What to Expect from the 80th United Nations General Assembly
By Maria Mariani As the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opened on September 9 in New York City, world leaders are gathering amidst unprecedented challenges in peace, security, and global governance.[1] This year’s assembly is not merely a forum for diplomatic dialogue; it rather comes at a critical and fragile time for addressing urgent crises that threaten global stability and security, particularly in light of ongoing war on Gaza, rising geopolitical tensions, and dramatic financial cuts to the humanitarian aid, having drastic consequences for the world’s most vulnerable. The forthcoming UNGA has been anticipated by a significant point of controversy, emerged with the United States’ decision to withhold or revoke visas for Palestinian Authority and Palestinian Liberation Organization officials, preventing their attendance.[2] Despite that move, in a landmark vote on last Friday, 142 nations adopted the Saudi-French New York Declaration for an independent Palestinian statehood, giving new momentum to the two-state solution.[3] This vote, reflecting an unprecedented global consensus for international recognition of Palestine safeguards and Palestinian right to self-determination, now paves the way to the next UN conference on the two-state solution, co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris, on September 22, where a number of states including France, the UK, Canada, Belgium, and Australia have pledged to formally recognize the state of Palestine.[4] This is the latest step in growing international pressure on Israel to end its war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,000 people, injured tens of thousands, and created famine conditions amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. This war serves also as a stark reminder of the UN’s foundational mission to promote peace and security worldwide, as outlined in its Charter[5] and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[6] With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalating, the urgency for decisive action is undeniable and so far, the UN system has failed to provide realistic responses. The relentless attacks on the people, the recurrent violation of the international humanitarian law, the impunity in which occupying countries act casts a shadow over the future of multilateral institutions and the international legal framework designed to protect individuals and uphold justice. Compounding these challenges is the UN’s ongoing funding crisis, which has reached a critical point. The Trump administration has undertaken widespread cuts to foreign aid, including hundreds of millions to UN agencies and caps on further spending, which is a significant scale-back, as the US remains the largest funder of the UN, providing about $13bn in 2023.[7] Many member states struggle to fulfill their financial commitments, severely hindering the Organization’s capacity to respond effectively to crises. This situation not only undermines the UN’s operational effectiveness but also raises questions about its legitimacy as a global governing body. If the UN cannot secure adequate resources to fulfill its mandate, its role will continue to diminish. Moreover, the current funding model is increasingly perceived as inequitable, with calls for reform growing louder. More countries from the Global South, in particular India, Brazil, China, South Africa, are demanding a more substantial role in shaping the UN’s agenda and decision-making process. This call for greater representation is not simply a matter of equity; it is essential for effective governance in an era where power dynamics are globally shifting. The UN must adapt to reflect the diverse realities of a multipolar world, where different perspectives are crucial in addressing the complex challenges of peace and security. This push from the South is not an attack to the multilateral world or a call to dismantle the UN system, rather it is an opportunity to remake the system of global governance, to suit ends more precisely, and also to serve people more directly, since these countries represent most of the world’s population. Conclusively, as we are witnessing an alarming rise in violence and instability, spanning from the Arab region to Eastern Europe and beyond, it is imperative for world leaders to confront the pressing challenges of our time with urgency. The consequences of inaction are already proven to be dire, as the war on Gaza is highlightening how debilitating major-power division can be with millions of lives at stake. Therefore, during this UNGA, member states are once more urged to turn their pledges and commitments into tangible results. The success or failure of these efforts will be critical, not only in determining the future credibility, relevance and effectiveness of the UN, but also in reshaping the current multilateral system. If member states fail to act decisively and courageously, we risk a scenario where the world is governed by the strongest and most aggressive players, threatening international stability and security. Word leaders must then unite in a concerted effort, strongly affirming their responsibility to promoting and safeguarding the principles of humanity, solidarity, justice and peace, as they pledged to do when when they adopted the UN Charter. [1] https://www.un.org/en/high-level-week-2025 [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/29/us-denies-visas-for-palestinian-officials-ahead-of-un-assembly [3] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2615205/middle-east [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/9/illusions-stripped-away-what-to-know-about-the-80th-un-general-assembly [5] https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text [6] https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights [7] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/06/the-un-is-our-best-defence-against-a-third-world-war-as-trump-wields-the-axe-who-will-fight-to-save-it
