oPt: UN Human Rights and Palestinian Minister of Interior discuss human rights concerns

Country: occupied Palestinian territory Source: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Please refer to the attached files. Ajith Sunghay, Head of UN Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR OPT), met with Palestinian Minister of Interior Ziad Hab al-Reeh, and the head of the Human Rights Unit in the Ministry, Haitham Arar, on 23 April. The two discussed deteriorating human rights and humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank due to ongoing occupation. The meeting also tackled a range of other human rights concerns in relation to conditions of detention and the upcoming elections of local councils scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25 April. Sunghay reaffirmed OHCHR OPT’s commitment to supporting Palestinian institutions to foster conducive conditions for Palestinians to freely and equally exercise their right to participate in public affairs — including in Gaza, where war has largely suspended civic and political life. To this end, OHCHR OPT, with the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), has produced guidelines for police work in the context of human rights and elections, complemented by in-person training for police personnel in Al- Bireh City and Hebron. OHCHR OPT and ICHR have also facilitated a consultation between persons with disabilities and relevant specialised organisations and the Palestinian Central Elections Committee (CEC) to agree on ways to ensure disability inclusion and access in the upcoming elections. For his part, Hab al-Reeh affirmed that the State of Palestine is committed to implementing its human rights obligations under the treaties it has acceded to, by decision of President Mahmoud Abbas and under the close follow-up of Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mustafa. He also reviewed the readiness of the Ministry of Interior and the Palestinian Police to ensure the protection of the democratic process that the State of Palestine will witness on Saturday, 25 April 2026. Sunghay said OHCHR OPT will continue its monitoring in the context of the elections including freedom of association and assembly, and freedom of expression. He and Hab al-Reeh agreed to continued engagement and cooperation. For more information and media requests, please contact: Mayy El Sheikh – mayy.elsheikh@un.org Tag and share Twitter @OHCHR_Palestine Facebook UN Human Rights Palestine

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