Palestinian Return Centre (PRC)

8/19/2019 Palestinian Return Centre (PRC)

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1THE PALESTINIAN RETURN CENTRE


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2 THE PALESTINIAN RETURN CENTRE

OVERVIEW

T he Palestinian Return Centre is an independentconsultancy focusing on the historical, political andlegal aspects of Palestinian Refugees.

The organization offers expert advice to various actors andagencies on the question of Palestinian Refugees withinthe context of the Nakba - The catastrophe following the

forced displacement of Palestinians in 1948 - and servesas an information repository on other related aspects of thePalestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict. It specializesin the research, analysis, and monitor of issues pertaining tothe dispersed Palestinians and their internationally recognizedlegal right to return.


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From the Director

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Palestinian ReturnCentre (PRC). The organization, as the heading states, hasbeen at the heart of the Palestinian issue since 1996. We have

been at the forefront in arguing the case for Palestinian refugees,now numbering 7 million from a global Palestinian populationof 11 million. The refugee issue was central and still remainscentral to a just solution to the question of Palestine.

It was the first UN mediator, the Swiss diplomat Folk Bernadotte,

who said “No Settlement can be just and complete if recognitionis not accorded to the right of the Arab refugee to return to thehome from which he has been dislodge. It would be an offenceagainst the principles of elemental justice if these innocentvictims of the conflict were denied the right to return to theirhomes while Jewish immigrants flow into Palestine, and indeed,offer the threat of permanent replacement of the Arab refugeeswho have been rooted in the land for centuries’’.

This was 1948 and nearly seven decades later, the plight ofPalestinian refugees still remains unresolved and their basichuman right have become subjected to political bartering.

Our direct involvement with Palestinians refugees has given usunique knowledge and expertise for advocating their plight.

Majed Al Zeer


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We have done this on various political levels, from the UN, EU andof course here in the UK. We are proud to announce that PRC is

now a United Nations accredited NGO. This great privilege allowsus to take part in UN conferences and seminars in raising ourconcerns and shaping political outcomes.

We’ve coordinated numerous political delegations; one was thelargest of its kind with 55 MPs who visited Gaza. Through ourdelegation to Syria, in 2010, we addressed the grim situation of

Palestinian refugees fleeing violence and persecution in Iraq. Weworked with both UN refugee agencies UNRWA and UNHCRand the Syrian government to find temporary settlements for

them. We’ve followed some of the refugees all the way to Brazil

to ensure their well being.

This is our work; we have displayed them here for you to see.

We are fully committed to the victims of the Nakba and want tosee a resolution to their plight based on international law.

The passage of time does not invalidate human rights and thefacts of Bernadotte’s statements reigns true today and for the

future. Human rights and justice does not change with shiftingpolitics. They remain constant. Palestinian Refugee issue was atthe core and still remains the core of the Palestinian issue.

I hope this introductory book not only provides you with good

examples of our work and what PRC stands for but also givesyou some insight into the importance of addressing the plight of

Palestinian refugees.


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INTRODUCTION

This introductory booklet presents the main goals,objectives and key activities of the Palestinian ReturnCentre (PRC). It also presents some of our major

achievements over the years.

Since its founding in 1996, PRC has strived to defend the rightsof Palestinian refugees, raise awareness of their plight and bringthe issue of refugees back into the political agenda. PRC alsoaims to preserve Palestinian identity and culture, especiallyacross Europe.

PRC is now an established NGO that provides information,analysis and resource in understanding the plight of Palestinianrefugees. It is an international voice and has been accreditedby United Nations. This unique privilege entitles PRC toparticipate in sessions organised by the UN Committee onthe Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in raising

awareness and shaping outcomes.

This introductory booklet outlines our goals and aspirationsas an organization, namely, to defend and promote the rightof return of Palestinian refugees, raise awareness, inform andeducate, address humanitarian concerns, preserve Palestinianidentity and support Palestinian refugees.


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After outlining the organisations goals and perspectives, theremainder of the book will demonstrate, in greater detail,how we have strived to achieve these goals and documentsome of our work.

PRC has always maintained the position that a resolution tothe question of Palestine will not be achieved by ignoring therights of Palestinian refugees, who represent three quartersof the global Palestinian population. It is for this reason andin recognition of the fact that lasting peace will not comeabout without justice that PRC has been striving persistentlyfor nearly two decades.