ARDD Hosts Training on Global Diplomacy Strategies and Local Realities
As part of its ongoing partnership with Independent Diplomat, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) hosted a specialized training aimed at strengthening the diplomatic tools of organizations working in Jordan and linking global perspectives with local realities. The training brought together staff from Tahfeez Association and ARDD, the official partners of Independent Diplomat in Jordan, alongside representatives of diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, trainers, volunteers, and refugees. The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands delivered opening remarks, adding valuable insights on diplomacy to the discussions. Focusing on the history of refugee rights in Jordan, the program combined theoretical sessions with practical workshops designed to build effective strategies for engaging decision-makers and amplifying the voices of local organizations in global policy arenas. The training also drew on Jordan’s extensive experience with UNHCR, providing a unique perspective on connecting international frameworks with national policies. Community leaders shared their reflections on the experience. Samia, representing the Sudanese community in Jordan, said: “The training gave me the opportunity to use my personal experience in shaping effective diplomatic messages and linking local issues to the international scene.” Mohammed, a leader from the Yemeni community, added: “I gained practical skills to engage with decision-makers. I now feel that our voices can truly influence policy.” This initiative is part of a series of trainings that will continue throughout the coming year, aimed at empowering organizations working on refugee and humanitarian issues to strengthen their advocacy tools, highlight shared challenges with host communities, and engage international audiences. By doing so, ARDD and its partners seek to advance justice and fairness in global policies on asylum and displacement.
The White Dress: From a Difficult Childhood to Leadership and Empowerment
By Sondos Saleh, participant in the She Leads program When I was in third grade, my mother surprised me with three dresses: pink, white, and lilac. She told me to pick one for my elementary school graduation ceremony. I still remember my messy hair that day, but I chose the white dress anyway. I imagined myself wearing it proudly once my hair was styled for the big celebration. But life had other plans. Financial hardship forced me to leave school before graduation. The white dress never made it out of the closet. For years, it hung there — a painful reminder of a dream cut short. I grew up thinking acceptance meant surrender, that what we lose in this life could only be restored in heaven. My sister Sally, however, never let go of hope. I used to pray that she would never carry the same sadness I did. Then came the miracle: Sally was awarded a scholarship, then we joined the She Leads program, implemented by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). I wasn’t eligible — I was only sixteen — but on my birthday, I received the news that I had been accepted. It felt like a divine gift. That was the beginning of a new understanding for me: acceptance is not giving up. It’s about living, creating, and finding your own way. Circumstances are not a wall, but a force that can push you forward. With this mindset, I joined a six-month media training, and my journey truly began. Fear didn’t disappear overnight. It tried to pull me back into the “dark circle” I knew so well. But then another chance with She Leads came along. I hesitated until my mother reminded me: “Time passes quickly — don’t waste the opportunity.” Her words gave me the courage to keep going. In the program, Sally and I began addressing issues we saw every day: domestic violence, girls being denied education. In one session, we shared a symbolic image — a matchstick lighting a candle. They are different, yet they complete each other. Our message was simple but powerful: “We need one another to shine.” Step by step, I gained the tools to understand rights, politics, and advocacy. My team even won first place in an international competition on women’s empowerment in the labor market, competing with peers from Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Today, I am no longer just a statistic. I am an activist, a defender of girls’ and disability rights, and a UNICEF global ambassador. Yes, I have a physical disability. Yes, I use a wheelchair. But it doesn’t confine me — it gives me wings. As I often say: “It made me fly while sitting.” I even co-authored a regional policy brief on online violence against girls, and I traveled by plane for the first time in my life — to Lebanon. None of this would have been possible without my mother. She dedicated everything to us, hiding her exhaustion behind a smile, putting her own dreams aside. “Mama forgot herself for our sake,” I often say. “Our success is the fruit of her sacrifices.” After three years of challenges, Sally and I opened our own photography studio. We turned our knowledge into deeper understanding. Because knowledge alone isn’t enough — you need to truly make sense of it. That’s why I wrote a booklet on early marriage and girls’ right to education, titled Understanding Knowledge, to share the spirit of She Leads with the world. And what about the white dress? It finally came off the hanger. But this time, I didn’t wear it as a little girl at graduation. I wore it as a leader, an advocate, and a woman who transformed her story. The white dress no longer symbolizes a lost dream — it is now the dress of empowerment. And I must say: it has never looked more beautiful.
