Andalusian Parliament to Host International Conference in Seville Supporting Palestinian Rights, 2-3 December

The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People joined by United Cities and Local Governments, the Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity and the Junta of Andalusia will convene the International Conference of Local Governments and Civil Society Organizations in Support of Palestinian Rights, from 2 to 3 December, in Seville, Spain.

The objective of the event is to catalyse action by civil society and local governments in solidarity with the Palestinians and to promote accountability for violations of human rights and international law in this regard.  Renowned expert speakers from all over the world will take part in the Conference which is designed as a direct contribution to the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  The official languages of the Conference will be Arabic, English, French and Spanish.

The opening session will take place on Tuesday, 2 December, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parliament of Andalusia.  Statements will be made by Manuel Gracia Navarro, President of the Parliament of Andalusia; Ignacio Caraballo, President of the Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity; Diego Valderas Sosa, Vice-President of the Junta of Andalusia; Zahir Tanin, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; and Claude Nicolet, Chairman of the French Network of Decentralized Cooperation Initiatives for Palestine, and a United Cities and Local Governments representative.  Following the opening session, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine to the United Nations, will make a keynote presentation on the Palestinian leadership’s United Nations strategy.

Session I, entitled “Decentralized Cooperation:  Local cooperation for development, humanitarian assistance and political actions”, will begin at 11:15 a.m.  It will provide insight into the action of local authorities in terms of decentralized cooperation and solidarity initiatives.

Session II, entitled “Breaking the cycle of impunity”, will start at 3 p.m.  During the session, experts will discuss the follow-up to the Russell Tribunal on Palestine; tackle the effects of prolonged occupation; focus on European Union mechanisms to establish accountability; and address the case of businesses and companies profiting from the Israeli occupation.

Session III, which will begin on Wednesday, 3 December, at 10 a.m., entitled “Campaigning for peace and justice for the Palestinian people”, will perform an analysis of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement and its economic impact; look at the plight of Palestinian political prisoners; address the importance of advancing the question of Palestine on campuses; and showcase initiatives of Palestinian solidarity in the Spanish context.

Session IV, beginning at 3 p.m., entitled “Palestine and the media”, will look at the role of traditional and social media within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During the closing session, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., an outcome document will be presented.

For information about the International Conference contact Julien Vaissier (United Nations Department of Political Affairs), e-mail:  vaissier@un.org, or visit www.un.org/depts/dpa/qpal/calendar.htm.  For media registration, contact Ines Castellano (Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity), e-mail:  ines.castellano.ext@andaluciasolidaria.org.