30 mar 2013
Euro-mid: Egypt discriminates against the Palestinian refugees from Syria
The Euro-mid observer for human rights expressed its deep concern about the mistreatment of about 9,000 Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria and came to Egypt.
The Euro-mid observer stated in a report that the Egyptian authorities discriminate deliberately against the Palestinians who hold Syrian documents and do not treat them on an equal footing with the Syrian refugees.
It warned that such treatment poses a threat to their personal security and creates complications in their legal status in the long run.
The observer explained that the Palestinian refugee who holds a Syrian travel document is not allowed in the Egyptian territory except via one way from Damascus airport to Cairo airport, and those who come from Turkey and Lebanon are detained at the airport arbitrarily before deporting them to the destinations they come from.
The Egyptian authorities deported lately two Palestinians to Lebanon upon their arrival at Cairo airport, and the Lebanese authorities, in turn, refused to have them and sent them back to Egypt where they have been locked up in Qanater jail, the observer said, pointing out that there are already some Palestinian refugees including a minor in this jail.
The observer also noted that in a grave violation against the human rights of the Palestinian refugees who come from Syria, the Egyptian authorities also prevent their registration as refugees benefiting from the services of the UN high commissioner for refugees at the pretext that they are under the jurisdiction of the UNRWA as the Egyptian foreign ministry declared.
The Euro-mid observer stated in a report that the Egyptian authorities discriminate deliberately against the Palestinians who hold Syrian documents and do not treat them on an equal footing with the Syrian refugees.
It warned that such treatment poses a threat to their personal security and creates complications in their legal status in the long run.
The observer explained that the Palestinian refugee who holds a Syrian travel document is not allowed in the Egyptian territory except via one way from Damascus airport to Cairo airport, and those who come from Turkey and Lebanon are detained at the airport arbitrarily before deporting them to the destinations they come from.
The Egyptian authorities deported lately two Palestinians to Lebanon upon their arrival at Cairo airport, and the Lebanese authorities, in turn, refused to have them and sent them back to Egypt where they have been locked up in Qanater jail, the observer said, pointing out that there are already some Palestinian refugees including a minor in this jail.
The observer also noted that in a grave violation against the human rights of the Palestinian refugees who come from Syria, the Egyptian authorities also prevent their registration as refugees benefiting from the services of the UN high commissioner for refugees at the pretext that they are under the jurisdiction of the UNRWA as the Egyptian foreign ministry declared.
28 mar 2013
11 Palestinian killed in Syria, including five of same family
Eleven Palestinian refugees were killed during the last 24 hours in light of the continued targeting and shelling of the Palestinian refugee camps, where 5 members of the same family were executed by the Syrian security forces.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Thursday that the 5 Palestinian martyrs are from Nabulsi family, a father and his 3 children and wife, where they were executed by the Syrian forces in Daraa camp.
Three members of the Palestinian Liberation Army were killed, while 8 others were injured due to the shelling of their military site in Adra city on the outskirts of Damascus, the Working Group added.
The Palestinian refugee Ahmed Kassem was killed after shelling his home in Husseiniya camp on the outskirts of Damascus, while Nasser Sheikh Taha was killed by a sniper in A'aidin refugee camp in Homs. Yamen Adel Daher was martyred of wounds sustained during shelling on Khan al-Shih camp a week ago.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Thursday that the 5 Palestinian martyrs are from Nabulsi family, a father and his 3 children and wife, where they were executed by the Syrian forces in Daraa camp.
Three members of the Palestinian Liberation Army were killed, while 8 others were injured due to the shelling of their military site in Adra city on the outskirts of Damascus, the Working Group added.
The Palestinian refugee Ahmed Kassem was killed after shelling his home in Husseiniya camp on the outskirts of Damascus, while Nasser Sheikh Taha was killed by a sniper in A'aidin refugee camp in Homs. Yamen Adel Daher was martyred of wounds sustained during shelling on Khan al-Shih camp a week ago.
