Ref: 76/2012

On Monday morning, 24 September 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) received Mr. Axel Wernhoff, Consul General of Sweden, and Ms. Johanna Strömquit, Consul Political Affairs. 

The two visitors met with Mr. Hamdi Shaqqura, Deputy Director of PCHR for Program Affairs, who briefed them on developments of the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. The focus of the meeting was the repercussion of the continued policy of collective punishment adopted by Israel against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip, and human rights violations in the West Bank, including, but not limited to, the escalation in settlement activities, land confiscation and arbitrary detention.

Mr. Shaqqura pointed out that the Israeli occupation is the major reason for the continuous deterioration of the human rights situation. He also stressed the importance of the role that can be played by Sweden, Europe and the international community to put an end to Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights, and the to compel Israeli to respect international instruments. 

The meeting was further used to discuss the Palestinian split and its ramifications on the Palestinian Authority and the structure of the Palestinian society.  Mr. Shaqqura underscored the importance of supporting efforts to achieve reconciliation, and pointed out that  it is the only way to stop deterioration of public liberties in the occupied Palestinian territory.