ARDD Holds Dialogue Session on the New National E-Invoicing System
In line with the global shift toward digital transformation, the Jordanian government launched the National E-Invoicing System, which became mandatory in April 2025. The system, officially issued in 2022 under tax legislation, aims to digitize invoices to ensure accurate documentation of transactions, improve tax collection, and curb tax evasion. It represents a key step toward a sustainable digital economy, requiring close cooperation between the government and all sectors for successful implementation. In this context, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) held a dialogue session on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, as part of the New Generation project, focusing on the new National E-Invoicing System. The session brought together associations from the Coordination of Youth Institutions and the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) to shed light on the system’s mechanisms and respond to questions from civil society organizations regarding its application. The session featured remarks by Ayman Khawaldeh, Director of the Invoicing Directorate at the Income and Sales Tax Department, with the discussion moderated by Rami Quwaider, Legal Advisor at ARDD. Khawaldeh outlined the main features of the system, emphasizing its flexibility, which enables taxpayers to join easily and without additional costs. He highlighted that the system helps speed up tax procedures, facilitates access to tax clearance certificates, and enhances transparency and trust between taxpayers and the authority. He explained that invoices are issued and stored electronically within a regulated system that meets invoicing and monitoring requirements, noting that registration is available through the department’s website using the taxpayer’s tax number and password. Khawaldeh stressed that the invoicing system is no longer just a digital platform, but a reform tool that reshapes the relationship between the state and citizens on the basis of transparency, accountability, and tax justice. The Income and Sales Tax Department first launched the system in late 2022, marking the start of companies joining the national invoicing network. Earlier this year, the legislative framework for the second phase was adopted, expanding application to local purchases of taxable goods and services through official invoices. Participants underscored the importance of regular evaluation to address potential loopholes, broadening the system to include more sectors, and ensuring it is supported by a balanced legislative framework that imposes penalties on violators without burdening compliant taxpayers. They also emphasized the importance of law enforcement in strengthening trust and transparency, and called for continued efforts to raise awareness of the invoicing system, particularly in the governorates and among nonprofit organizations, including civil society groups. The New Generation project seeks to strengthen partnerships between youth civil society organizations and encourage collective youth action through creative approaches that amplify young people’s voices and enhance their participation in the public sphere.
ARDD holds a Digital Symposium on Participatory Governance in the Arab Region
The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC), as part of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), facilitated an engaging virtual discussion titled “Reimagining Participatory Governance in the Arab Region: Local Practices and Comparative Lessons from Karenni State.” The webinar aimed at advancing a new understanding of governance in the complex, challenging context of the Arab world, where prolonged conflicts, fragile institutions, and declining public trust have highlighted the limits of top-down approaches to civic engagement. In response, localized and participatory approaches—emphasizing civic trust, inclusion of youth and women, and proximity networks linking state and society—are increasingly viewed as essential to rebuilding legitimacy and resilience across the region. Against this backdrop, the case of Karenni State in Myanmar offered a powerful comparative lens: its locally driven governance structures, emerging amid conflict and institutional collapse, provide valuable lessons on decentralization, accountability, and community-based legitimacy that resonate with Arab contexts of fragmentation and transition. The RSC convened four esteemed panelists to reflect on these themes across two sessions, connecting regional governance debates with global comparative insights.The RSC brought four esteemed panelists together to discuss local governance frameworks within their country specialty across two sessions. The speakers for Session I, titled “Governance from Below in Conflict-Affected Settings – the Karenni State