Egypt Creates ‘Exception’ for Palestinian Refugees Fleeing Syria
As many as 9,000 Palestinian refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria and seeking safety in Egypt have found that the host country is discriminating against them – a policy left over from the pre-revolution governments and upheld by the Morsi government. The discrimination is realized in a few different ways and has an impact on the immediate safety of the refugees, as well as their longer-term status.
Currently, a Palestinian refugee from Syria may only enter Egypt if they arrive directly from Damascus at Cairo's airport – a condition that is highly unlikely to be met moving forward, as the Damascus airport has been routinely closed. Any Palestinian refugee arriving from Turkey or Lebanon or anywhere else is detained at the airport and pressure applied on them until they agree to return to Syria. When Egyptian authorities have forced these refugees onto planes back to Lebanon or Turkey, those authorities refuse entry and force them back to Egypt.
Once inside Egypt, however, Palestinian refugees from Syria are prevented from registering with UNHCR. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has claimed that the Palestinians fall under UNRWA's mandate, but Egypt is a territory over which UNRWA does not (and never has had) a mandate. Thus, Palestinian refugees are ineligible for residency, health care, food aid and other services and support provided by UNHCR to other refugees in the country. Egypt is bound by the 1951 Convention on Refugees and the subsequent Organization of African Union convention related to refugees. Yet, in the case of Palestinians, these are set aside.
Sanaa Ibrahim (20 years old) and Khaled Ibrahim (29 years old) are the latest victims of this discrimination. Arriving via Turkey, the brother and sister were detained at the airport for 30 days. On two occasions Sanaa was flown to Lebanon, but the Lebanese authorities refused to allow her entry and sent her back to Cairo.
This morning Sanaa, Khald and 3 other Palestinian refugees from Syria stuck at the airport, including a minor, were sent to Karatin Prison in Cairo, where they are effectively in a black hole. UNHCR is not allowed to have any access to them.
Sanaa and Khaled have siblings who are citizens in Sweden and thus there is a strong case for emergency resettlement in Sweden. But because they are not permitted to register with UNHCR, there is no legal way to make the process begin for Sweden to consider resettlement.
Today, Sanaa and Khaled are finding themselves in a black hole, unable to avail of the most basic forms of protection that should be granted to refugees. But this story is not just about the brother and sister – all Palestinian refugees in Egypt are in legal limbo and remain outside any form of international protection that agencies like UNHCR and WFP are ready to provide. The standing policy of the government of Egypt is the roadblock.
Currently, a Palestinian refugee from Syria may only enter Egypt if they arrive directly from Damascus at Cairo's airport – a condition that is highly unlikely to be met moving forward, as the Damascus airport has been routinely closed. Any Palestinian refugee arriving from Turkey or Lebanon or anywhere else is detained at the airport and pressure applied on them until they agree to return to Syria. When Egyptian authorities have forced these refugees onto planes back to Lebanon or Turkey, those authorities refuse entry and force them back to Egypt.
Once inside Egypt, however, Palestinian refugees from Syria are prevented from registering with UNHCR. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has claimed that the Palestinians fall under UNRWA's mandate, but Egypt is a territory over which UNRWA does not (and never has had) a mandate. Thus, Palestinian refugees are ineligible for residency, health care, food aid and other services and support provided by UNHCR to other refugees in the country. Egypt is bound by the 1951 Convention on Refugees and the subsequent Organization of African Union convention related to refugees. Yet, in the case of Palestinians, these are set aside.
Sanaa Ibrahim (20 years old) and Khaled Ibrahim (29 years old) are the latest victims of this discrimination. Arriving via Turkey, the brother and sister were detained at the airport for 30 days. On two occasions Sanaa was flown to Lebanon, but the Lebanese authorities refused to allow her entry and sent her back to Cairo.
This morning Sanaa, Khald and 3 other Palestinian refugees from Syria stuck at the airport, including a minor, were sent to Karatin Prison in Cairo, where they are effectively in a black hole. UNHCR is not allowed to have any access to them.
