the sanctions are an attempt to undermine accountability for human rights violations and intimidate civil society organizations working to promote justice and human rights.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the US sanctions on Palestinian NGOs.
He emphasizes that these sanctions not only harm the targeted organizations but also have far-reaching implications for civil society globally. By undermining respect for the rule of law, the sanctions create a chilling effect that can deter human rights defenders from carrying out their vital work.
The US sanctions on Palestinian NGOs, including Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, are part of a broader trend of US skepticism towards the International Criminal Court’s investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials.
The US has consistently rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over these matters, citing Israel’s non-membership in the Rome Statute. However, the ICC asserts its jurisdiction over alleged war crimes in Gaza due to Palestine’s membership in the court.
Turk’s call for the US to withdraw the sanctions has resonated with human rights organizations and advocates worldwide. Many share his concern that these sanctions are designed to intimidate civil society organizations and undermine accountability for human rights violations.
A coalition of Palestinian and Israeli rights groups, including B’Tselem, has expressed solidarity with the targeted NGOs, condemning the sanctions as an attempt to stifle human rights work in the region.
This is not the first time the US has faced criticism for its stance on international justice. In June, the US imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, prompting Turk to demand their withdrawal.
Turk argued that such attacks on judges for performing their judicial functions run counter to respect for the rule of law and good governance.
Implications for Human Rights Work
The sanctions on Palestinian NGOs and ICC judges raise significant concerns about the US commitment to human rights and international justice.
As Turk noted, “attacks against judges for performance of their judicial functions… run directly counter to respect for the rule of law and the equal protection of the law — values for which the US has long stood.”
The impact of these sanctions on human rights work and the rule of law will likely continue to be a contentious issue.