Jeddah (UNA) – The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the continued violence against innocent Palestinians by the Israeli occupation forces and illegal settlers, noting that the proposals for the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza constitute a flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The Commission expressed its deep concern over the ongoing reports documenting the targeting of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories by the Israeli occupation forces and illegal settlers.
The Commission stated that the OIC Media Observatory documented the killing of about 170 Palestinians and the injury of 226 others between January and February 2025, and that since October 2023, 48,426 Palestinians have been killed and 118,299 others injured by the Israeli occupation forces, without any accountability, which constitutes a serious violation of international law.
The Commission stressed that the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza represents a golden opportunity to achieve peace and stability, but there are numerous reports indicating the existence of proposals aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which the Commission completely rejects and considers a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which classifies the forcible transfer of civilians from occupied territories as a war crime and a crime against humanity.
The Commission explained that the prohibition of forced population transfer is an integral part of the binding principles of customary international humanitarian law, and applies to all States regardless of their ratification status of the relevant treaties.
The Commission also stressed that the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians from Gaza constitutes a dangerous escalation against the civilian population, which is already suffering from catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
The Commission called on the international community to condemn any attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland, whether through direct military action, coercion, or deprivation of basic services, and to prevent these crimes and hold their perpetrators accountable.
It also called for ensuring full protection for the displaced in accordance with international legal mechanisms.
Joint Statement of Arab Ministers
The Authority welcomed the joint statement issued by the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers held in Egypt in February 2025, which expressed its categorical rejection of the “demolition and expulsion” operations targeting Palestinians, and affirmed its rejection of any attempts to annex lands or forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.
The Commission urged UN member states and international and regional organizations to reject any proposals aimed at displacing Palestinians from their lands.
The Commission maintained its solidarity with the Palestinian people, stressing the need to enable them to exercise their right to self-determination.
The Commission called on the United Nations and human rights bodies to take urgent measures to hold accountable the perpetrators of war crimes against the Palestinians, ensure justice for the victims, prevent forced displacement, and provide immediate humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.
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