The HRIA Group of Human Rights Organizations has called on Sweden to reconsider its recent decision to halt funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In a letter addressed to the Swedish Foreign Minister, the group criticised the decision, describing it as ill-timed, given UNRWA’s critical role amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

The group expressed concern that Sweden’s decision aligns with longstanding efforts by Israel and the United States to undermine and dismantle UNRWA. It emphasised that the agency has been the target of systematic attempts to liquidate its operations, which are essential for addressing the humanitarian needs of millions of Palestinian refugees.

UNRWA’s services, which include education, healthcare, and food assistance, are a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. The HRIA warned that ceasing funding would severely exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly under the current conditions of war and displacement.

The organisation urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing aggression and to advocate for the rights of Palestinians, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. It also appealed to Sweden to reaffirm its commitment to supporting humanitarian initiatives by reinstating its financial contributions to UNRWA.

The HRIA’s call highlights the broader implications of Sweden’s decision, not only for Palestinian refugees but for the stability and viability of critical humanitarian efforts in one of the most vulnerable regions in the world.