DaysofPal- The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has warned that Palestinian children are becoming increasingly vulnerable as human rights organizations and humanitarian groups are forced to scale back or suspend their operations across the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.
In a statement issued on Monday, the committee condemned the Israeli recent practice of labeling human rights defenders and civil society organizations as “terrorists,” raising serious concerns about the impact on child protection.
According to the committee, these measures have been accompanied by military raids, travel restrictions, financial sanctions, threats of arrest, destruction of records, and the risk of secondary sanctions targeting organizations that support their work.
The committee expressed alarm that organizations dedicated to assisting children are being forced to reduce their activities due to sustained harassment, threats, bans, and reputational attacks.
“For more than three decades, these organizations have played a vital role in defending Palestinian children, including representing them in Israeli military courts and documenting serious violations committed against them,” the statement said.
It warned that without the presence of these groups, Palestinian children would face even greater risks, with violations of their rights likely to continue without accountability.
The committee called on the Israeli occupation to immediately lift restrictions imposed on child rights defenders and humanitarian organizations.
It also urged the international community to take action to ensure accountability for measures targeting human rights defenders.
“Child rights defenders continue to support Palestinian children and families under extremely dangerous conditions. They must be protected, not punished,” the committee added.
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