On 13 February, Al-Haq submitted its joint written statement to the 19^th session of the Human Rights Council.

The written submission, "Israel’s Policies Increase Levels of Forcible Transfer in the OPT," examines how Israel's discriminatory practises including house demolitions, restrictions on building permits, the denial of the right to water and access to  natural resources, coupled with  restrictions on freedom of movement, fundamentally deny the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.

In the submission Al-Haq urges the Human Rights Council:

• To form a UN Fact-Finding Mission to investigate the widespread and systematic nature of Israel’s policies and practices that lead to the forcible transfer of the protected Palestinian population;
• To call on the Occupying Power to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular by immediately discontinuing all illegal policies leading to the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population;
• To demand that the Occupying Power end all discriminatory policies against Palestinians, including restrictions on freedom of movement, right to housing, and access to and use of natural resources;
• To call for the reconvening of the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, as suggested in the Report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, with a view to finding clear mechanisms to enforce the Occupying Power’s obligations under the Conventions;
• To urge the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons to conduct a visit to the OPT without delay and to report on his findings to the Council;
• To suggest practical steps to ensure that all Member States respect their erga ommes obligations and refrain from providing any support to Israeli policies denying the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

- Ends -

*The Palestinian Council of Human Rights Organisations (PCHRO):

	Addameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Association Sahar Francis General Director			Aldameer Association for Human Rights Khalil Abu Shammala General Director
	Al-Haq Shawan Jabarin General Director			Al Mezan Center for Human Rights Issam Younis General Director
	Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights Najwa Darwish General Director			Defence for Children International Palestine Section Rifat Kassis General Director
	Ensan Center for Human Rights and Democracy Shawqi Issa General Director			Hurryyat - Centre for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights Helmi Al-araj General Director
	Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights Issam Aruri General Director			Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies Iyad Barghouti General Director
	Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling Maha Abu Dayyeh General Director