Palestinian Professional Unions Condemn US Sanctions on Palestinian Human Rights Institutions

SadaNews - The Palestinian professional unions expressed their strong rejection and condemnation of the decision issued by the US Department of the Treasury, which included imposing sanctions on three long-standing Palestinian human rights institutions: Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, and the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.

The unions stated that targeting these institutions constitutes a serious assault on Palestinian civil society and an unacceptable attempt to delegitimize their legitimate role in defending human rights. These institutions, recognized at both the international and regional levels, perform essential tasks in the context of their specialized human rights work in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The professional unions believe that this decision is merely an extension of repeated attempts to silence the Palestinian human rights voice and to limit its activity and role based on the provisions of public international law. Such a dangerous step opens the door to a precedent that threatens the entire international human rights protection system.

Continuing from their national and professional responsibility, the Palestinian professional unions demand that the US administration immediately retract this arbitrary decision, adhere to the requirements of international law, and cease the policy of pressure on Palestinian human rights institutions, which represent a fundamental pillar in defending the rights of the Palestinian people.

The professional unions called on the international community, the United Nations, special rapporteurs, and all professional unions worldwide, to reject this decision and to take the necessary practical measures to secure protection and support for these institutions.

They further stated that the Palestinian professional unions, aligning with the message of truth and justice, urge all active forces, professional unions, and international federations to stand united against these unjust policies and to intensify efforts to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, and to entrench the principles of international justice as key tools for achieving security, peace, and stability.
Date of publication: 5/9/2025