On September 21, 2023, Danielle Tegang, representing Law for Palestine and the Human Rights and Democracy Media Centers SHAMS, presented an oral statement during the 17th Meeting of the 54th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council. The statement was delivered under Item 3, which pertains to Promoting and Protecting All Human Rights, Including the Right to Development.

Watch the oral statement recording here, click

Here is the content of the speech:

This statement is on behalf of Shams and Law for Palestine

Mr. President,

We’re deeply concerned about ongoing Israeli colonial practices affecting Palestinian education in East Jerusalem since its illegal annexation. Recent Israeli policies have aimed to erase Palestinian identity and narrative from school curricula, replacing them with Israeli perspectives, and suppressing Palestinian symbols. New Palestinian schools and classrooms have been prohibited, and Palestinian teachers face scrutiny and dismissal. These actions violate international humanitarian law and human rights.

Furthermore, the recent 800 million shekel plan for East Jerusalem’s education sector raises concerns about its true intentions regarding educational control in this occupied and unlawfully annexed city.

Distinguished representatives,

Consider the daily plight of many Palestinian students and teachers in East Jerusalem, who must navigate through 13 military checkpoints just to reach their schools. They also endure strict measures, inspections, and even the threat of arrest and harassment.

We urge the UN and member states to oppose these policies and the Israel’s illegal annexation of Jerusalem, as it violates international law, constitutes an act of aggression, a crime under the International Criminal Court jurisdiction, and a threat to international peace and security. Member states should employ the full range of available legal avenues to seek an end to these unlawful practices.

Thank you.