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October 15, 2009 at 10:48 am (Activism, Human Rights, International Solidarity, Israel, Palestine, Right of Return)
International Conference to discuss Future of Palestinian Refugees
Transmitted by Sameh Habeeb
UNRWAs work over the years is unparalleled in many ways. No other institution has been asked to tackle humanitarian crises that affect an entire nation for so long and no other agency has been demanded to plug the gaping holes left by failures in the international community.
Given the origins of the refugee crises and the context in which UNRWA serves, its championing of basic rights for Palestinian refugees is all the more exceptional. Basic rights is the right for all and it is for all to exercise without any barriers but UNRWA has resolutely exercised its mandate to deliver the concisions of humanity against a tidal wave of aggression and defilement.
The enormous tragedy which UNRWA faces is unquestionable. More than Six decades have now passed since the collective dispossession and forced expulsion of Palestinians from their ancestral home in Palestine because of Zionist aggression. For 5 Million Palestinians, forced exile still continuous and their Nakba – catastrophe- is still a daily reality.
The early refugees, engulfed with collective despair, were forced to come to terms with the violent rejection of their dream for national self determination and freedom but also with the unimaginable consequences which followed; having struggled for legitimate national and political rights they faced a new reality where they had to fight for their basic human rights that is afforded to us all, to be allowed to return to their home.
In the face of this growing crisis and within a hostile political climate, UNRWA represents hope for many people. UNRWA isn’t just an aid organization, it was and still is a surrogate state, helping Palestinians to help themselves. Its institutions continue to build individuals that are able to give back to society greater value than what was rained on them and greater value than one could imagine from a people and individuals whose misery still continues.
On a wider level UNRWA is a symbol and a witness to the different manifestations of the Nakba. Because UNRWA is a constant reminder of the historical crimes committed by Israel and because it threatens to destroy the myths around Israel’s origin, its reputation is continuously besmirched if its existence isn’t threatened.
To the international community UNRWA is a symbol of collective failure. The eras marking the end of the great wars were built on tremendous aspirations as institutions were mandated to save humanity from the scourge of war but for over sixty years the Palestinian refugees have not seen the light of these promissory statements and they have been failed miserably by these institutions.
Many high profile personalities have agreed to join and there are more to confirm. The following is a list of those already confirmed:
•Claire Short- British MP
•Baroness Jenny Tonge- Former British MP
•Professor Norman Finkelstein- American Political Scientist and Author
•Ambassador Khalil Makkawi – head of the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee
•Dr Daud Abdullah- Expert on Palestinian issue and Deputy Secretary General of the MCB
•Dr Bashir Nafi- Lecturer
•Rachel Rudolf – Professor in Political Science
•Sami Mashasha – UNRWA Spokesperson
•Ali Huwaidi – Director of Palestinian Organization for the Right of Return “Thabit” in Beirut
•Tariq Hamoud – Director of Palestinian Return Community “WAJEB” in Syria
•Wajih Azayiza – Jordanian representative of Palestinian Refugees
•Ali Mustafa – Representative of Palestinian refugees in Host countries
•Nadeem Shehadeh- Representative of Palestinian refugees in Host countries
•Kristina Morvai – Lawyer, Human Rights Lecturer and Member of European Parliament
•Anicee Van Engeland – Professor of Human Rights Law
Event’s Venue:
Friends House (London) Hospitality
Friends House
173 Euston Road
London NW1 2BJ
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The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC)
100h Crown House
North Circular Road
London NW10 7PN
United Kingdom.
Tel. No.: 00 44 2084530919
00 44 (0) 8452 303 242
Fax: 00 44 2084530994
00 44 (0) 8452 303 243
Email: info@prc.org.uk
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