Sanaa and Khaled have siblings who are citizens in Sweden and thus there is a strong case for emergency resettlement in Sweden. But because they are not permitted to register with UNHCR, there is no legal way to make the process begin for Sweden to consider resettlement.
Today, Sanaa and Khaled are finding themselves in a black hole, unable to avail of the most basic forms of protection that should be granted to refugees. But this story is not just about the brother and sister – all Palestinian refugees in Egypt are in legal limbo and remain outside any form of international protection that agencies like UNHCR and WFP are ready to provide. The standing policy of the government of Egypt is the roadblock.
27 mar 2013
Action group: The Syrian regime forces killed nine Palestinians
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said on Tuesday that nine Palestinian refugees were killed, most of them were tortured to death by the Syrian regime forces.
Projectile attacks on Jarmana refugee camp claimed the lives of a 13-year old boy named Mahmoud Mousa and a woman named Safa Ibrahim, according to the group.
Another refugee was also killed in attacks by the Syrian regime forces on Yalda town south of Damascus.
Six other refugees from the same family living in Artouz town on the outskirts of Damascus were reportedly tortured to death by Syrian interrogators in a security jail.
The action group also said that the Palestinian refugee camps are still exposed to daily projectile attacks and tight blockade by the Syrian regime forces.
Projectile attacks on Jarmana refugee camp claimed the lives of a 13-year old boy named Mahmoud Mousa and a woman named Safa Ibrahim, according to the group.
Another refugee was also killed in attacks by the Syrian regime forces on Yalda town south of Damascus.
Six other refugees from the same family living in Artouz town on the outskirts of Damascus were reportedly tortured to death by Syrian interrogators in a security jail.
The action group also said that the Palestinian refugee camps are still exposed to daily projectile attacks and tight blockade by the Syrian regime forces.
25 mar 2013
Protests in Gaza against the reduction of UNRWA services
Dozens of Palestinian refugees protested in Jabaliya camp northern Gaza strip against the meeting of Robert Kerner, director of UNRWA operations in Gaza, with representative of Palestinian families and against the organization's shortage of services.
The protesters chanted angry slogans, condemning UNRWA new policy that affects poor families, calling for increasing UNRWA services.
The Agency's new policy of reduction caused anger among the residents who receive aid from the UNRWA, estimated at about 21 thousand families.
UNRWA Commissioner General Filippo Grandi has declared on Thursday that most of donor countries will not provide financial support for the agency in the next phase.
The Popular Committee for the Refugees stated that the agency refused to meet them under the pretext of security reasons, expressing its refusal to the reduction of the agency's financial services especially in light of the families' extreme suffering and poverty.
The committee called on the UNRWA to reconsider its decision to reduce its services especially with the families' difficult living conditions.
The Popular Committees have organized sit-in on Sunday and Monday outside UNRWA's offices in Gaza strip in protest against the reduction of services.
The protesters chanted angry slogans, condemning UNRWA new policy that affects poor families, calling for increasing UNRWA services.
The Agency's new policy of reduction caused anger among the residents who receive aid from the UNRWA, estimated at about 21 thousand families.
UNRWA Commissioner General Filippo Grandi has declared on Thursday that most of donor countries will not provide financial support for the agency in the next phase.
The Popular Committee for the Refugees stated that the agency refused to meet them under the pretext of security reasons, expressing its refusal to the reduction of the agency's financial services especially in light of the families' extreme suffering and poverty.
The committee called on the UNRWA to reconsider its decision to reduce its services especially with the families' difficult living conditions.
The Popular Committees have organized sit-in on Sunday and Monday outside UNRWA's offices in Gaza strip in protest against the reduction of services.
24 mar 2013
Five Palestinian children killed in Syria
The United Nation agency for Palestinian refugees is reporting that three separate incidents in Syria claimed last week the lives of five children. One of the children died in Dera’a and four others in Damascus.
According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA, Mohammad Al-Khateeb (aged 14) was killed on March 15 by a bullet as he was returning home on foot after buying bread from a bakery in his neighborhood in Dera’a.