Experience,” included Khun Bedu, Vice-Chairperson of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council, and Khaldoon Bakahail, Senior Strategic Advisory at the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and former Yemeni Deputy Minister for Internal Administration. The speakers for Session II, titled “Conceptualizing Governance in the Arab Region – Challenges, Alternatives, and Emerging Models,” included Mohanad Adnan, Executive Director of Roya Development Group Iraq, and Deema Abu Thiab, Head of Country Programme: UN Habitat Jordan. Session I: Facilitated by Charles Petrie, ARDD Senior Advisor and former UN Assistant Secretary General, commenced the webinar by establishing its key themes. A starting premise is that when strong, central, many times oppressive, regimes collapse, the spaces vacated allow local governance structures to emerge. Attempting to try to reestablish a central authority – very much a Westphalian approach to governance – becomes almost impossible in the short to medium term. The examples of Somalia, Central African Republic, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar being among the demonstrations of this reality. There is thus a need to acknowledge the existence of these local governance structures and understand the contribution they can make in re-establishing a functioning State. Khun Bedu presented his unique experience in Karenni and their bottom-up federalism framework which prioritizes institution building, decentralizing power to local administrations, and improving local trust through transparency and accountability of the administrative structures. Khaldoon Bakahail expanded and applied these notions to the context of Yemen, explaining how fragmentation, and the essence of conflict itself, has laid the groundwork for local stabilization initiatives, and advocacy toward a more representative and federalist structure. The session then opened the floor for audience participation. Issues that were raised included climate change, food insecurity, and the role of external assistance. To the query of the role of external assistance, Bedu outlined Karenni’s attempt to establish a regional multi-donor trust fund. Bakahail strongly advocated for the international community to not intervene in Yemeni’s political power-sharing negotiations. Instead, the focus should be turned towards reviving the federal framework that had been agreed to in the past and that could ensure some levels of stability. Bakahail went on to say that the question of climate change and food insecurity must be addressed with a holistic approach, involving civil society, youth, and women. Local mitigation strategies should be tailored to provide opportunities for climate action. Session II: Facilitated by Mariam Abu Samra, Coordinator at the RSC, expanded the concepts explored in the first session and focused on the governance experiences characterizing differing contexts across the Arab region. Of primary importance was engagement from the ground-up, with emphasis on the participation of youth, the disabled, and women in identifying opportunities. Mohanad Adnan articulated how Iraq, as a country that experienced decades of conflict, has witnessed a power struggle between its federal parliament and its local and provincial councils. The fear that the provincial councils were siphoning too much power from the federal parliament – a conflict of authority – led to the dissolution of provincial councils. Adnan emphasized the role protests played in getting the youth greater recognition from the government, something that women and the disabled have yet to achieve. Deema Abu Thiab brought the discussion to the local Jordanian context, where UN Habitat works to engage citizens in shaping policies that will allow for a better urban future. In connection with Adnan, Abu Thiab explained how creative initiatives, such as the Jabal Amman Neighbourhood Planning project with ARDD, aim to encourage youth participation and the promotion of community-driven planning. When opened to the wider discussion with viewers, Abu Thiab and Adnan both expressed the immediate need for climate action initiatives pertaining to flash flood prevention in Jordan and water treatment mechanisms in Iraq. This discussion brought experienced individuals from a range of contexts together to explore the significance and potential of local governance in addressing the challenges of the Arab region and the world as a whole. Such questions as youth and female participation, as well as the threat of climate change were raised. Contrary to conventional perception, it was argued that conflict can form the necessary foundation for the emergence of viable local governance structures. Accepting this reality and building strategies incorporating local governance can contribute to future stability in the face of a constantly changing world.
