Geneva, Amid escalating tensions and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, UN human rights experts have called on international states to reinstate and bolster their support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This appeal comes in the wake of a decision by 18 countries to suspend funding to UNRWA, a move that has sparked significant concern given the ongoing large-scale military attacks in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has identified as potentially constituting genocide.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have halted their financial contributions to UNRWA. This decision follows allegations made by Israel against several UNRWA employees for their purported involvement in attacks led by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The UN experts emphasized that UNRWA has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining organizational neutrality by taking immediate action against the accused employees, pending a thorough investigation. They stressed that the agency, which serves 1.7 million Palestinian refugees and employs 13,000 staff in Gaza, should not be collectively punished based on allegations against individual members.
The experts condemned any efforts to delegitimize UNRWA and highlighted its critical role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza and beyond. They noted the tragic loss of over 150 UNRWA staff members since October 7, 2023, marking the highest number of UN personnel fatalities in any conflict since the organization’s inception in 1945. Furthermore, they reported that multiple UNRWA facilities have been targeted and destroyed, potentially violating international principles protecting UN premises.
The experts called on international donors to continue their support for UNRWA, especially in light of the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for 2.2 million people in Gaza. They criticized the suspension of funding as a violation of humanity and an obstacle to peace, stressing that the provision of basic necessities and medical care is indispensable.
In light of the ICJ’s warning of a potential genocide in Gaza, the experts urged states to enhance their efforts to prevent violations of international law, including genocide. They advocated for sustained support for UNRWA’s humanitarian services as a crucial step toward averting further atrocities and ensuring the protection of millions of Palestinians in need.