ECLJ Addresses UN Human Rights Council on Plight of Palestinian Christians

 

Representatives of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) are currently participating in the Sixth Session of the United Nations' Human Rights Council in Geneva.

 

GENEVA September 21, 2007

 

ECLJ representative, Grgor PUPPINCK, had the opportunity to give an oral statement before the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations concerning the dramatic situation of the Christian minority in the Palestinian Territories.  This statement was delivered during a session of the Council dedicated to the human rights situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

 

It's very important to note that no other State or NGO had spoken about the situation of these Christians, who are in grave danger of extinction in this region.

 

The ECLJ denounced the untenable pressure that is facing the Christian community and which has caused its unprecedented exodus.  ECLJ cited the example of a Christian woman, a professor at the University of Palestine, who was kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam last August.  Christian schools, which are open to Muslim students, have also been attacked by Islamic gunmen.

 

Finally, the ECLJ spokesman underlined the cultural and political importance of the Christian presence in this region, as they are really a third party to the ongoing conflict, and stated that their presence is testimony to a possible coexistence of various religions in the Holy Land.

 

Puppinck recommended to the Council that the United Nations, when reviewing the human rights situation in this region, must dedicate specific attention to the plight of Christians.  He called on the international community to ensure the respect of the fundamental rights of the Christian and to ensure their safety and survival in the region.

 

See the Oral Statement in French, in English.