Statement in Support of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories
The Global Network on the Question of Palestine (GNQP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the 9 July 2025 sanctions imposed by the United States against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. These sanctions are politically motivated and legally indefensible. They represent a direct threat to the integrity and independence of international human rights mechanisms. The timing of these sanctions is especially alarming. They were announced soon after Francesca Albanese published her report to the Human Rights Council, in which she analyses and documents corporate complicity throughout Israel’s genocide in Gaza. This is an apparent breach of international law, including by 60 named corporations profiting from the ongoing genocide. In keeping with her mandate, Ms. Albanese formally recommended that the ICC investigate and possibly prosecute such complicit corporate actors. The system of Special Procedures is a central component of the United Nations human rights system within which Special Rapporteurs play an indispensable role. In 1999, the International Court of Justice held that UN Special Rapporteurs are to be considered “experts on missions for the United Nations”, within the definition provided by section 22 of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities. As such, they are entitled to the Convention’s privileges and immunities, including immunity from “legal process of every kind” for statements and actions carried out in the exercise of their functions. In 2011, the Human Rights Council adopted HCR/Res/16/21 (Document Viewer), which: reaffirmed the obligation of States to “cooperate with and assist special procedures in the performance of their tasks” (para. 23); noted that the “integrity and independence of the special procedures and the principles of cooperation, transparency and accountability are integral to ensuring a robust system of the special procedures that would enhance the capacity of the Council to address human rights situations on the ground.” (para. 24) Cooperation by States is imperative for Special Rapporteurs to implement their mandates without fearing retaliatory and diversionary moves by governments whose actions they have criticised. Furthermore, States must refrain from mobilising and encouraging others to criticise and incite action against Special Rapporteurs. As a condition of membership, all 193 UN member states have agreed to respect international law, the UN Charter, and to protect UN personnel in their course of discharging their formal duties. An added responsibility exists for the over 150 states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, that are parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Ms. Albanese has been sanctioned for upholding most effectively the responsibilities entrusted to her by the Human Rights Council, which has recently reaffirmed its confidence in her by extending her mandate for a second three-year term. The justifications for the sanctions lack all merit in international law besides containing errors of fact and demonstrably false allegations demeaning of the person and reputation of Ms. Albanese. These sanctions violate international legal norms and threaten the well-established rules of functional immunity that protect UN experts from reprisals while carrying out their official duties, in particular immunity from “legal process of every kind” under section 22(b) of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities. Such measures against Ms. Albanese as Special Rapporteur may constitute an unlawful act of extraterritorial coercion, for which the U.S. should itself be held internationally accountable. The attack on Ms. Albanese follows the February 2025 imposition of U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor and four of its judges. These actions exhibit an unacceptable pattern of disregard for international law and established international procedures and institutions. The ICC measures are designed to protect victims of human rights abuses and should be respected by Israel and United States even though they are not parties to the Rome Statute that provides a legal framework for ICC operations. Rather than abide by their obligations and engage with the extremely significant conclusions and related recommendations of the Special Rapporteur’s latest report, the US has resorted to reprisals which it has effectively admitted are motivated by prioritizing its economic and political strategic interests over its obligations under international law. This unilateral action is part of a broader effort to weaken and control the UN and other international accountability and reporting mechanisms that seek to protect vulnerable populations and uphold justice, including when they contravene strategic interests. The United States’ sanctions seem deliberately designed to undermine the essential work of Special Rapporteurs in highlighting the flagrant, severe, and prolonged crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza as well as well as to shield complicit states and corporations from all forms of accountability. In effect, these actors facilitate the commission of the most serious of international crimes, not only by funding and supplying the perpetrator, Israel, but also by their visible and back-channel efforts to discredit and dilute efforts to expose such international crimes and recommend punitive responses. As the International Court of Justice’s findings have made clear, stopping such crimes engages the legal responsibility of all states, not just those accused of perpetrating the crime. Special Rapporteur Ms. Albanese has been a highly praised mandate holder in what