Enough with the criminalisation of the BDS movement for justice in Palestine! Let’s support right to boycott!
Why this is important:
The French High Court has upheld the conviction of activists who called for the boycott of Israeli products
The British government is implementing a new set of rules that will make it harder for local councils and other public bodies including universities to make ethical procurement or investment decisions.
The Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said at the largest Israeli anti-BDS conference, held on March 28 in Jerusalem, that Israel should engage in “targeted civil eliminations” of BDS “leaders” with the help of Israeli intelligence
All over the world, non-violent grassroots activists are under threat!
Petition:
Dear Mr Juncker – President of the European Commission
Dear Mrs Astola – Director General of the DG Justice and Consumers of the EC
We, the undersigned citizens of Europe are deeply alarmed by the ongoing attempts by some European governments to criminalise political activism against Israeli violations of international law.
The Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz said at the largest Israeli anti-BDS conference, held on March 28 in Jerusalem, that Israel should engage in “targeted civil eliminations” of BDS “leaders” with the help of Israeli intelligence. That was at the very same conference at which EU Ambassador to Israel was participating alongside the settler leaders. It is seriously alarming when government ministers anywhere make such threats against human rights defenders!
We wish to express our outrage at such an incitement and attacks on civil rights and seeking your support in upholding the basic rights for European citizens for a freedom of speech and expression in support for the Palestinian people and/or other people worldwide to defend their fundamental rights.
In addition we’d like to recall the statement from the Swedish foreign ministry re-affirming basic democratic principles by saying that BDS “is a civil society movement” and that “governments should not interfere in civil society organization views”
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) affirms the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of expression. These rights are interrelated and are the foundation of other rights, including the rights to freedom of assembly and association. Accordingly, the Human Rights Committee has affirmed that the holding of an opinion should not be criminalized.
The European Union have to uphold its legal responsibilities, including by defending against illegitimate attacks against individuals, groups, and institutions involved in BDS movement, and to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law.
We, the undersigned European citizens strongly believe that your role in the European Commission is of the highest importance in this case. Therefore we call on you to introduce the human rights guidelines guaranteeing freedom of speech and right to boycott and to use all other means you have in your disposal to support European citizens in their struggle to uphold basic human rights.
Your sincerely,
Signed:
1. Transform!Europe – European network for alternative thinking and political dialogue
2. European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP)
3. Center for Active Non-Violence – NGO platform, Austria
4. Women in Black (Vienna), Austria
5. Talk Together, Austria
6. Steirische Friedensplattform, Austria
7. BDS Austria
8. Society for Austro-Arab Relations, Austria
9. PTB-PVDA – political party, Belgium
10. Sp.a – political party, Belgium
11. Ecolo – political party, Belgium
12. La Centrale Générale-FGTB/De Algemene Centrale-ABVV – trade union, Belgium
13. ACV/CSC Brussels – trade union, Belgium
14. Pax Christi International – international catholic peace movement, Belgium
15. Oxfam Wereldwinkel Mariakerke – NGO, Belgium
16. CNCD-11.11.11 – NGO platform, Belgium
17. www.11.be– NGO, Belgium
18. G3W-M3M – NGO, Belgium
19. GVHV-MPLP – NGO, Belgium
20. Defence for Children – NGO, Belgium
21. FOS socialistische solidariteit – NGO, Belgium
22. Human Rights Center – University of Ghent, Belgium
23. Solidarité Socialiste – NGO, Belgium
24. Progress Lawyers Network, Belgium
25. Union des Progressistes Juifs de Belgique (UPJB), Belgium
