Press Releases

Released on the Occasion of Today’s UNHCR World Refugee Day: BADIL SURVEY of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2002

BADIL Resource Center
20 June 2003
For Immediate Release


Released on the Occasion of Today’s UNHCR World Refugee Day:

BADIL SURVEY of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2002

(BADIL Resource Center, June 2003, 200 pages. Available in English and Arabic. ISSN 1728-1679)

 

The new annual Survey of Palestinian Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons 2002 provides an overview of one of the largest and longest standing unresolved cases of refugees and displaced populations in the world today. It is estimated that one in three refugees today is Palestinian.

This annual Survey endeavors to address the lack of information or misinformation about Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons, and to encounter unconstructive political arguments that suggest that the issue of Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons can be resolved outside the realm of international law and practice applicable to all other refugees and displaced populations.

ORDERS should be addressed to [email protected] or BADIL fax: 00972-2-2747346. Individual copies are available for US $10. Discounts are available for bulk orders. Please check also the flyer and order form/2002 Survey published at: www.badil.org/Publications/Flyer.pdf

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Summary of Contents

Each chapter includes basic background information and highlights for the previous year. Chapter one provides a short historical background to the ROOT CAUSES and scope of Palestinian mass displacement. Chapter two examines the DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS of the Palestinian refugee and displaced population. The third chapter examines the LEGAL STATUS of Palestinian refugees and displaced under international, regional, and domestic instruments. Chapter four provides background information on the SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons. The fifth chapter examines INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION and ASSISTANCE, while the sixth and final chapter provides an overview of the framework for DURABLE SOLUTIONS.

The Survey also provides a list of recommendations concerning implementation of the rights of Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons in the context of a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict in the Middle East, including:

1. Strengthen the Role of International Law in crafting mechanisms for international protection and durable solutions based on the rights of return, restitution and compensation.

2. Engage in further Clarification of the Legal Status of Palestinian Refugees and IDPs, in particular under the 1951 Refugee Convention and with careful appraisal of the implication of UN Resolution 194(III), in order to remedy existing protection gaps.

3. Improve Quality and Access to Relevant Data:

a. Establish a comprehensive registration system for Palestinian refugees and IDPs;
b. Correct gender discrimination in UNRWA’s registration system;
c. Provide public (especially refugee) access to the property records of the UNCCP, Israeli Custodian of Absentees’ Properties and Israeli Land Administration (ILA);
d. Provide research access to all Israeli and Arab archives containing relevant documentation.

4. Clarify Mechanism for Day-to-Day Protection and Assistance:

a. International Protection Mechanisms (including temporary protection);
b. Regional (Arab) Protection Mechanisms;
c. International and Regional Assistance Mechanisms.

5. Clarify and Establish Mechanisms for a Durable Solution: without the presence of an international protection agency at the negotiation table to promote the specific rights and choices of Palestinian refugees and IDPs, there is a real danger that such rights and choices will be ignored amidst the exchange and compromise of the negotiation process.

6. Ensure active Involvement of the Refugee Community

7. Raise Israeli Awareness of the massive human rights violations in 1948 and until today, as well as for rights, current views and demands of the Palestinian refugees

8. Establish Mechanisms to Hold to Account Persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.