In a lively interactive dialogue, Ajith Sunghay of OHCHR invited the young students to discuss what human rights mean to them. They, in turn, shared their pain and hopes, sending a message to the world calling for an end to war and for them to return home safely.
“We want to stand in solidarity with them, support them, work with them and see how we can strengthen our relationship,” he said. UN News. “We’ve known them for a long time. We’ve created this bond and connection.”
In a lively discussion that followed, Sunghay answered a series of questions mixed with facts about the rights of migrant students under international humanitarian law, the importance of upholding those rights, the role of the United Nations and its agencies in the Gaza Strip, and our obligations in light of the dire circumstances that Palestinians face every day.
‘Everyone has rights’
At first, Mr. Sunghai asked the students how well they understood human rights. The answer resonated throughout the tent.
“Everyone has rights,” one student said.
Another person referred to the right to education, saying, “The right to go to school or college.”
Another one is the “right to live in a safe place,” that is, the right to life.
Providing an overview of the basics of human rights, Mr. Sunghai explained that people from many countries came together to draft and agree on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which forms the basis for all other human rights agreements.
‘Why are you in Gaza?’
One of the questions raised by young people was an honest one.
“Why are you in Gaza?” a student asked a UN official.
In this regard, Mr. Sunghai explained two main reasons for visiting the area.
“First of all, I came here to see how we can strengthen the protection of people,” he said. “It’s not easy. As the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), we lead the protection cluster with other UN agencies, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). We are all trying to see how we can protect civilians. And that includes all of you.”
The second reason, he said, is human rights.
“This is not an easy task,” he continued. “But I am also here to see and assess the human rights situation, and more importantly, to meet people, to understand the challenges and difficulties they face, the human rights abuses that are occurring in Gaza, and to engage with civil society, which is the backbone of our response.”
UN News/Ziad Taleb
Students from Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, participate in a dialogue on human rights under international law.
‘Do we have the same rights?’
Another girl asked whether children in Gaza have the same rights as children in other parts of the world.
“Of course, you have the right to these agreements on paper, and then you have to implement them,” the UN official replied. “You’re right, there are a lot of contradictions around the world.
UN News/Ziad Taleb
OHCHR’s Ajit Sungai explains human rights under international humanitarian law.
“But we want to achieve equality around the world in the way that rights are respected. And that’s not easy. So we have to keep trying. We want to see you in a classroom that works for you, just as other children in other parts of the world have decent classrooms.”
He added that there was a long way to go to achieve this kind of equal respect for human rights.
“But we cannot give up, so we continue to fight with civil society, governments, UN agencies. It is a joint effort. Yes, we are all equal and should be treated as such. Yes, there is an implementation issue, and the government needs to work with us. That is also very important.”
As the conversation continued, another girl asked about her right to return home.
He told them that they have the right to live in a safe place, the right to housing, the right to shelter, the right to life.
“We have a long way to go to achieve all rights, and we cannot give up on them,” he continued. “We monitor and identify where rights are not yet respected, and then we inform the international community. We try to influence decision-makers to ensure that you have the same rights as everyone else.”
UN News/Ziad Taleb
“We want full rights”: Gaza students send powerful message to the world.
‘We want all our rights’
When asked what message the students have for the world, they were happy to say: UN NewsIn Arabic and English.
“Before the war, I lived in the Nusseirat camp,” said Rama Abu Al Said, a migrant from central Gaza. “Now I am in the Istiklal camp in Deir al-Balah. I have a bad feeling about this camp. This is not my life. This is not the life of Gaza… I hope this war will end so I can go back to my home.”
Where is the freedom for our children who live in fear of occupation?
– Tala Al Khatib
Tala al-Khatib, a 13-year-old girl who was displaced from the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip, said she wanted to send her message to “all the bad people who want to take over our city, Gaza.”
“They killed thousands of children and made thousands orphans,” she said. “They killed men and made women widows. Where is the right to live in peace and security? Where is the freedom for our children who live in fear of occupation? We want all our rights.”
Sama Alborno, a migrant girl from the Al-Jeitoun area of the Gaza Strip, said she hoped the shooting would stop so she could return home.
Dima Abu Said, at the al-Bureij camp in central Gaza, summarized the common saying.
“I moved several times before I arrived at the current camp, Al Istiqlal Camp,” she said. “I suffered a lot because of the displacement, but this camp is protecting us and many other migrants. I sincerely hope that this war will end.”
