5/9/2025

22/2025

ICHR Condemns the U.S. Administration’s Decision to Impose Sanctions on Palestinian Human Rights Organizations

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) expresses its strong condemnation and deep denunciation of the decision issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to impose sanctions on three of the most prominent Palestinian human rights institutions: the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, and Al-Haq.

This decision constitutes a dangerous and unacceptable targeting of Palestinian civil society’s work in defending human rights, and an attempt to criminalize the legitimate role of these institutions, which enjoy an outstanding international reputation, maintain close cooperation with the UN and regional organizations, and carry out essential responsibilities in documenting violations and holding perpetrators accountable under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The ICHR views this measure as part of repeated attempts to silence Palestinian human rights voices and restrict their work, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to hold Israeli occupation authorities accountable before the International Criminal Court. Criminalizing Palestinian human rights work sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the entire international human rights protection system.

The ICHR calls on the U.S. administration to immediately reverse this unjustified decision, respect its obligations under international law, and refrain from obstructing the work of Palestinian human rights organizations. It also urges the international community, the United Nations system, Special Rapporteurs, and all human rights defenders to reject this unfair decision and provide protection and support to the targeted institutions.

Defending human rights is not a crime, and targeting human rights defenders serves only policies of impunity and undermines the prospects for justice and peace.

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