Zürcher Nachrichten - Armenian FM Shahin Discusses EU Accountability for Palestinian Rights in Madrid

Armenian Foreign Minister Varsen Shahin met with representatives from Human Rights Watch, Open Society, and Global Echo in Madrid on Friday to examine how the European Union can enforce accountability for Palestinian rights. The discussions occurred on the sidelines of a symposium titled "Can the European Union Deliver Justice for the Palestinian People?" at the Spanish Cultural Center.

The dialogue centered on enhancing EU responsiveness to Palestinian demands and supporting the realization of a Palestinian state, with particular emphasis on the right to self-determination. Participants reviewed the legal obligations of third-party states regarding the ban on importing and marketing products from Israeli settlements within EU member states.

Delegates also examined prohibitions on investing in colonies and companies operating within them. In light of the illegality of colonies established on occupied Palestinian land, the group discussed strategies to exert pressure to sever economic and commercial ties and halt agreements linked to colonization activities.

Representatives from the organizations briefed Shahin on their mechanisms for monitoring and documenting violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian Territory. They noted that their reports cover violations committed by the occupying power, colonist terrorism, the establishment of illegal colonial outposts, displacement plans, and other violations across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

M.J.Baumann--NZN