is perhaps the most controversial position within the Special Procedures framework of the Human Rights Council. She has carried out her difficult role in a thoroughly professional manner, celebrated worldwide as an influential and expert advocate of human rights for decades, particularly on behalf of those most victimized. Prior to becoming Special Rapporteur, she worked for a decade as a human rights expert for the United Nations, including in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with the Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees. Her record bears eloquent witness to her exceptional competence, experience, and integrity under fire, undoubted factors in her selection as Special Rapporteur for this ultra-sensitive position by the Human Rights Council. Unwarranted attacks on and punitive actions directed at a Special Rapporteur that appear motivated by the geopolitical interests of states are unacceptable
A Decade of Legal Aid for Refugees in Jordan: Lessons for Humanitarian Response and the Road Ahead
Over the past decade, Jordan has led the way in integrating legal aid into its refugee response. This article outlines key lessons from that journey and argues for legal aid to be recognized as a core humanitarian service, particularly in times of crisis and transition. As the Syrian refugee crisis enters a critical new phase, with expectation for more families preparing to return, it is worth revisiting a dimension of humanitarian action too often overlooked: legal aid. Over the past twelve years, Jordan has become a case study in how access to legal services shapes the daily lives, rights, and prospects of refugees, and why legal aid must be treated as an integral part of protection in humanitarian settings. Legal Aid: An Essential but Overlooked Lifeline When conflict or disaster forces people to flee, they often cross borders without official documents, relationships proof between individuals, or legal status. This invisibility can may lead to the birth of children without birth certificates, marriages going unregistered, families unable to claim inheritance rights, and people at constant risk of arrest or exploitation. International humanitarian standards — like the Sphere Handbook — define minimum thresholds for shelter, water, sanitation, and health. Yet they remain largely silent on legal needs. Evidence shows this gap has far-reaching consequences: refugees without official documents struggle to access education, healthcare, work permits, or social protection. They are more vulnerable to forced labor, early marriage, trafficking, and the risk of statelessness. These are conditions that entrench poverty and social tension. Jordan’s Journey: Embedding Legal Aid from the Start When the Zaatari Refugee Camp was established in 2012 to host tens of thousands of Syrians, legal risks emerged immediately. With no civil registration inside the camp, children were being born in risk of losing their nationality. Marriages, divorces, and deaths were going non-registered. Refugees risked detention if they left the camp without authorization. Recognizing these challenges, national civil society organizations, working alongside the Jordanian government and UNHCR, moved fast to embed legal aid as a core part of the refugee response. ARDD (Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development) — a Jordanian NGO — was among the first to provide dedicated legal services inside Zaatari Camp. It successfully advocated for the placement of civil status department offices inside the camp to record births, deaths and other related documentations, and supported the establishment of Sharia courts to register marriages and other vital events. This model was later replicated in Azraq Camp, ensuring that legal identity and protection services became standard in all major refugee camps in Jordan. Over time, this commitment expanded beyond camp borders: legal aid services reached Syrians living in urban areas and extended to vulnerable Jordanians in host communities, recognizing that poverty and exclusion often cut across nationality. Role of Partnerships and Coordination This progress was made possible through close collaboration with government institutions, the judiciary, UNHCR, and international donors. Strategic coordination among them helped ensure legal services were recognized, funded, and integrated into camp infrastructure and broader national frameworks. A National Team Trained for Protection These services were made possible by a large and growing team of Jordanian lawyers, paralegals, and legal counselors who have been trained and equipped over the years to handle the complex legal challenges that come with protracted displacement. Today, this national network operates through ARDD’s offices across the country, providing free legal counseling, representation before various courts, and awareness sessions in camps, cities, governorates, and remote communities alike. legal teams have contributed to resolving family cases, landlord-tenant disputes, detention and administrative arrest, labor rights claims, and tenancy problems — for both refugees and local families. They have also played a vital role in countering fraud and misinformation, especially at times of uncertainty, when rumors can spread quickly and expose communities to exploitation. Impact and Lessons Jordan’s experience reflects what global research consistently confirms: legal aid is not a luxury but a fundamental tool for protection. Refugees with valid official documents and access to justice are more likely to enroll their children in school, access healthcare, secure decent work, and resolve disputes peacefully. By contrast, lack of official documents deepens marginalization, undermines social cohesion, and