26. Forum Nord Sud pour un contrat de génération, Belgium
27. Vredesactie, Belgium
28. Association belgo-palestinienne (ABP), Belgium
29. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Belgium
30. Palestina Solidariteit, Belgium
31. Artistes contre le mur, Belgium
32. Les Amis du Monde diplomatique Belgique, Belgium
33. Via Velo Palestina, Belgium
34. Plateforme Watermael-Boitsfort Palestine, Belgium
35. Links Ecologisch Forum, Belgium
36. Intal, Belgium
37. Antwerp for Palestine, Belgium
38. Victoria Deluxe, Belgium
39. Vrede vzw, Belgium
40. Gents ActiePlatform Palestina (GAPP), Belgium
41. Comac, Belgium
42. Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine, Belgium
43. Käthe Kollwitz Vredesloop, Belgium
44. Palestinaorientering, Denmark
45. Vasemmistonuoret, The Left Youth of Finland, Finland
46. ICAHD Finland
47. Finnish Arab Friendship Society, Finland
48. Finnish Peace Committee – Suomen Rauhanpuolustajat, Finland
49. Women for Peace, Finland
50. Committee of 100 in Finland
51. Physicians for Social Responsibility, Finland
52. Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Finland
53. Union syndicale Solidaires – trade union, France
54. Federation syndicale unitaire – trade union federation, France
55. Parti de Gauche – political party, France
56. Parti communiste français (PCF) – political party, France
57. Ensemble ! – political party, France
58. Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (NPA) – political party, France
59. Parti des Indigènes de la République (PIR) – political party, France
60. Mouvement Jeunesse Communiste de France (MJCF), France
61. Pax Christi – NGO, France
62. CCFD-Terre Solidaire (Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development-Terre Solidaire) – NGO, France
63. Plateforme des ONG Françaises pour la Palestine – NGO
64. Association des Universitaires pour le Respect du Droit International en Palestine – AURDIP, France
65. Collectif Palestine71, France
66. Collectif Chalon Palestine, France
67. Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS), France
68. CCIPPP34, France
69. Collectif Judéo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine, France
70. CoordinationBDS37, France
71. French Jewish Union for Peace – UJFP, France
72. BDS France
73. Comité De Vigilance Pour Une Paix Réelle Au Proche-Orient, France
74. Organisation Femmes Egalité, France
75. La Courneuve-Palestine, France
76. Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples, MRAP, France
77. Forum Palestine Citoyenneté, France
78. Parti Communiste des Ouvrier de France (PCOF), France
79. Women in Black (Femmes en noir), France
80. AITEC, France
81. Comité Justice et Paix en Palestine et au Proche-Orient du 5°, Paris (CJPP5), France
82. DIE LINKE. BAK Gerechter Frieden Nahost (DIE LINKE. Federal Working Group on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany
83. DIE LINKE. Niedersachsen LAG Gerechter Frieden Nahost (DIE LINKE. State Working Group Lower Saxony on “Just Peace in the Middle East”), Germany
84. DIE LINKE. Kreisverband Donnersberg (DIE LINKE. District chapter Donnersberg), Germany
85. Kommunistische Plattform der Partei DIE LINKE Niedersachsen (Communist Platform of the party DIE LINKE in Lower Saxony), Germany
86. LAG Antikapitalistische Linke DIE LINKE.Niedersachsen, Germany
87. Kairos Palästina Solidaritätsnetz Deutschland – NGO Platform, Germany
88. AK Nahost Berlin, Germany
89. Aktionsbündnis für einen gerechten Frieden in Palästina, Germany
90. Arbeitskreis Nahost-Hagen, Germany
91. BDS Berlin, Germany
92. BDS-Gruppe Bonn, Germany
93. BDS Hamburg, Germany
94. Berlin Academic Boycott, Germany
95. Das Palästina Portal, Germany
96. Deutscher Koordinationskreis Palästina-Israel, Germany
97. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft e.V., Germany
98. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft Bremen e.V., Germany
99. Deutsch-Palästinensische Gesellschaft NRW Süd, Germany
100. Deutsch-Palästinensischer Frauenverein e.V., Germany
101. Freunde von Sabeel Deutschland, Germany
102. G.H.U.P. e.V., Germany
103. Hochschulgruppe AKtion Gerechter Frieden Nahost Göttingen, Germany
104. Initiative Schule für EineWelt, Germany
105. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions – Germany (ICAHD)
106. Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost e.V., Germany