On March 19, Hisham Mahmoud (aged 10) and Farhat Mubarak (aged 11), were killed at the crossroad of Yazour and Safad Streets in Yarmouk, Damascus. They were returning home from classes at a community-run learning center when an explosive shell detonated nearby, killing them instantly.
In a separate incident on the same day, two brothers, Ali Mijel (aged 14) and Abdullah Mijel (aged 15), were killed along with their aunt and cousin when an explosive shell hit their home on Hittin Street in Sbeineh Camp.
Prior to the Syrian Civil War, there were approximately one million Palestinian refugees living in the country. Last November, the PLO estimated that over 600 Palestinians died in the war, though this number has risen considerably since. At least 20,000 Palestinians have been able to flee the country to Lebanon, while the Jordanian government continues to send Palestinian refugees back, claiming that they are not affected by the conflict in the same way other Syrian civilians are. However, many believe that the as refugees, the Palestinians are actually more vulnerable than other groups.
Following the killing of 30 other Palestinians last month, Christopher Gunness, a spokesperson for UNRWA, told +972 that “refugees by their nature are already among the most vulnerable people in any society, and in a situation like in Syria clearly they are more vulnerable.”
According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRWA, Mohammad Al-Khateeb (aged 14) was killed on March 15 by a bullet as he was returning home on foot after buying bread from a bakery in his neighborhood in Dera’a.
On March 19, Hisham Mahmoud (aged 10) and Farhat Mubarak (aged 11), were killed at the crossroad of Yazour and Safad Streets in Yarmouk, Damascus. They were returning home from classes at a community-run learning center when an explosive shell detonated nearby, killing them instantly.
In a separate incident on the same day, two brothers, Ali Mijel (aged 14) and Abdullah Mijel (aged 15), were killed along with their aunt and cousin when an explosive shell hit their home on Hittin Street in Sbeineh Camp.
Prior to the Syrian Civil War, there were approximately one million Palestinian refugees living in the country. Last November, the PLO estimated that over 600 Palestinians died in the war, though this number has risen considerably since. At least 20,000 Palestinians have been able to flee the country to Lebanon, while the Jordanian government continues to send Palestinian refugees back, claiming that they are not affected by the conflict in the same way other Syrian civilians are. However, many believe that the as refugees, the Palestinians are actually more vulnerable than other groups.
Following the killing of 30 other Palestinians last month, Christopher Gunness, a spokesperson for UNRWA, told +972 that “refugees by their nature are already among the most vulnerable people in any society, and in a situation like in Syria clearly they are more vulnerable.”
Refugees block motorcade of UNRWA director in Gaza
Dozens of Palestinian refugees intercepted the motorcade of the director of UNRWA operations in Gaza, Robert Turner, in Deir A-Balah city on Saturday.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the refugees were protesting the continued reduction in UNRWA services.
They said that the refugees allowed the motorcade to proceed after they conveyed their message.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the refugees were protesting the continued reduction in UNRWA services.
They said that the refugees allowed the motorcade to proceed after they conveyed their message.
23 mar 2013
Action group: 1130 Palestinians killed in Syria
The action group for Palestinians in Syria has documented the names of 1130 Palestinian refugees who were killed in Syria since March 2011 in the ongoing violence in that war-torn Arab country.
It said in a statement on Saturday that three Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours as shelling continued on Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus and Aydoon refugee camp in Homs.
The group said that Husseiniya refugee camp was under tight siege while inhabitants of Hindarat refugee camp warned of a humanitarian disaster as most basic food supplies were unavailable.
It said in a statement on Saturday that three Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours as shelling continued on Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus and Aydoon refugee camp in Homs.
The group said that Husseiniya refugee camp was under tight siege while inhabitants of Hindarat refugee camp warned of a humanitarian disaster as most basic food supplies were unavailable.
21 mar 2013
Refugees Department in Hamas: UNRWA's trips are "suspicious"
Department of Refugee Affairs in Hamas movement issued on Thursday a press release in which it says that the trips organized by UNRWA for the children of Palestinian refugees are "suspicious".