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OUR GOALS

1 Defend and Promote the Right of ReturnPRC strives to defend the right of return on all levelsincluding academia, media and politics. Our work also

aims to clear the muddied political arena and place the issue ofrefugees and the right of return in its correct historical and legalposition. This is the only fair and just way to settle the plightof Palestinian refugees and the broader Israeli - Palestinianconflict. The Right of Return is a moral and legal right enshrinedin international law through the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights, numerous international conventions and UNresolutions. This basic human right, to return to ones land, isdenied to Palestinians due to political reasons.

The political process has been a total failure for the refugees.Since the peace process, beginning in the 90s, there has beena shameful oversight of the rights of 7.1 million Palestinians.

In confronting this trend, the centre aims at promoting therights of Palestinian refugees using all possible means onvarious platforms, national and international.

In upholding this crucial goal PRC has established voicewithin the UN, EU, national governments and also amongstcivic organizations across Europe.


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2 Raise Awareness

There are many misinformation surrounding Palestinianrefugees, from the birth of their plight in 1948, known as

the Nakba, their status under international law, their currentcomposition and situation and their position within the

political process. The general lack of knowledge and apathyhave lead to political neglect and humanitarian problemswhich PRC is committed to changing.

The plight of refugees was the central concern at the dawnof the conflict. Over the years there has been a slow erosionof this central issue due to changes of facts on the ground.According to current estimates, the global Palestinian

population is 11 Million. Of them 7.1 Million are refugees.Their political and human rights have been denied for over sixdecades and their suffering is greeted with muted response. Toredress this failure PRC aims to raise awareness amongst thepublic, key decision makers and national and internationalagencies about the plight of Palestinian refugees and returnthe political process to this core issue.


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3

Inform and Educate

Within Europe, even though there is no paucity ofinformation, there still remains a general lack of

understanding about the central issues relating to the

question of Palestine and in particular the refugees. Amongst

the propaganda of the early Zionist was their denial of the

existence of Palestinians. It then denied its own culpability

for the expulsion of Palestinians from their land. Then against

the wishes of the international community, it denied the right

of Palestinians to return to their land. And up till now it has

continually tried to dissolve the plight of refugees by various

means, especially through changing facts on the ground.

Deconstructing this narrative has been a major part of our

work and therefore PRC has taken great care in maintaining a

strong academic background, in research and analysis of every

event relating to refugees. PRC has many researchers and

maintains a very close relation with research centre’s aroundthe world. Through conferences, seminars, publications and

public lectures, PRC ensures that the true information about

Palestinian refugees is made accessible. PRC also takes part in

seminars and workshops across universities in the UK.


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4Preserve Palestinian Identity

The Palestinian community is fragmented, millionsare prevented from returning to their country and as

a consequence are scattered across the globe. PRC strivesto maintain and enhance the strong bond that already existsbetween Palestinian communities in diasporas. It was oneof the hopes of early Zionists that Palestinians in exile wouldforget and the bond between them and their land would simplydissolve over time and new generations of Palestinians wouldlose their Palestinian identity. This has been not been the caseas Palestinians all over the world are still seeking their right toreturn to their land.

Palestine Gallery

The Palestine Gallery is a non-governmental, non-profitorganisation, which aims to promote Palestinian arts and

culture in the United Kingdom.

The PG is the culmination of a deep aspiration of the PRC for

a venue dedicated specifically to the promotion and support ofart. The main objectives of the PG are:

- To create and promulgate Palestinian cultural activities andprojects in the UK

- To establish a network of communications and interactionamongst the different cultural centres and institutions, in

Palestine, the UK and worldwide.


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- To document and make accessible the work of Palestinianartists and art work by non Palestinians related to Palestine.

- To develop and encourage anawareness of the culture and artin Palestinian communities in the diaspora.

- To provide an opportunity for young visiting Palestinian artiststo exchange ideas and experiences with the public in Britain,and encourage a cultural dialogue.

The venue is located right in the heart of London, very close toBritish Library and the new international Kings Cross Terminal.It consists of several gallery areas, a conference hall, a cafe, abookshop and a library.

The sources of PG revenue are donations and project-specific

grants. The project is financed with the generous donation ofHH Sheikh Sultan Al Qasemi, Ruler of the Emirates of Sharjah.