107. Jüdisch-Palästinensische Dialoggruppe München, Germany
108. Ökumenisches Netz Bayern e.V., Germany
109. Palästina/Nahost-Initiative Heidelberg, Germany
110. Palästina-Forum Nahost Frankfurt/M, Germany
111. Palästinakomitee Stuttgart e.V., Germany
112. Palästinensische Gemeinde Deutschland, Germany
113. Solidarität International – Nürnberg, Germany
114. Stopp Ramstein Region Kaiserslautern, Germany
115. Vitaminepalestine, Germany
116. Fiom/CGIL – trade union federation, Italy
117. Ibriq, Italy
118. Salaam Ragazzi dell’Olivo Comitato di Trieste, Italy
119. Un ponte per, Italy
120. BDS Italy, Italy
121. Cultura è Libertà, una campagna per la Palestina, Italy
122. Comitati Pistoieses Per La Palestina, Italy
123. Rete Radié Resch – Udine group, Italy
124. Servizio Civile Internazionale, Italy
125. ARCI, Italy
126. Comitato Di Base nNmuos/Nosigonella(Ct), Italy
127. Palestina Rossa, Italy
128. Fronte Palestina, Italy
129. Attac Italia, Italy
130. Associazione Oltre il Mare, Italy
131. Confederazione Cobas, Italy
132. Ildialogo, Italy
133. U.S. Citizens Against War (Florence), Italy
134. Ulaia Artesud onlus, Italy
135. Casale Podere Rosa, Italy
136. Associazione onlus Pace per Gerusalemme, Italy
137. Forum Palestina, Italy
138. Associazione Stelle cadenti, Artisti Per La Pace, Italy
139. Comitato delle associazioni per la Pace e i Diritti Umani, Italy
140. Collettivo Autonomo Studenti Casteddu, Italy
141. Salaam Ragazzi dell’Olivo-comitato di milano-Onlus (Salaam Children of Olive Tree), Italy
142. Coordinamento Campagna BDS Bologna, Italy
143. Berretti Bianchi Onlus, Italy
144. MAIA onlus, Italy
145. RETE-ECO, Italy
146. Assopace Palestina, Italy
147. The Green Party – political party, Ireland
148. People Before Profit Alliance – political party, Ireland
149. Anti-Austerity Alliance – political party, Ireland
150. Workers Party of Ireland – political party, Ireland
151. Communist Party of Ireland – political party, Ireland
152. Sinn Féin – Political Party, Ireland
153. Workers Solidarity Movement – political organisation, Ireland
154. Irish Congress of Trade Unions – trade union federation, Ireland
155. Trade Union Friends of Palestine – trade union group, Ireland
156. Action from Ireland (Afri) – NGO, Ireland
157. Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign – NGO, Ireland
158. Sadaka – the Ireland Palestine Alliance – NGO, Ireland
159. Peace & Neutrality Alliance – NGO, Ireland
160. Academics For Palestine – NGO, Ireland
161. Gaza Action Ireland – NGO, Ireland
162. Grupo Raíces (Grúpa Fréamhacha) Solidarity with Colombia – NGO, Ireland
163. Solidarity Alliance Against Racism and Fascism – NGO, Ireland
164. The Ireland Institute – think tank, Ireland
165. Centre for Global Education, Ireland
166. Irish Anti-War Movement, Ireland
167. AFBE asbl, Luxembourg
168. Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient, Luxembourg
169. Union des Femmes Luxembourgeoises, Luxembourg
170. Action Solidarité Tiers Monde, Luxembourg
171. Norges Kommunistiske Parti (NKP) / Communist Party of Norway, political party, Norway
172. Rødt / The Red Party – political party, Norway
173. Rød Ungdom (RU) /The Red Youth Party – political party, Norway
174. Senterungdommen / The Centre Party Youth – political party, Norway
175. Sosialistisk Venstreparti (SV) / The Socialist Party – political party, Norway
176. The Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions – trade union federation, Norway
177. Aftenpostens grafiske klubb / Aftenposten Graphic Workers Union – trade union, Norway
178. EL & IT Forbundet /The Electrician and IT workers union – trade union, Norway
179. Fellesorganisasjonen for barnevernspedagoger, sosionomer og vernepleiere (FO) / The Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers – trade union, Norway
180. Handel og Kontor i Norge / Norwegian Union of Employees in Commerce and Offices – trade union, Norway
181. Industri Energi/ Norwegian Union of Industry and Energy Workers / – trade union, Norway
182. Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund / Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union – trade union, Norway
183. Oslo Grafiske Fagforening /Oslo Graphic Workers Union – trade union, Norway
184. NTL-leaders – trade union, Norway
185. Norwegian Church Aid – humanitarian and ecumenical NGO, Norway
186. Norwegian People’s Aid – NGO, Norway
