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Saturday, October 21, 2000
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Focus on Palestine: Understanding the Right of Return
Islam Online, Washington D.C.
September 16, 2000 was a memorable date for many
Palestinians. Hundreds of Palestinians and their sympathizers gathered for
a “Right of
Return”
rally in Washington DC. But why September 16th? Because, maybe, a Saturday ensures greater turnout for a rally? Not at all. That date, September 16th, spells massacre for most Palestinians. On September 16, 1982, more than 2,000 Palestinians were massacred in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. The horrific event momentarily shocked the world; however, within days, the Palestinian refugees returned not to their homeland, but to being marginalized in international affairs.
Many speak of the right of return, but few of us understand what
that is. The phrase is used to refer to a right much stronger than a
sentiment that stirs Palestinian refugees to long to return. On the
contrary, the right of return is guaranteed by the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (Declaration). Guaranteed, at least, in principle.
Adopted in 1948, the Declaration begins with the "recognition of
the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all
members of the human family is [sic] the foundation of freedom, justice
and peace in the world." Article 13 of the Declaration explicitly
addresses the freedom to move about within one's country as well as to
move in and out of one's country.
- Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within
the borders of each state.
- Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and
to return to his country.
It is a known fact that Israel has denied the freedom of
Palestinians to move about in the Occupied territory. Both Palestinians
and Israeli Arabs (those who were naturalized as Israeli citizens) are
routinely stopped for random checks, questioned, and humiliated by Israeli
soldiers and check-point guards. In addition, Israel has been adamant
about allowing the implementation of Article 13-2. Since it unilaterally
announced statehood in 1948, Israel has refused the right of Palestinians
to return to their homeland. On the other hand, Jews of Ethiopian,
Russian, and Polish descent, among others, who have no right nor have ever
visited the Occupied territory, have been warmly received by Israel. The
hypocritical element in the implementation of the right of return is too
obvious.
An additional dimension to be noted is the defiant attitude that
Israel takes towards implementation of United Nations General Assembly
Resolution 194. This Resolution unequivocally grants that "refugees
wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors
should be permitted to do so at  the earliest practicable date, and that
compensation should be paid for  the property of those choosing not to
return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of
international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or
authorities responsible." Not for one year, or two years, but for five
decades, every member country of the U.N. General Assembly has reaffirmed
the legitimacy of Resolution 194.
Members of the Right to Return
Coalition,
who organized the September 16, 2000 rally, summed up their efforts
as follows: 1) to lobby the international community to fulfill its legal
and moral obligations towards the Palestinian refugees based on the
Declaration; and, 2) to hold Israel accountable for the implementation of
United Nations Resolutions which uphold the inalienable right of
Palestinians to return to their homeland and to restitution of all their
confiscated and destroyed property.
As any Palestinian will remind you, the right of return is
undeniably linked to peace. Simply put, no return equals no peace.
Editor's Note:
To view the full declaration on human rights, visit,
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
Society
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