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5 Support Palestinian Refuges

PRC provides direct support to Palestinian refugees.There is still a growing Palestinians refugee crises as

increasing numbers of Palestinians are exiled from their landor their place of temporary settlement. Some have recently

fled violence and persecution and are forcefully displacedthree or four times during their life.PRC provides directassistance to countless Palestinian refugees, to the new andold, around the world. The assistance provided by PRC hasenabled some Palestinians to develop their own organisationsand institutions to support their community and defend theirrights.


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Brieng with UNRWA head of reconstruction Charles Higgins, Nahr el-Bared camp


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Delegation to Tayeb Erdogan, Prime

Minister of Turkey

OUR WORK

The work of PRC covers many areas including academia,media and communications, consultancy, advocacyand lobbying. PRC organises international conferences,

parliamentary delegations, gives regular commentaries,carries out new research and publishes books, journals anddocumentary films. The following is just a small sample ofour work and achievements.


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PRC delegation meeting with head of European Parliament


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Achievements

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UN Accredited NGO Since 2003, PRC has been granted the status ofan accredited NGO by the United Nations. The

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of thePalestinian People has a mandate from the United NationsGeneral Assembly “to extend its cooperation and support toPalestinian and other civil society organizations”. In keepingwith this mandate, a network of more than 1,000 civil societyorganizations from all regions of the world, active on thequestion of Palestine, have been established over the years.Accredited civil society organizations are invited to attend allrelevant international meetings and conferences held underthe auspices of the Committee, participate in the discussions

and make statements, either orally or in written form.NGO’s submit reports, written statements and other relevantdocuments for circulation among Committee Members andObservers. PRC regularly joins these sessions in Vienna,Geneva and other venues voicing its opinions on refugeesand other related topics.


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2

Putting Palestinian Refugees in the PoliticalAgenda

PRC ensures that all relevant political bodies andinstitutions are made aware of the plight of refugees. Inaddition to the UN accredited status, where PRC is given

an international platform, PRC also endeavours to deliver itsmessage to the European and national parliaments. PRC hassponsored seminars at the European Parliament and lobbiedMEP’s, including former and current presidents and highofficials at the European Parliament. PRC lead a high profiledelegation to meet Javier Solano, EU High representativein 2009 and the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan in

2010. Nationally PRC successfully held public meetings inWestminster in partnership with mainstream political parties.

Delegation to EU High Representative for

the Common Foreign and Security Policy,Mr. Javier Solana


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3 Legal Advocacy for Palestinian Refugees

In addition to keeping the refugee issue in the heartof the political agenda, PRC defends the legal rights

of Palestinian refugees. Its various publications, conferencesand workshops are used in making the legal case for the

right of Palestinian refugees to return to their land. PRC isworking to expand its legal advocacy work by creating alegal framework through which individual human rights ofPalestinian refugees can be secured, during their status asrefugees and ultimately in any final resolution to their plight.


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4

Delegations

PRC has successfully coordinated a number of delegationsfrom Europe and the UK. It has taken numerous delegations

to Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank, Jordan. Its most high profile

delegation was in 2009 when over 50 parliamentarians visited

Gaza. Such delegations ensure that government officials andelected MPs are made aware of current situations in order to

address immediate humanitarian concerns and ultimately in

working towards a just political outcome.

Our 2009 cross party delegation to Syria was aimed at raising

the plight of Palestinian refugees from Iraq who were fleeing

violence and persecution in Iraq. Many of the thousands were

stranded for years between the borders of Syria and Iraq. our

delegation visited Al Tanaf camp and initiated a project with the

Syrian Government in conjunction with UNRWA and UNHCR

to close the camps and find a temporary resettlement plan.

In 2011 PRC also coordinated European wide parliamentary

delegation to Lebanon in raising awareness of the uniquely

desperate situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and the

devastation of Nahar al Bared camp, where 27,000 refugees

were made homeless.

Delegation to Palestinian refugees camp

who ed from Iraq


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Delegation to Lebanon meeting with Lebanese President Michael Suleiman

The biggest Parliamentarian delegation to Gaza more then 50 MP and MEP.