187. Arbeidernes ungdomsfylking (AUF) / Labour Party Youth, Norway
188. KFUK-KFUM Global/ Norwegian YWCA- YMCA Global, Norway
189. LO i Oslo / Labour Organization in Norway – Oslo dept, Norway
190. Norsk Nærings- og Nytelsesmiddelarbeiderforbund Oslo og Akershus (NNN OA) / Norwegian Food and Allied Workers’ Union Oslo and Akershus, Norway
191. Norges Handikapforbund (NHF) / The Norwegian Association of Disabled, Norway
192. Norges Kristelige Studentforbund (NKSF) / Student Christian Movement in Norway, Norway
193. Oslo Bygningsarbeiderforening / Construction Workers in Norway, Norway
194. Palestinakomiteen i Norge / Palestinian Committee, Norway
195. Palestine Network, Norway
196. Sosialistisk Ungdom (SU) / The Socialt Youth League, Norway
197. TeoLOgene / Labour Union of heologians, Norway
198. Ungkommunistene i Norge / Youth Communist League, Norway
199. Movimento pelos Direitos do Povo Palestino e pela Paz no Médio Oriente (MPPM), Portugal
200. Kairos – Sabeel Nederland, The Netherlands
201. Stichting Palestina, The Netherlands
202. Women for Peace,The Netherlands
203. Women in Black, the Netherlands
204. DocP, The Netherlands
205. Stichting Groningen-Jabalya, The Netherlands
206. Stichting Palestijnse Vrouwen in Nederland – Foundation of Palestinian Women in the Netherlands
207. Werkgroep Palestina Enschede, The Netherlands
208. BDS Nederland, The Netherlands
209. Netherlands Palestine Committee (NPK), The Netherlands
210. Mobiele Muziek Producties, The Netherlands
211. World Citizens for International Law, The Netherlands
212. Palestine Link, The Netherlands
213. Stop de Bezetting, The Netherlands
214. Een Ander Joods Geluid (A Different Jewish Voice), The Netherlands
215. Palestina Komitee Rotterdam, The Netherlands
216. Humanstisch Vredesberaad, The Netherlands
217. Students for Justice in Palestine – Maastricht, The Netherlands
218. EMCEMO, The Netherlands
219. Netherlands Philippine Solidarity Association, The Netherlands
220. Studenten voor Rechtvaardigheid in Palestina – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
221. Studenten voor Rechtvaardigheid in Palestina – Rotterdam, The Netherlands
222. Studenten Voor Rechtvaardigheid In Palestina Nijmegen, The Netherlands
223. Netherlands Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Quakers, The Netherlands
224. Breed Platform Palestina, The Netherlands
225. SAP/Grenzeloos, The Netherlands
226. al-Awda, The Netherlands
227. Palestijnse Gemeenschap in Nederland (Palestinian Community in the Netherlands)
228. Internationale Socialisten, The Netherlands
229. HTIB, The Netherlands
230. DIDF, The Netherlands
231. Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scotland
232. Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Scotland
233. Association of Palestinian Community in Scotland, Scotland
234. Steadfast Stitch, Scotland
235. Institut za studije zahodne sahare/Institute for Western Sahara – NGO, Slovenia
236. Društvo za človekove pravice in človeku prijazne dejavnosti Humanitas / Society for Human Rishts and Supportive Action Humanitas – NGO, Slovenia
237. Gibanje za pravice Palestincev BDS Slovenija, Slovenia
238. Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East, Slovakia
239. The Palestine Solidarity Association of Sweden/Palestinagrupperna i Sverige, Sweden
240. Action Group at KTH for Boycott of Israel, Sweden
241. Gesellschaft Schweiz-Palästina / Association Suisse-Palestine / Associazione Svizzera-Palestina / Association Switzerland-Palestine, Switzerland
242. BDS-Suisse, Switzerland
243. Basler Frauenvereinigung für Frieden und Fortschritt, Switzerland
244. Palestine’s Children (PalCH), Switzerland
245. SolidaritéS, Switzerland
246. Gerechtigkeit und Frieden in Palästina, Switzerland
247. Amérique Latine RÉSISTANCES, Switzerland
248. Theologische Bewegung für Solidarität und Befreiung, Switzerland
249. Arbeitskreis Tourismus & Entwicklung, Switzerland
250. Free Palestine, Switzerland
251. PKZ – Palästinensisches Kulturzentrum Zürich, Switzerland
252. Takafol Swiss – Schweizer Gesellschaft gegenseitiger Unterstützung, Switzerland
253. Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestina, JVJP, Switzerland
254. Collectif Urgence Palestine Vaud, Switzerland
255. Palästina-Solidarität Region Basel, Switzerland
256. Collectif Action Palestine, Switzerland
