Geneva, June 26, 2023 – A significant side event, organized by Law for Palestine in collaboration with Shams, took place at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, shedding light on “Israel’s Arrest Policy Against Palestinian University Students and its Weaponization to Erode Palestinian Identity and Consolidate Colonialism.”
Distinguished experts and activists gathered to address the systematic detention of Palestinian university students and its profound implications for Palestinian identity and self-determination.
Moderated by Ghada Alrayan, the HRC Coordinator for Law for Palestine, the event drew the participation of officials and representatives from the EU and various missions in Geneva, alongside human rights activists and researchers. The UN Special Rapporteur on Education, Ms. Farida Shaheed, was amongst the attendees, highlighting the significance of the subject.
Prominent lawyer Adi Mansour, representing Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the political arrest of Palestinian student citizens of Israel. He emphasized the profound implications of these arrests on eroding Palestinian identity within the colonial context. Drawing from his extensive experience as a lawyer for detained Palestinian students in Israeli universities, Mansour provided valuable insights into the discriminatory charges they often encounter.
Elina Steinerte, a former chair Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and a current member of the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture, delivered valuable input on the legal aspects of arbitrary detention and the potential human rights violations related to Israel’s detention policy against Palestinian students. Steinerte delved into the findings of the Working Group, highlighting the possible consequences of the Israeli detention policy against Palestinians, including the consideration of these actions as “Crimes Against Humanity.”
Ihsan Adel, the Chair of Law for Palestine and author of the L4P report focusing on Israel’s Arrest Policy Against Palestinian University Students, provided a comprehensive overview of the report’s findings. Adel highlighted the reliance on military orders in Israel’s detention policy and how it strategically targets political activism and the development of future Palestinian leadership. The policy’s ultimate objective seems to be stifling collective action and suppressing any movement advocating for Palestinian self-determination and an end to the occupation.
Throughout the event, multiple pieces of evidence were discussed, revealing the deliberate use of detentions to silence voices advocating for Palestinian rights. The policy specifically targets leaders and activists within universities, attempting to undermine their pivotal role in advocating for change.
The side event served as a critical platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Palestinian students and highlighted the importance of safeguarding their right to education and political participation.
