France’s denial of a visa to Al-Haq’s General Director, Shawan Jabarin, entrenches its position in undermining efforts towards accountability and advocacy for Palestinian rights. At a time when Palestinians across Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territory are subjected to Israel’s settler-colonial apartheid and genocidal erasure, states that claim to uphold international law are deepening their complicity by targeting those who seek justice.
France’s last-minute refusal to grant a national visa prevented Mr Jabarin from participating in critical briefings with the French Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Council of Europe, and obstructed his ability to attend meetings at the European Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgium. Although another representative attended meetings in Paris and Brussels, and a visa was eventually issued by the Netherlands enabling Mr Jabarin’s travel to The Hague, these obstructions had already severely undermined essential human rights advocacy efforts. This decision stands in stark contrast to France’s prior recognition of Al-Haq’s work, including the prestigious 2018 award granted by the French Republic, which was received by Mr Jabarin himself.
On 6 February 2025, Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14203, imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). These measures marked a dangerous escalation in attacks on international justice mechanisms. Since then, the United States has designated ICC officials, a United Nations Special Rapporteur, and leading Palestinian human rights organisations, including Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, for their longstanding work documenting violations and pursuing accountability for international crimes.
As mass atrocities continue unabated across Palestine, the international community’s failure to bring the genocide to an end, is no longer passive but active. By denying access to Palestinians documenting and seeking justice for the most egregious international crimes, while at the same time permitting the overflights of the Israeli perpetrators of Rome Statute crimes, States such as France are actively contributing to a climate of impunity and enabling the continuation of grave violations, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
“We reiterate that efforts to silence Al-Haq and its work will not erase the evidence, nor will they absolve those responsible. Instead, such actions deepen the erosion of international law and further betray victims who continue to demand justice. Our work to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and to seek justice will continue despite all efforts at silencing and intimidation,” said Shawan Jabarin, General Director of Al-Haq.