can even affects stability. For example, during the early years of establishing the Zaatari camp, the absence of clear legal channels led to the emergence of complex legal practices and violations. The establishment of a clear legal framework—with the support of legal aid providers, civil status offices, and Sharia courts—helped to restore and organize legal conditions in the camp, reduce violations, and reinforce the rule of law within it. Since 2012, ARDD has provided legal counselling to over 65,000 refugees in Zaatari Camp, resolved more than 2,000 legal cases, and supported the issuance of over 3,500 civil documentation records—while serving an average of 100,000 individuals annually across Jordan. A New Phase: Preparing for Safe and Lawful Return Today, as voluntary return becomes an option for some, legal aid remains vital but takes new forms. Refugees who wish to return need to resolve pending debts, verify civil and criminal records, secure valid documents, and navigate exit and re-entry procedures. In Jordan’s camps and urban areas, ARDD’s legal teams continue to offer counseling and legal awareness sessions to help families understand their rights and obligations — ensuring that returns are voluntary, safe, and legally secure. At the same time, the legal needs of those who remain in the camps and beyond are no less urgent or necessary than others. Housing disputes, labor rights, family cases, and fraud prevention remain daily priorities, especially with increasing funding pressures and host communities continuing to bear the social and economic impacts of prolonged displacement. A Blueprint for Humanitarian Response Jordan’s decade-long experience demonstrates the necessity of considering legal aid as a fundamental pillar of humanitarian response, on par with shelter, water, food, and healthcare. It safeguards the dignity and rights of refugees while strengthening the resilience of host communities, who also benefit from equitable access to justice. ARDD’s
ARDD’s GNQP and L4P host presentation of new UN Special Rapporteur report: From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide
On 1 July 2025, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, presented her latest report during an online meeting hosted by ARDD and Law for Palestine (L4P). The event brought together members of ARDD’s Global Network on the Question of Palestine (GNQP) and members of L4P’s board and team. Entitled From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide, the report investigates the corporate machinery sustaining Israel’s settler-colonial project of displacement and replacement of Palestinians in the occupied territory. While political leaders and governments shirk their obligations, numerous corporate entities have profited from Israel’s economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now, genocide. The complicity exposed in the report is only the tip of the iceberg; ending it requires holding the private sector and its executives accountable. International law recognises varying degrees of responsibility—each demanding scrutiny and accountability—especially in this case, where an entire people’s self-determination and very existence are at stake. This is a necessary step towards ending the genocide and dismantling the global systems that have enabled it. In her introductory remarks, the Special Rapporteur highlighted that the report examines corporate entities across multiple sectors: arms manufacturers, tech firms, construction companies, extractive and service industries, banks, pension funds, insurers, universities, and charities. These entities enable the denial of self-determination and perpetuate structural violations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including occupation, annexation, and crimes of apartheid and genocide. The report also details a wide range of related crimes and human rights violations, from discrimination, wanton destruction, forced displacement, and pillage to extrajudicial killings and starvation. Following Albanese’s presentation, a lively Q&A session took place, with participants commending the report, requesting clarifications, and initiating discussions on how it could serve as a framework and platform for collective action to end the ongoing genocide, apartheid, occupation, and related crimes. Participants emphasised the importance of building on the existing momentum of global transformative solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian people. The full report is available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5923-economy-occupation-economy-genocide-report-special-rapporteur
War Breeds Refugees: A Region on the Brink of Mass Displacement
A Statement by MARFA On World Refugee Day
This World Refugee Day comes at a time of grave escalation and deepening danger. As the region teeters on the edge of yet another catastrophic conflict, this time between Iran and Israel, the threat of mass displacement looms larger than ever. The drums of war are not only echoing through Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, but also shaking the very foundations of neighboring states and faraway nations. With each missile launched and each border crossed by violence, the number of refugees is destined to surge. Let there be no mistake: wars create refugees, and we are now standing on the verge of an era-defining humanitarian crisis. The Migration and Refugee Forum for the Arab World (MARFA) issues an urgent call to action. As conflicts ignite and compound across the Arab region, the already staggering numbers of forcibly displaced persons are set to rise, pushed not only by bombs and bullets but by the collapse of political solutions, the erosion of international protection frameworks, and the