257. AL Bern, Switzerland
258. Confederación General del Trabajo CGT Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – trade union federation, Spain
259. Confederación General del Trabajo CGT España – trade union federation, Spain
260. Podemos – political party, Spain
261. Izquierda Unida, political party, Spain
262. SORTU, basque political party, Basque country
263. Podemos Migraciones Ceuta, Spain
Red Solidaria Contra la Ocupación de Palestina (RESCOP) comprised of:
264. Anticapitalistas
265. Asociación Al-Quds de Solidaridad con los Pueblos del Mundo Árabe (Málaga)
266. Asociación de Amistad Palestina-Granada «Turab»
267. Asociación Andaluza por la Solidaridad y la Paz – ASPA
268. Asociación Hispano Palestina Jerusalén (Madrid)
269. Asociación Palestina Biladi
270. Asociación Pau Ara i Sempre
271. Asociación Pro-Derechos Humanos de Andalucía
272. Asociación Propalestina del Campo de Gibraltar
273. Asociación Unadikum
274. BDS Alacant
275. BDS Catalunya
276. BDS Madrid
277. BDS País Valencià
278. Castelló per Palestina
279. Centro de Estudios Rurales y de Agricultura Internacional (CERAI)
280. Coalició Prou Complicitat amb Israel
281. Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe (Madrid, Asturias)
282. Comité de Solidaridad con los Pueblos – Interpueblos (Cantabria)
283. Comunidad Palestina en Canarias
284. Comunitat Palestina de Catalunya
285. Comunitat Palestina de València
286. Coordinadora de apoyo a Palestina (La Rioja)
287. Ecologistas en Acción (Confederal)
288. Fundación IEPALA
289. Fundación Mundubat
290. Grupo de Cooperación Sevilla Palestina
291. Izquierda Anticapitalista Revolucionaria (IZAR)
292. Komite Internazionalistak (Euskal Herria)
293. MEWANDO (Euskadi)
294. Movimiento de Jóvenes Palestinos
295. Mujeres en Zona de Conflicto – M.Z.C.
296. Mujeres por la Paz – Acción Solidaria con Palestina (Canarias)
297. Pallasos en Rebeldía
298. Paz Ahora
299. Paz con DignidadPlataforma de Solidaridad con Palestina (Sevilla)
300. Plataforma Palestina Ibiza
301. Plataforma Solidaria con Palestina de Valladolid
302. Palestina Toma la Calle, Madrid
303. Red Judía Antisionista Internacional – IJAN
304. Sodepau
305. Sodepaz
306. Sodepaz Balamil
307. Taula per Palestina (Illes Balears)
308. UJCE (Unión de Juventudes Comunistas de España)
309. Alternativa Sindical Obrera Canaria ULL SOC_ULL, Spain
310. Asociación Paz Ahora, Spain
311. BDS Murcia, Spain
312. BOICOT ISRAEL RIOJA, Spain
313. Comisión de Derechos Humanos Hispano Guatemalteca, Spain
314. La Gaviota Arabe Hispana, Spain
315. Hillombé Solidaridad, Spain
316. ISM en el Estado Español, Spain
317. Nación Andaluza, Spain
318. Paraguay Resiste, Madrid, Spain
319. Plataforma Bienvenidas Refugiadas, Spain
320. Plaza de los pueblos 15M, Madrid, Spain
321. Rubí Solidari, Spain
322. Sodepaz Pachakuti, Spain
323. Tierra y Libertad Peru, Spain
324. Asamblea de Parad@s de Canarias Autogestionaria. ” APAGA Y Vámonos”, Spain
325. CERAI, Spain
326. SOLIDARIDAD CANARIA
327. Rumbo a Gaza, Spain
328. APDHA, Spain
329. Asociación Café Despacio – Las Palmas, Spain
330. Alternativa antimilitarista.Moc Canarias – Las Palmas
331. A. Canaria de economía Alternativa – Las Palmas, Spain
332. BDS Tarragona, Spain
333. Centro Humanista de las Culturas, Spain
334. Comunidad Palestina en Canarias, Spain
335. Plataforma Bolivariana de Canarias, Spain
336. Ayuntamiento de la Villa de Agüimes, Spain
337. Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law – AEDIDH, Spain
338. Acciónenred-Canarias
339. Kairos Palestine – NGO platform, UK
340. Hexham Kairos- NGO, UK
341. Kairos Sheffield – NGO, UK
342. British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP), UK
343. Pendle Palestine Twinning Group, UK
344. Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
345. Stop G4S, UK
346. Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
347. Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods, UK
348. Leicester Palestine Solidaity Campaign, UK
349. UK-Palestine Mental Health Network, UK
350. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK
351. Amos Trust, UK
352. The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), UK
353. EuroPal Forum, UK
354. Zaytoun CIC, UK
355. Friends of Sabeel UK, UK
356. Orkney Friends of Palestine, UK
357. Edinburgh Action for Palestine, UK
358. Hereford Palestine Support Group, UK