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5

Conferences

PRC has organised many conferences over the years.All the conferences highlight different issues related to

the refugees such as the situation of Palestinian women in

refugee camps, the right to return and repatriation. PRC has

also organised conferences that provided a critical analysisof the impact of the Israeli law of return. These conferences

have an international dimension such as the conference

organised in 2009, ‘UNRWA and the future of Palestinian

Refugees’, where a host of academics, politicians and human

rights groups participated, including Britain’s International

Development Minister, Mike Foster. During the conferencePRC also launched a survey of Palestinian refugees and their

attitude towards UNRWA.

During its Ongoing Nakba (catastrophe referring to the 1947/8

exile) Conference in 2011 PRC invited a host of international

scholars and activists in demonstrating how the Nakba is

not an event in Palestinian history but an ongoing event. Theillegal Wall, Israeli settlements, Israel’s policy in Gaza and

its treatment of Palestinian Bedouins within 1948 Palestine,

were all highlighted as evidences of exile and the creation of

new refugees.


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6

Exhibitions

PRC exhibitions are another means to raise awareness,

especially on current situations. Our exhibitions areheld at universities, conferences, PRC events and upon

request given to different organizations across the UK and

Europe. We have exhibitions on Gaza which highlights the

extreme levels of violence shown against Palestinians during

Operation Cast Lead. Our exhibition on Israeli Apartheid

shows the discriminatory nature of Israeli policies. The

Nakba exhibition draws historical parallels between differentepisodes of Palestinian flight from their land as a consequence

of Israeli aggression. The Prisoners exhibition highlights the

illegal nature of Israeli incarceration of Palestinians. We

continually add to our exhibitions depending on political and

humanitarian developments.


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7

Lobbying and Public Relations

PRC has developed a strong relationship with MP’sin the UK and across Europe. This enables us to hold

regular briefings in Westminster and take part in seminars and

workshops. This relationship makes our delegations possible.

Our public relations work is not restricted to the UK only.

We have worked with the European Parliament on several

occasions. PRC lead a very high profile delegation to the

European Parliament to meet the president at that time Javier

Solano and the Turkish Prime Minster Tayyip Erdogan. PRC

representatives also take part in direct lobbying with other

European Organizations at the European Parliament.


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8

Memorial Week

In remembrance of the long history of aggression againstthe Palestinians, their continued exile and dispossession

and their ongoing plight, we launched Palestine Memorial

Week in 2009. This is a national event which unites different

organisations institutions and personalities within civicsociety. During a week of intensive activism we hold:

• Public meetings with solidarity groups

• Public awareness workshops and activities in

universities

• Awareness activities and classes at schools• Photo Galleries on Palestine

• Film screening on different themes

• Speaking events in Hyde Park Speakers Corner

• Action in Trafalgar Square. The event is called

Gaza 1417. It’s to commemorate the anniversary

of Operation Cast Lead

• Cycling around London with Palestine flags.


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9

Publications and Documentaries

PRC has published many academic papers on theplight of refugees and other related issues. In addition

to its regular publications, which include the Monthly Memo

and regular briefings to MPs, the centre has conducted

and sponsored many different projects including books,

documentary films, leaflets, monthly memo, research papers

and educational CDs in both English and Arabic and others.

In 2011 it launched the Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies

with the aim of creating a new space to discuss the plight of

Palestinian refugees. Its most recent books include Internally

Displaced Palestinians and The Present Absentees and

Understanding the Nakba, which is a historical commentary

on the Palestinian exile. Recently, PRC has completed a

documentary following the plight of Palestinian Refugees

from Iraq through their detention and temporary resettlement

in far away as Brazil.


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10 Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies(JPRS)

In our latest efforts to inform and educate welaunched the Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies (JPRS) in2011. With a strong focus on refugees, providing information,analysis and commentary on all aspects of their plight, it is

has filled a void within the public domain on the history andfuture of Palestine. On a broader level it has created space forinformed discussion that rarely gets mentioned in the contextof Palestine.

The journal draws opinion from experts and activists

from various sectors including politics, academia, legaland humanitarian workers. Our first edition provided anintroduction to the plight of refugees, with contributions fromthe former Director General of UNRWA, Karen Abu Zayd, andesteemed scholars like Salman Abu Sitta and Ghada Karmi.

JPRS is available on line and hundreds of hard copies aredistributed to academic institutions, think tanks, MPs andvarious institutions. Many more are distributed by PRC duringconferences seminars, worships and public events that areorganized by PRC and its various partners around the country.


