THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
The Damascus International
Declaration In Defence Of The Palestinian Right Of Return
23-24 November 2008
We the participants in the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return
which was hosted by the Arab Syrian cap ital, Damascus, during the period 23rd –
24th November 2008 with the attendance of more than 5,000 delegates from
organizations, associations, political parties, popular unions and syndicates
for the right of return representing Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and
international personalities of all persuasions as well as Palestinian
communities from all parts of the world and which demonstrated an undertaking of
historic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle for their
legitimate and inalienable rights.
And in support of the Palestinian right of return and vowing to continue
defending and supporting their efforts to realize it we declare the following:
1. The right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and lands from
which they were expelled with compensation for the losses that they have
incurred lies at the centre and heart of the Palestinian issue. It is a
deeply-rooted and inalienable right that cannot be compromised, bargained or
diminished.
2. The right of return is a legitimate and natural right, individual and
collective, guaranteed by religions, conventions and international laws. It is a
permanent right that cannot be annulled by time. It is also an absolute right.
No party individual or collective, unofficial or official, possess the right to
concede this right, likewise it is unacceptable to hold referenda about it.
3. The Congress reaffirms the need to popularize the culture of resistance and
its practice as the option of resistance is the best and shortest way to realize
the return of the refugees to their homes. It calls for the safeguarding of this
option and its fortification on the national, patriotic, Islamic and
international fronts.
4. The adherence to the right of return is among the priorities of the
Palestinian national liberation struggle and the Arab, Islamic and international
liberation project. The undertaking by the free peoples of the ummah and the
world to defend this right is a humanitarian and civilizational duty.
5. We support the Palestinian people in reaffirming their permanent allegiance
to their land and country, civilizational legacy and Arab and Islamic identity.
The Congress also reaffirms its commitment to their unity in Palestine and
abroad as it is a prerequisite to protect their just rights which cannot be
disregarded, bargained, divided or deferred.
6. The expulsion of the Palestinian people was conducted by the Zionist forces
through adopted terrorist methods, murder and massacres which were effectively a
crime ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The international powers
which aided and provided all forms of assistance to the Zionist project also
bear responsibility.
7. Any initiative which diminishes the right of the refugees to return are
condemned and rejected whether it involves compensation, resettlement,
naturalization or an alternative home regardless of the personalities, agencies
or organizations that stand behind these initiatives.
8. We call upon the United Nations (UN) to expedite the right of return without
further delay. The continued suffering of the refugees is a blatant indictment
of the international system, evidence of its tyranny and its dependence on the
law of the jungle.
9. The UN must assume responsibility to enable the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestinian Refuges in the Near East (UNRWA) to continue its
duty in all theatres of its operation.
10. The actions of the Zionists aimed at expelling more Palestinians are
dangerous criminal actions which must be resisted. It is also mandatory to
resist all ‘population exchange’ and ‘transfer’ initiatives and settlements and
the racist wall which aim to change the demographic and geographic identity of
Palestine.
11. It is the right of the Palestinian refugees to enjoy civil, economic and
social rights in all places of refuge until they are repatriated. It is the duty
of the Arab states in which they reside to guarantee these rights and remove all
forms of oppression and suffering.
12. We regard the what is called the ‘Jewish state’ a pretext to complete the
expulsion of the Palestinians who live in the part of their land occupied and in
1948 and an attempt to annul the right of return and entrench the ‘Jewish Law of
Return’ which is clearly a legitimization of this symbol of racism in Palestine
and endorsement of the settlement project at the expense of the Palestinian
people and their identity.
13. The Congress commends the steadfastness of the Palestinian people inside and
abroad as well as their resistance and sacrifices throughout the years and
generations - men, women, elders and children, liberated and prisoners in the
face of expulsion and settlement campaigns.
14. All the institutions and organizations and agencies that defend the right of
return are called upon to coordinate their efforts and contribute to the
mobilization of Palestinian, Arab, Islamic, Christian and humanitarian resources
and power, regionally and internationally, in order to realize a global
consensus to implement the right of return and defeat any attempt to abrogate or
conspire against it.
15. We call for the activation of political, legal, economic, media and
educational instruments and methods to defend the right of return and
disseminate its culture and entrench it in the souls of generations, especially
the young and upcoming.
16. Sixty years have passed since the rape of Palestine without the realization
of the return of the Palestinians to their homes and lands, the UN is therefore
obliged to revoke the membership of the Zionist entity and expel it for the
international system since the repatriation of the Palestinian refugees
constituted a precondition for its admission.
We proclaim this Covenant which is not subject to alteration or exchange in
honour of our obligation to the right of return and in defence of it and our
duty to transmit it to future generations until the Palestinian people regain
their right and return to their homes and country.
