PCHR Director Raji Sourani Begins First Mission to United States in 11 years

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On 26 September, 2011, Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) began his first mission to the United States in 11 years. On 26 September, Mr. Sourani participated at a conference at Columbia University in New York. The conference, organised by Columbia Law School and the Centre for Constitutional Rights, was entitled “International Justice in Practice: Challenges in the Search for Accountability” and focused on universal jurisdiction. Mr. Sourani participated in a panel comprising Maria LaHood, and Katie Gallagher of CCR, and Colonel (Ret’d) Desmond Travers, who participated in the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. Mr. Sourani spoke of the urgent need for accountability and the rule of law in the Gaza Strip and Palestine, and detailed PCHR’s efforts to achieve accountability for victims.

Following the conference, Mr. Sourani participated in “A Conversation with Raji Sourani” hosted by Michael Ratner, President Emeritus of the Centre for Constitutional Rights.

On Tuesday, Mr. Sourani was interviewed on Democracy Now! where he discussed the pursuit of accountability and the current session of the UN General Assembly. Mr. Sourani then gave a talk at New York University (NYU), hosted by the Kevorkian Centre. Mr. Sourani discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, and highlighted all people’s fundamental right to the rule of law and justice.

Mr. Sourani then gave a briefing at the United Nations entitled “Human Rights in Palestine and the role of the 66th General Assembly.” This event was co-sponsored by the NGO Working Group on Israel and Palestine, the Global Policy Forum, and the US Federation for Middle East Peace.

On Wednesday, 28 September, Mr. Sourani met a number of States representatives, including France, the Netherlands, and Egypt, in order to discuss the implementation of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict’s Report at the current session of the General Assembly. Mr. Sourani also met with the Assistant Secretary-General at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr. Sourani is accompanied to the US by Daragh Murray, PCHR International Legal Officer, and Chantal Meloni, PCHR International Legal Unit. The International Legal Unit conducted a number of other meetings focused on the progress of the UN Fact-Finding Mission Report at the UN General Assembly, and also met representatives of the United Kingdom, and Portugal.

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