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11PRC Online

PRC’s online work has grown over the years andnow includes, a website, Facebook, Twitter and

you tube. PRC website contains up to date news, information

and studies about refugees. It also has a vast range of material

on issues related to Palestine. The site contains extensive

resources and many of our publications can be downloaded

for free. In addition, the site includes all the centre’s activities

and any related programs planned by other organisations in

Europe and in the UK.

www.facebook.com/returncentre

@prclondon


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www.prc.org.uk


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12Directly helping refugees

In addition to the numerous delegations thatwe’ve organised to raise the plight of refugees

and provide humanitarian support, PRC has given direct

assistance to many Palestinian refugees. We visited families

that were relocated from the Iraqi borders to Brazil, Norway,

Sweden and India, as part of our filming. We came across

families living in extremely depressing conditions, especially

those that were in need of medical support. They had access

to no jobs or health provisions. We acted on their behalf in

notifying the authorities. We also met Palestinians fleeing

from Iraq to Cyprus and here in the UK and assisted them

during their arrival with support and advice about health,

schooling and access to other basic provisions.


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13Co-ordinations with Civic Society

Institutions

With the issue of Palestine being global in scope, PRC has

coordinated with global institutions on various issues. It also

coordinates with research centres and civil society institutions

in organising seminars, humanitarian delegations and various

projects. In association with the European Campaign to End

the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), which is an umbrella organisation

of 30 NGO’s, we coordinated a workshop at the European

Parliament. This was carried out in partnership with the

Delegation for Relations with the Palestinian LegislativeCouncil, which is an EU mission. Under the auspices of Vice

President to the European Parliament, The workshop titled,

Palestine 2009, How to Break the Vicious Circle, examined

the crippling siege in Gaza as well as the current impasse in

the ‘Peace Process.

PRC in partnership with ECESG, which is also supported by 50

parliamentarians across Europe, organized the humanitarian,

Hope Convoy, to Gaza in 2009 where over 50 trucks delivered

medical and other essential supplies to Gaza.


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14Conferences of Palestinians in Europe

Palestinians, following their expulsion fromPalestine, are scattered all over the world. This

fragmentation is distressing, especially for the Palestinians

in diasporas who have little opportunity to express their

culture and common bond with their fellow Palestinians. Inaddressing this problem PRC has taken long strides to preserve

the Palestinian identity here in Europe.

PRC founded the European Conference which is now in its

ninth Year. This conference held in major cities in Europe,

London, Milan, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Vienna and Berlinbrings together up to 12 Thousand Palestinians in order to

raise their concern and to show solidarity with the global

plight of Palestinians.


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15Challenging creation of new refugees

A key objective for PRC is raising concernsand where possible to effect outcomes in the

prevention of new refugees. The ongoing home demolition

in the occupied territory and also within Israel continues to

increase the number of refugees. Many of them, such as the

victims of Israeli bombardment in Gaza, following Operation

Cast Lead in 2008, are already refugees whose home was

destroyed by Israeli bombs. Israeli policies continue to

displace Palestinians from their homes.

We have raised these concerns at every level, at the European

Parliament, the UN, British Government, Scottish and Irish

Government and many more. In 2009 Israel evicted 1,500

Palestinian in the Bustan district to make way for a park. The

construction of the illegal wall separated 420,000 Palestinians

from other cities and their land. Israel furthermore was

vigorously engaged in home demolitions with the intention

of Judaising Jerusalem. Our campaign, drawing attention to

all these major concerns, attracted response from the British

Foreign Office, European Parliament including the President

of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso.


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16Directly helping refugeesIn addition to the numerous delegations that

we’ve organised to raise the plight of refugees

and provide humanitarian support, PRC has given direct

assistance to many Palestinian refugees. We visited families

that were relocated from the Iraqi borders to Brazil, Norway,

Sweden and India, as part of our filming. We came across

families living in extremely depressing conditions, especially

those that were in need of medical support. They had access

to no jobs or health provisions. We acted on their behalf in

notifying the authorities. We also met Palestinians fleeing

from Iraq to Cyprus and here in the UK and assisted them

during their arrival with support and advice about health,

schooling and access to other basic provisions.


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Back Cover


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Documents

Palestinian Return Centre (PRC)