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THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return to Syria
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
reaffirm that the right of return is an integral and indivisible part of the
right of the ummah to freedom, independence and liberation of its land. They
reaffirm their support for the national, patriotic and liberation stand of Syria
and the steadfastness of its people under the leadership of Dr Bashar Al Asad in
the face of all forms harassment, threats and aggression the last of which was
the abhorrent American attack on Syrian territory.
In this context the participants emphasize also the need to liberate the
Occupied Golan by all means available and it salutes the continued steadfastness
of the inhabitants of the Golan. They call upon the sons of the ummah and the
free people of the world to act decisively to support the right of Syria to
liberate its occupied land as it is the right of the entire ummah to liberate
its land and protect its independence and protect its national security.
The participants acknowledge in the hosting of Damascus of their Arab Congress a
reaffirmation of the steadfastness of Syria, its people, leadership and
presidency, in its policies which are based on defence of the right and
interests of the ummah and its national fixtures.
The participants in concluding their work convey their profound gratitude to
President Dr Basher al Asad, the Syrian leadership and people for providing all
the facilities needed for the success of the Congress and in securing the best
means for the Congress to disseminate its message to the ummah and the free
peoples of the world.
Damascus
24/11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return to the
people of Iraq
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return view
the American occupation of Iraq a threat to Arab nationalist security, a
demonstration of absolute support for the security of the Zionist entity and the
continuation of its aggression and usurpation of the rights of the Palestinian
people foremost of which is the right of return. They regard support for the
Iraqi resistance and safeguarding of the unity and Arab identity of Iraq an
important step toward the restoration of the Palestinian people of their land
and rights.
In this context the participants declare their total support for the strong
stand of the Iraqi people in rejecting the security agreement which the American
administration is seeking to impose on Iraq. They warn of the direct harm and
dangers that will emanate from this agreement on the sovereignty of Iraq, its
independence and future; similarly, the Arab nationalist security and the
security of the neighboring countries, their sovereignty and independence. They
call upon all the popular forces, unions and Arab and international political
parties to assist the Iraqi people to overturn this humiliating agreement
through the liberation of their land and safeguarding of its national unity.
The Congress salutes the Palestinian people residing in Iraq who are suffering
from increased aggression and forced expulsion anew. They demand the
preservation of their rights and provision of the means of a dignified life and
allow them to return to their homes in Palestine. It condemns the persecution
that they are subjected to.
Damascus
24/11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return to the male
and female prisoners in Israeli jails
We the participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
convened in the Conferences Palace in Damascus and attended by numerous
Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and international delegations impart to you our
immense pride for your invaluable sacrifices in your struggle for freedom and
dignity.
The kidnap of 12,000 male and female prisoners, their incarceration in the
darkness of Zionist prisons and detention centres and their subjection to
various kinds of abuse, torture and denial of their most basic rights exposes
the nature of this occupation which is based on brutality, repression and the
violation of all the principles of human rights and attempts to stifle the will
of the Palestinian people.
We follow with admiration this heroic steadfastness that you, male and female,
embody behind the prison bars. This demonstrates your success in this struggle
of wills with your jailers and their settler entity which is incapable of
striking out your determination, perseverance and adherence to your just rights.
We have investigated the conditions of detention and imprisonment and the
extensive violations it entails and particularly the inhumane conditions that
female prisoners, mothers and children are subjected to in the Zionist jails. We
strongly condemn these practices and list them among the crimes of the Zionist
entity.
Likewise we denounce the kidnap of the parliamentarians elected by the
Palestinian people and their head, the speaker of the parliament, Dr Aziz Al
Dweik and other leaders of the Palestinian national struggle.
We reassure you that we regard your issue and the need for your immediate
release a central issue for which all people of the Arab and Islamic ummah and
free people of the world would struggle and place at the top of their
priorities.
We salute you and through you salute with pride your families and the families
of the martyrs of Palestine.
We are convinced that you will attain freedom and your steadfastness will remain
a school from where lessons in glory and dignity would be taught.
Accept our highest esteem.
Damascus
24/ 11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return concerning
the criminal siege of the Gaza Strip
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
convened in the Conferences Palace in Damascus and attended by numerous
Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and international delegations strongly condemn the
continued imposition of the oppressive siege on one million and a half
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip which constitutes a crime against humanity (the
crime of genocide), a flagrant breach of human values and international
conventions and a form of punishment that should be resisted and evoke alertness
of its dangerous consequences.
The siege policy now in its second year have reached unprecedented levels of
violation of the rights of the people of Gaza who are isolated from the entire
world and deprived of all the necessities of life. It constitutes a hideous scar
on the forehead of the entire international community and its leading powers in
particular, not to mention the responsibility of the Arab states in this regard.
History would record a black page for the failure of the Arabs to break the
siege and they were able to do it.
