We express our profound disappointment and outrage that the French Ministry of the Interior has once again refused to grant a visa to Mr. Shawan Jabarin, the General Director of Al-Haq. This action directly contravenes Administrative Court of Nantes Order No. 2607793, issued on 30 April 2026.

In response to this blatant defiance of judicial authority, Al-Haq is filing a new legal challenge in the French courts. The Ministry’s decision is a targeted act of censorship that flagrantly violates both French and international law. This refusal directly infringes upon fundamental freedoms and serves as a textbook example of an abuse of power. By issuing the exact same refusal immediately after a court order, the administration has demonstrated profound contempt for the judiciary, effectively depriving Mr. Jabarin of his rights.

This politically motivated decision further illustrates the ability of the French government to circumvent decisions taken by independent judges and based on a proper application of the law, regardless of the constitutional value of the separation of powers in France.

By blocking Mr. Jabarin from addressing a sovereign legislative body to which he was formally invited, France is actively violating his freedom of expression in an attempt to silence Palestinian advocacy. This overreach extends even further, violating his fundamental freedom of movement and his right to work, given that engaging with lawmakers and diplomats is a core professional responsibility of his role as General Director.

The decision is particularly concerning when viewed within the broader context of the repression of human rights defenders in France advocating for Palestinian rights. It mirrors a coordinated global campaign to silence Al-Haq, including through arbitrary U.S. sanctions, precisely because of our critical work documenting Israeli violations and engaging with the International Criminal Court.

Instead of targeting human rights defenders and denying them space for advocacy, France and its authorities must act in accordance with their international obligations, including those arising from the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Palestine. They should hold accountable any of their citizens who may have been complicit in violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory and take steps to impose sanctions on Israel, a state accused of genocide against the Palestinian people.

Now is the time for political leaders to uphold the rule of law rather than bend it in favour of Israeli allegiances. There is no justification for France’s failure to defend the rights of the Palestinian people, nor for the silencing of Palestinian voices.