Christian Aid says: it's 'law of the jungle' in Gaza after US sanctions Palestinian human rights group

Source: Christian Aid

The US Government has imposed sanctions against Christian Aid's partner, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), for providing evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) of potential Israeli violations of international law.

PCHR monitors and reports alleged war crimes occurring in Gaza and is actively building legal case files and pursuing them with the international courts. It has been included in the new list of US sanctions, along with other organisations such as the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Al-Haq.

Christian Aid's Head of Middle East Policy and Advocacy, William Bell, said: "This is just the latest attempt to stop those who dare to pursue justice. Anyone who either tells the brutal story of illegal Israeli occupation across Gaza and the West Bank, or seeks to challenge human rights violations, is silenced.

"The relentless assault and destruction of Gaza includes hundreds of journalists being killed and it's now facing the closing down of the sector which people count on to protect them. This latest move is an attack on human rights, accountability and the very idea of international law.

"Palestinians are now facing the 'law of the jungle' and these latest US sanctions send a chilling message to the world: support dignity and justice at your peril.

"On 16th July 2024, Hala Abu Saleem, a child on the Palestinian Children's Council, supported by PCHR, wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer: 'I am not a terrorist for my house to be destroyed, and my family killed. I am not a terrorist to live in a tent that is scorching during the day and freezing at night, unfit even for animals!'

"Tragically that is how the world has chosen to regard Palestinians. All attempts to monitor, document and protect the most basic of rights are being dismantled. Today it is Palestinians. Tomorrow it will be someone else who dares to challenge impunity."

PCHR is a longstanding Christian Aid partner that monitors, documents and reports alleged human rights abuses and possible war crimes occurring in Gaza.

Gathering such evidence is critical for future accountability, as well as safeguarding the rights of victims and pursuing justice. PCHR has played a pivotal role in providing evidence used in the legal cases brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the ICC. As well as this work, PCHR is actively engaged every day with supporting medical evacuation, providing legal advice, and helping displaced people access key services after the collapse of civil registration during the conflict.