continued failure of global powers to uphold justice. From the relentless bombardment of Gaza to the fragmentation of Sudan, from the smoldering frontlines in Yemen and Syria to the intensifying pressure in Lebanon and Jordan, the region is at a breaking point. Communities that have borne the weight of refugee protection for years, with dwindling resources and vanishing support, are now being asked to brace for yet another wave of displacement, this time on a potentially unprecedented scale. The violence currently unfolding is not an isolated flare-up. It is the result of decades of impunity, geopolitical manipulation, and disregard for human life. The targeting of civilians, the weaponization of siege, and the slow annihilation of entire populations, most visibly in Gaza, have become normalized, while accountability remains absent. As threats escalate between Iran and Israel, a regional war could unleash new, large-scale displacement that will overwhelm fragile states, destabilize neighboring societies, and send shockwaves across the Mediterranean and beyond. Let us be clear: the international community is not just failing to respond, it is complicit in the conditions producing this displacement. Refugees are not an accidental byproduct of conflict, they are the human face of failed diplomacy, ignored warnings, and abandoned peace. Despite this bleak reality, it is local communities (families, neighbors, schools, clinics) who continue to shoulder the burden of dignity and protection. Their solidarity is heroic, but it is not infinite. They are not substitutes for international action. Nor should they be left to manage the fallout of wars they did not start, or crises they did not create. MARFA calls for immediate and decisive measures. Stop the wars. Protect civilians. End forced displacement. Provide host communities with the tools, funding, and political backing they need, not just to survive the next influx, but to build just, inclusive futures. This means real investment in infrastructure, legal protections, and social cohesion. It also means dismantling the structures of occupation, exclusion, and violence that are at the root of displacement. On this World Refugee Day, we refuse to speak in neutral terms. This is not a time for reflection, it is a time for alarm. The risk of a new regional war, with mass refugee flows stretching from the Middle East to North Africa and Europe is real, and it is imminent. We urge governments, international institutions, civil society, and concerned individuals: Act now. Speak out. Invest in peace, not just aid. Treat displacement not as a symptom, but as a warning. Refugees are not crises to be managed, they are lives to be protected. And their protection begins with political will. The future of the people of the region and of a shared global humanity, depends on what we choose to do in this moment.
Urgent Appeal to the World: End Israel’s Reckless Wars and Ensure Accountability for its Crimes
A Statement by ARDD
The international community should immediately pull Israel back from its ongoing campaign of starvation and elimination in Gaza and its unprovoked aggression against Iran, and take all measures necessary, individually and collectively, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, to ensure compliance by Israel with its international obligations. The ongoing Israeli military campaigns against the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen were expanded dramatically, last Friday, with an unprovoked assault on Iran constituting an act of aggression in fragrant violation of the UN Charter. Not only does this add a sixth’ theater of war, inflicting unprecedented death and destruction on the Iranian people, Israel’s latest onslaught also served to deflect attention away from the ongoing genocide on the Palestinian population in Gaza and the ever more aggressive attacks on the West Bank. Only hours before initiating its attack on Iran, on June 12th, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/ES-10/L.34 with an overwhelming majority of 149 Member States in favour, 12 against and 19 abstentions. The resolution, entitled Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, not only reiterates earlier demands for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, but also demands the unconditional release not only of the hostages held by Hamas and other groups but also of those “arbitrarily detained”, a reference to the thousands detained by Israel without charge. The resolution strongly condemns “any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access”. Critically, the resolution “Stresses the need for accountability in order to ensure Israel’s respect of international law obligations, and in this regard calls upon all Member States to individually and collectively take all measures necessary, in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations.” Although the resolution as such is not binding, this call for accountability is grounded in peremptory norms of international laws that create binding obligations for all Member States. Except for Hungary voting against, and the Czeck Republic, Romania and Slovakia abstaining, all EU Member States voted for the resolution, signifying the strongest European commitment to date towards holding Israel accountable for the wide range of atrocity crimes it perpetrated against the Palestinian People. Against this backdrop, the expressions of support by leaders of many of the same European States for Israel’s unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter, stand in stark contrast. Their stand is not just legally and morally indefensible, but outright dangerous as it might serve as encouragement to other states to join the war as is reportedly under consideration.