RAMALLAH, Thursday, February 13, 2020 (WAFA) – Al-Haq human rights organization affirmed that the release of the United Nations’ list of firms operating in the Israeli colonial settlements was integral to ending corporate complicity in human rights violations.

“Al-Haq welcomes OHCHR’s report, and affirms that the release of the database is integral to ending corporate complicity in human rights violations and ensuring transparency and promoting accountability for business activities in the occupied Palestinian territory,” al-Haq said in a press statement.

“The report also recognizes the mandate provided by the Human Rights Council resolution 31/36, which included the annual update of the database,” it added.

Director of al-Haq Shawan Jabarin stressed the need to annually update the database.

“Adding and removing companies from the long-awaited database creates a necessary incentive and deterrent against engaging with Israel’s illegal settlement industry, as mandated by Human Rights Council resolution 31/36. It is therefore critical to annually update the database to bring an end to corporate complicity in Israel’s prolonged occupation and widespread and systematic human rights abuses,” Shawan was quoted as saying.

“Al-Haq commends OHCHR’s commitment, despite undue political pressure, to uphold human rights standards and the rule of law and to pursue justice and accountability,” the statement continued.

The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday finally released the long-anticipated database of 112 companies operating in the Israeli colonial settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Syria’s Golan Heights.

The release of the database comes after years of unexplained delays, which prompted human rights organizations to express concern that the UN was succumbing to political pressure to suppress the information.

K.F.