On Tuesday, 27 August 2019, Al-Haq General Director, Mr. Shawan Jabarin, met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, to brief her on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The meeting focused on Israel’s rapid settlement expansion, killings of Palestinians, closure and blockade of the Gaza Strip, as well as the systematic displacement, dispossession and fragmentation of the Palestinian people. During the meeting, the UN High Commissioner expressed her respect for international law and human rights norms and commitment to the implementation of mandates entrusted to her by the Human Rights Council. 
In particular, the role of business enterprises in prolonging and sustaining Israel’s occupation of the OPT and permanent expansion of the settlement enterprise, while making profit, was discussed. In this regard, Mr. Jabarin presented the High Commissioner with a joint letter on behalf of more than 100 Palestinian, regional and international organizations, calling for the release of the United Nations database of businesses engaged in activities related to Israeli settlements, in line with Human Rights Council Resolution 31/36 of March 2016.