PCHR: Palestinian Landmark Day

Local Editor

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) reiterated its support for the Palestinian aspiration for statehood, and considered it to be a major step for Palestinian realization of rights.

In a press release issued Thursday, the PCHR saw that attaining statehood "would be a crucial step in the struggle for justice and accountability for "Israeli" violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, which have been committed in the occupied Palestinian territory during decades of occupation."

"In an attempt to deprive Palestinian victims of justice and maintain "Israel's" position as a State above the law, several countries are exerting heavy pressure on the Palestinian leadership to refrain from accessing the [International Criminal Court] (ICC), in exchange for a positive vote on the statehood bid," the press release read.

The PCHR further indicated that, "these attempts to bar access to the ICC for the Palestinian people are a grievous example of political interests being given precedence over justice and the rule of law."
Moreover, the PCHR urged that Palestinians be granted access to the ICC "as a final resort for achieving justice and accountability."

Source: PCHR, edited by moqawama.org