URU, Alm.del - 2009-10 - Bilag 144: Henvendelse af 11. marts 2010 fra EMHRN om angreb på israelske ngo'er

Brussels, 10 March 2010RE: RESTRICTING THE SPACE OF ISRAELI HUMANORGANISATIONS WORKING IN ISRAEL AND THE OPTDear Minister Moratinos,Dear High Representative Ashton,Aprodev, CIDSE, Front Line, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), theInternational Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and the Observatory for the Protectionof Human Rights Defenders, a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), are concerned about the recent attempts of theIsraeli government to restrict the space and freedom of Israeli civil society organisations to operate inIsrael and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). These attempts are aimed at de-legitimisingand severely restricting the work of civil society organisations. They represent a clear threat todemocratic standards in Israel and the unimpeded work of human rights defenders. As such, webelieve that the EU and its Member States must address this situation with urgency.Proposed legislation to curtail foreign funding to Israeli NGOsOn 14 February 2010, a government-backed bill passed preliminary reading at the Israeli Knesset.Under the pretext of increasing transparency of foreign funding of NGOs, the bill restricts the freedomsof Israeli civil society organisations. It stipulates that any organisation “seeking to influence publicopinion in Israel”, should be deemed a “political organisation” rather than one serving a charitablepurpose. Such organisations will be required to register with the Political Party Registrar, and lose tax-exempt status. Furthermore, the bill requires any spokesperson of such an organisation to declare inall public appearances that they represent an organisation that receives funding from a “foreignpolitical entity”. Non-compliance with the bill will result in fines or imprisonment.This new bill seeks solely to intimidate and publicly de-legitimise these organisations and increasestate monitoring of NGO activities. Indeed, there is no need for such a legislation as each NGO inIsrael is already required to list its donors and other financial information on its website and to reportannually to the government, specifying donations from foreign governments and their purpose.Furthermore, this bill will limit the NGOs’ capacity to receive foreign funding.The Constitutional Committee of the Knesset plans to hold a vote on the bill on 17 March 2010. Giventhe political composition inside the Knesset, it is highly probable that the bill will be adopted.Other forms of harassment against human rights organisationsThis bill follows a broader de-legitimisation campaign orchestrated by extreme right-wingorganisations. It comes in addition to other forms of harassment of and restrictions on the work of civilsociety organisations. This includes the arrest of those participating in peaceful demonstrationsagainst the war on Gaza, the separation wall in the West Bank, and the practice of house demolitionand the eviction of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Of particular concern is also the government-RIGHTSDEFENDERSAND

backed Infiltration Prevention Bill, which is currently discussed in the Knesset. The new provisionswould allow prison sentences of up to 7 years for staff and volunteers of Israeli aid organisations whohave provided assistance to asylum seekers or migrants who have irregularly entered the country.These recent efforts to interfere with the work of Israeli and international human rights defenders andorganisations follow a pattern of continued acts of harassment by the Israeli government againstPalestinian human rights defenders, encompassing arbitrary arrests and detentions and restrictions totheir freedom of movement, including international travel bans.

In accordance with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, which recognise the importance“to ensure the safety and protect the rights of human rights defenders”, and Article 2 of the EU-IsraelAssociation agreement which provides that “Relations between the Parties, as well as all theprovisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democraticprinciples, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element ofthis Agreement”, we call on the EU and its Member States to urge Israel to:--Stop impeding and criminalising the work of civil society organisations in Israel and to respecttheir freedoms of association and expression.Withdraw the “foreign funding” bill and refrain from introducing any law under whichindependent organisations would be redefined as “political” and/or jeopardising their foreignfunding.

We, the undersigned organisations urge the EU to raise the above mentioned issues with Israel at thehighest political level, including during the visit of High Representative and Vice-Commissioner Ashtonto Israel in mid-March and at the EU-Israel Association Council due to take place on 23 March 2010.We may recall that when other Mediterranean countries have adopted measures aiming at restrictingthe funding and work of civil society organisations, the EU has raised its concerns and condemnedthese measures. We also invite the High Representative Ashton to meet with civil societyorganisations during her visit to Israel.We express our sincere hope that you will take these considerations and requests into account.Yours Sincerely,

APRODEV

CIDSE

Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

Front Line

International Rehabilitation Council

for Torture Victims

International Federation for Human Rights

World Organisation Against Torture