As part of a broad coalition of civil society organisations and movements committed to the defence of human rights, Pax Christi International has signed the joint statement expressing deep concern over the decision of the United States government to impose sanctions on three of the main Palestinian human rights organisations: Al-Haq, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).

The joint statement, organised by Charity & Security Network (C&SN), also echoes the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who has called on the United States to immediately revoke these measures, warning that they pose a serious threat to the independence and safety of organisations engaged in documentation and accountability work.

The sanctions could set a dangerous precedent and mark a point of no return for international justice. Pax Christi International joins the many voices calling for the protection of the right of Palestinian organisations to operate freely, so that the freedom of action of civil society is not put at risk.

Read the joint statement here and the press release by C&SN here