Ref: 134/2021
Date: 8 Nov 2021
Press release,
ICSPR calls on the Palestinian official bodies to confront the phenomenon of youth migration.
The International Commission to Support Palestinians’ Rights (ICSPR) followed up with deep sadness the announcement of the Palestinian embassy in Turkey yesterday, Sunday, 07 November 2021, that the body of a Palestinian citizen from the Gaza Strip had been found dead on a beach in Turkey, and he is one of the three missing Palestinian citizens, who were on the sunken boat, trying to emigrate to Europe for a decent life.
With the increase in cases of killing, death and loss among Palestinian immigrants, especially young people, whether in Turkey, Greece or other countries, the procedures and policies followed by the countries receiving Palestinian immigrants are considered one of the most important reasons why young people risk their lives through illegal sea and land migration.
ICSPR stresses that the Israeli siege, the high rates of poverty and unemployment, the absence of meaningful programs to confront youth emigration from the Gaza Strip, and the lack of decent life opportunities are additional factors that push young people to migrate from the Gaza Strip. ICSPR considers the persistence of the internal division contributes to the increase in the phenomenon of youth migration, and warns the Palestinian youth of the dangers of illegal immigration. Therefore:
- ICSPR calls on the Palestinian official bodies to translate their words into actions on the ground, with regard to caring for young people by adopting programs that address youth unemployment and reduce poverty rates, which can reduce the phenomenon of migration.
- ICSPR calls on the Turkish and Greek authorities and the relevant Palestinian embassies to intensify searches for the missing and expedite the disclosure of their fate.
- ICSPR calls on the countries receiving Palestinian migrants to respect the principles of human rights, in accordance with international laws and agreements that work to respect and protect their rights.
- ICSPR urges the international community to exert all efforts to ensure an end to the siege, and to provide international support to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip.
ICSPR