The department points to a previous trip organized by the UNRWA for the refugee children in eighth and ninth grade to the United States of America, where they attended an exhibition of images of the Holocaust, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2010.
It also expresses in its statement its concern about the voyage scheduled to take place within days, as it learned that the UNRWA is seeking to organize a trip for two groups of students in the coming days.
The statement reviews one of the UNRWA's programs "Peace Starts Here", based on teaching human rights, as the department says that this program aims to normalize with the occupation that had displaced them from their land.
The department has confirmed, according to its sources, that the cost of the coming trip exceeds $150 thousand, and that the UNRWA had better spend this money, collected in the name of the Palestinian people, on the poor families.
The statement demanded an end to this policy of wasting money, and appealed to the responsible authorities and the Ministry of Education to stop these "suspicious and irresponsible" trips.
The department points to a previous trip organized by the UNRWA for the refugee children in eighth and ninth grade to the United States of America, where they attended an exhibition of images of the Holocaust, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2010.
It also expresses in its statement its concern about the voyage scheduled to take place within days, as it learned that the UNRWA is seeking to organize a trip for two groups of students in the coming days.
The statement reviews one of the UNRWA's programs "Peace Starts Here", based on teaching human rights, as the department says that this program aims to normalize with the occupation that had displaced them from their land.
The department has confirmed, according to its sources, that the cost of the coming trip exceeds $150 thousand, and that the UNRWA had better spend this money, collected in the name of the Palestinian people, on the poor families.
The statement demanded an end to this policy of wasting money, and appealed to the responsible authorities and the Ministry of Education to stop these "suspicious and irresponsible" trips.
Hamas delegation visits the protesters outside UNRWA HQ in Beirut
A Hamas movement's delegation headed by Raafat Morra, the movement's political official, visited on Wednesday the displaced Palestinian refugees from Syria who are protesting since 8 days ago permanently outside UNRWA headquarters in Beirut.
The delegation's visit came in solidarity with the protesters, and in support of their demands of providing shelters, health care, education, and urgent financial aid, Morra explained.
He called on UNRWA to implement the protestors' human and fair demands, stressing that UNRWA organization is delinquent in providing aid supplies for the displaced refugees who are increasing under international silence.
The delegation's visit came in solidarity with the protesters, and in support of their demands of providing shelters, health care, education, and urgent financial aid, Morra explained.
He called on UNRWA to implement the protestors' human and fair demands, stressing that UNRWA organization is delinquent in providing aid supplies for the displaced refugees who are increasing under international silence.
20 mar 2013
14 Palestinian refugees killed in Syria's camps within 24 hours
Fourteen Palestinian refugees died in the bombing that targeted the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, near the capital Damascus, within the past twenty-four hours. The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Wednesday that two Palestinians and a Syrian citizen were killed during the shelling of Orouba neighborhood in the Yarmouk refugee camp, in southern Damascus, while another refugee died in shelling of the entrance to the camp on Wednesday morning.
The Working Group added that another young man died from wounds he sustained few days ago and that seven Palestinians were killed by the bombing of the town of al-Dhobabiya and the Husseiniya camp on the fringes of Damascus.
The sources also reported that two Palestinian women died from wounds they sustained during attacks and that a Palestinian youth from the residents of Khan Eshieh refugee camp was killed during clashes in the vicinity of Khan Danon camp.
The Working Group noted that the camps of Yarmouk, Husseiniya, Ramdan, Khan Eshieh, Sbeineh and Neirab have been exposed to heavy shelling.
The Working Group added that another young man died from wounds he sustained few days ago and that seven Palestinians were killed by the bombing of the town of al-Dhobabiya and the Husseiniya camp on the fringes of Damascus.
The sources also reported that two Palestinian women died from wounds they sustained during attacks and that a Palestinian youth from the residents of Khan Eshieh refugee camp was killed during clashes in the vicinity of Khan Danon camp.
The Working Group noted that the camps of Yarmouk, Husseiniya, Ramdan, Khan Eshieh, Sbeineh and Neirab have been exposed to heavy shelling.