US bars Palestinian delegation from UN General Assembly
Amnesty International condemns the US State Department's decision to deny visas to a high-level Palestinian delegation, including President Mahmoud Abbas
The US State Department has barred a high-level delegation from the State of Palestine from attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This marks the second consecutive year the US has taken this action, preventing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and others from attending the session.
Amnesty International's Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, called for the decision to be reversed. She stated that the move is designed to punish Palestine for pursuing international justice and accountability at institutions like the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Violation of international agreements
Rosas argued that the US action constitutes a clear violation of the UN Headquarters Agreement. She warned it sets a dangerous precedent where the host country instrumentalizes its privilege to impose arbitrary restrictions on attendance at UN meetings.
Decisions like this are setting a dangerous precedent in which the US instrumentalizes its privilege as the host country of the UN to impose arbitrary restrictions on attending the UNGA, Rosas said.
A campaign against international justice
The organization frames the visa denial as part of a broader campaign of reprisals against the concept of international justice. This campaign includes unilateral sanctions against individuals and human rights groups committed to promoting justice, according to Amnesty International.
The statement cites a disregard for binding orders from the ICJ, arrest warrants from the ICC, and resolutions from the UN General Assembly and Security Council. These actions, Amnesty contends, flagrantly undermine the international legal order.
Calls for US policy reversal
Amnesty International reiterated its call for the US to immediately revoke sanctions related to the ICC and on individuals and human rights groups. This includes sanctions imposed on ICC judges, Palestinian human rights organizations, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Instead of eroding international law, the organization urges the US to use its influence to pressure Israel. The stated goals are to end Israel's unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, dismantle its system of apartheid, and end what Amnesty describes as genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Rosas called on other UN member states to stand firmly against US attempts to dismantle international justice and multilateralism. She noted this is especially pertinent as some states take measures to end trade with Israeli settlements.
