The Association of Social Workers in Iceland encourages the Icelandic authorities to use their power in the international community to stop the conflict in Gaza. The goal of social work is to work against human rights violations wherever they occur. Social Workers in Iceland and social workers all over the world feel there is a strong need for the international society to join hands to reverse the awful development in Palestine and stop the human rights violations that are taking place in the Gaza area with bombings on hospitals, schools and refugee camps where number of civilians and children has been killed. Social workers around the world are terrified of the news received from Gaza and a week ago a social worker, Hashem Khader Abu Maria, was shot to death when he took part in a solidarity walk with Palestine. The Association of Social Workers in Iceland condemns the death of Hashem and sends its condolences to his family and social workers in Palestine. The Association of Social Workers in Iceland supports the call of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) to the international community and its 115 member organizations around the world to challenge their government to support peace based on the fundamental ideas of self-determination, social and economic equality and social protection. The international community must take action to ensure peace in Gaza so that the future will be based on rights, dignity and stability to the population of Palestine and Israel, but the basic values of social work is respect for human dignity and human rights of all. The Association of Social Workers in Iceland encourages the Icelandic authorities to fight against the human rights abuses that are taking place in Palestine with all their might at international levels.
On behalf of the Association of Social Workers in Iceland
Mary Rúnarsdóttir,
Chairperson
Telephone: 6995111
Website: www.felagsradgjof.is