The Arab International Congress for the right of return is bewildered that some
Arab parties have themselves endorsed the siege; indeed they have participated
in it to the extent that it is no longer possible to conceal or remain quiet
about it. The Congress calls for immediate Egyptian steps to open the Rafah
Crossing, the only opening of the Gaza Strip to the outside world and their only
remaining lifeline. They must allow the Gaza Strip to import the necessities of
life, transportation and basic services such as water, electricity, fuel and
medicine. There is no doubt the continued closure of the Rafah Crossing is
inconsistent with Egypt’s Arab standing and with the role that is expected of
it. We do no accept this stand for its historical records as it does not
represent the true nationalist and patriotic will of the Egyptian people.
The Congress calls upon the decent people of the Arab and Islamic ummah and the
world to raise the level of their demands to confront the criminal siege of Gaza
and launch far-reaching activities to end the siege and deliver support for the
people of Gaza.
The Congress emphasizes the necessity to break the oppressive siege imposed on
the Gaza Strip by all means and methods. The Congress salutes in this regard the
ships of ‘Hope’ and ‘Dignity’ and all similar initiatives which broke the siege
highlighting the need for further decisive Arab, Islamic and international
initiatives until this organized criminal programme is ended. Ultimately it will
be recorded in history as a distinctly heinous war crime. They must specifically
send truck loads of support as well as Arab and international ships. It calls
upon the Arab and Islamic peoples to offer whatever relief they can to the
people of Gaza especially and the people of Palestine generally and pressure
their governments to lift the siege.
Damascus
24/ 11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return concerning
the issue of Jerusalem
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
convened in the Conferences Palace in Damascus and attended by numerous
Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and international delegations express their
heightened concern and disquiet over the growing threats meted out to the city
of Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine as a result of the policy of systematic
judaization and attempts to efface its Palestinian Arab identity. The Congress
is equally concerned with the Zionist efforts to impose a de facto settler
policy in the city and the continued restrictions on the legitimate Jerusalemite
inhabitants aimed at expelling them.
The Arab International Congress for the right of return particularly warns of
the danger of tampering with the blessed Masjid Al Aqsa and the Islamic and
Christian endowments in the Holy City. It warns of the risks of pursuing the
systematic eradication of the Arab identity of the city, its historic sites and
their special civilizational and cultural character and the efforts to isolate
the indigenous Jerusalemite population from the rest of Palestine and restrict
them by walls, fences and settlements.
The Congress calls attention to the choice of Jerusalem as the Arab cultural
capital for 2009. It is an occasion to renew Arab and international focus on the
realties of the occupation and its oppressive and arbitrary policies toward the
rights of Jerusalem and its legitimate Jerusalemite inhabitants as well as the
need to intensify efforts to support Palestinian steadfastness in the city and
develop the instruments of support and assistance to the Jerusalemites in their
struggle.
The Arab International Congress for the right of return call for an Arab,
Islamic and international response in accord with their responsibility. It calls
for sanctions on the Israeli Occupation for its violations, breaches, its
expansive racist policies and expansionism in Jerusalem. Equally it calls for
urgent Arab, Islamic and international efforts to confront this grave danger to
Jerusalem and its sanctuaries.
The Congress sends its greetings to the Jerusalemites who are steadfast in the
battle of truth and justice and allegiance to their city with its identity and
sanctuaries in spite of the priceless sacrifices they make to secure their
freedom and honor.
Damascus
24/ 11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return to the
people of Sudan
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
convinced of the longstanding and current danger of the Zionist role in the
plots to dismember Sudan and undermine its national unity, Arab, African and
Islamic identity and halt its role as a bridge between the Arab ummah and its
strategic and civilizational depth in Africa declare their firm support for the
people of Sudan in their struggle against all forms of colonial intervention,
dubious internationalization and provocative initiatives. It calls upon all the
dynamic forces in Sudan to close their ranks and deepen their understanding and
unity and deny any opportunity to all those who seek to subvert the unity of
Sudan, its security and stability.
The participants call upon the Arab and Islamic states to fully bear their
responsibility to thwart the conspiracies aimed at Sudan and by extension the
Arab national security in its entirety.
Damascus
24/ 11/2008
THE ARAB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF RETURN
Conferences Palace, Damascus,
23-24 November 2008
Letter from the Arab International Congress for the Right of Return to the
people of Lebanon
The participants in the Arab International Congress for the right of return
salute the brave people of Lebanon in their resistance and distinguished victory
over the Zionist enemy. They regard support of the resistance and unity of the
Lebanese people and the sanitizing of Lebanese-Palestinian relations of all
infections is a central pillar in the battle for the right of return. They
regard this as part of the Lebanese nationalist battle against the dubious
settlement and expulsion projects which requires combined Lebanese and
Palestinian efforts for the right of return in all fields and endeavors. They
reaffirm the need for the immediate reconstruction of Nahr Al Bared refugee camp
and end the suffering of its residents.
Damascus
24/ 11/2008