Published : 03-10-2021
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said the Agency’s humanitarian mission is mandated by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and no bilateral agreement shall delegitimize its mission or redefine the status of Palestinian refugees.
In a letter to UNRWA staff, Lazzarini said the 2021-2022 US-UNRWA Framework for Cooperation, signed in June, does not affect the Agency’s legitimate mission nor does it contradict the UN decades-long humanitarian principles.
Lazzarini told UNRWA staff that the Agency’s verification of the names of all cash recipients and beneficiaries, including employees and external contractors, against the United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List, is conducted twice a year and in line with the long-standing UN procedures.
UNRWA chief added that the Agency’s staff should respect internal regulations and the principle of neutrality including on social media. In any instance of incitement to violence or politicized position, the Agency takes strict punitive and legal measures.
He added that UNRWA updates host countries on its staff list based on the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The political environment during recent years and the increasing attacks on the Agency’s mandate have been a source of grave concern for Palestinian refugees. Those who seek to undermine UNRWA’s legitimacy will take advantage of potential violations of the principle of neutrality in order to pressure governments to defund the agency.
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said the Agency’s humanitarian mission is mandated by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and no bilateral agreement shall delegitimize its mission or redefine the status of Palestinian refugees.
In a letter to UNRWA staff, Lazzarini said the 2021-2022 US-UNRWA Framework for Cooperation, signed in June, does not affect the Agency’s legitimate mission nor does it contradict the UN decades-long humanitarian principles.
Lazzarini told UNRWA staff that the Agency’s verification of the names of all cash recipients and beneficiaries, including employees and external contractors, against the United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List, is conducted twice a year and in line with the long-standing UN procedures.
UNRWA chief added that the Agency’s staff should respect internal regulations and the principle of neutrality including on social media. In any instance of incitement to violence or politicized position, the Agency takes strict punitive and legal measures.
He added that UNRWA updates host countries on its staff list based on the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The political environment during recent years and the increasing attacks on the Agency’s mandate have been a source of grave concern for Palestinian refugees. Those who seek to undermine UNRWA’s legitimacy will take advantage of potential violations of the principle of neutrality in order to pressure governments to defund the agency.
