The Palestinian Foundation for Human Rights (Shahed) has sent an official memorandum to the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), calling for the immediate reversal of the recent decisions to dismiss or suspend a number of the Agency's employees, considering that these measures "lack legal bases and contradict the principles of international justice and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice."

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In its note, Shahed expressed its grave concern that UNRWA continues to make administrative decisions against its staff based on unsubstantiated 'israeli' allegations, without adopting a professional and independent investigative mechanism, considering that this approach represents a violation of the principle of the presumption of innocence stipulated in international law and a violation of the United Nations Administrative Regulations that guarantee the job protection of its staff.

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The advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 22 October 2025 clearly stressed that "there is no evidence of bias or deviation from the humanitarian mandate of UNRWA or its staff", making the continued application of dismissal decisions without legal review a violation of the essence of that UN judicial opinion and undermines the Agency's impartiality and independence.

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Shahed stressed that defending the rights of UNRWA staff is an integral part of protecting the Agency's mandate itself, stressing that any unjustified infringement of its staff would weaken its humanitarian work in light of the catastrophic conditions of Palestine refugees, particularly in the Gaza Strip

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Shahed called on the UNRWA Commissioner-General to take urgent corrective measures, including:

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1. Reversal of dismissal or suspension decisions that are not based on proven legal evidence.

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2. Forming an independent and impartial investigative committee with the participation of competent human rights institutions.

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3. Ensure that employees are protected from external political and media pressures.

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4. Reaffirm the independence and impartiality of UNRWA based on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

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Palestinian Organization for Human Rights (WATCH)

Palestinian clans demand UNRWA reverse dismissal of 70 staff over 'israeli' claims. Full article below.