Amnesty criticizes Federal Council for its dealings with Palestinian NGOs
Published: Tuesday, Nov 28th 2023, 12:11
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The human rights organization Amnesty International has criticized Switzerland's dealings with Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Stopping cooperation with three such organizations would increase mistrust of Palestinian civil society.
The Federal Council did not adequately justify its decision to terminate the agreements, Amnesty International announced on Tuesday. It had not explained which statements by the organizations concerned were considered hate speech under international law. However, this transparency would have been necessary.
According to the communiqué, the decision contradicts the priorities of Swiss foreign policy. This policy focuses on the protection of those who defend human rights.
Last Wednesday, the Federal Council decided to end its cooperation with three Palestinian non-governmental organizations. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) and Al-Shabaka/The Palestinian Policy Network are affected, as became known in the days that followed.
"Non-compliant behavior"
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said at a media conference last Wednesday that the decision was due to non-compliant behavior with regard to the Code of Conduct and the contractual anti-discrimination clause.
The NGOs are contractually obliged to be careful with their communication, Cassis said last week. Switzerland's cooperation program must also be adapted due to the "turning point" on 7 October.
Following the Hamas massacres in southern Israel, the federal government audited a total of six Palestinian and five Israeli non-governmental organizations that are partners of the Swiss Cooperation Programme for the Middle East. According to the authorities, no irregularities were found in eight of the organizations.
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