Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights

The Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights is a Palestinian non-governmental organization (NGO) that uses research and legal advocacy to promote the protection of human rights for communities within the Gaza Strip region. 1 It advocates for Palestinian land rights in the disputed Palestinian territories and Gaza, a full arms embargo of Israel, and for economic, political, and diplomatic sanctions against Israel. 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Organization, Other
Website: www.mezan.org/en
Formation:

1999

Director:

Issam Younis

Contents

    Al Mezan provides legal aid and pursues litigation on behalf of Palestinians for alleged human rights violations in Palestinian and Israeli courts and in the ICC. 1 In September 2025, the second Trump administration announced sanctions on Al Mezan and other groups for its attempts to secure prosecution of Israeli officials by the ICC, since Israel and the United States are not states parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. 3

    Background

    The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is a Palestinian advocacy organization based in the Gaza Strip and founded in 1999. It claims to monitor international human rights law violations in the Palestinian territories. 1

    Al Mezan’s campaigns distribute materials throughout the disputed Palestinian territories, advocating for Israeli government officials to be tried for alleged human rights violations in international court. It advocates that foreign countries and the United Nations (UN) pursue criminal charges against Israeli officials. 1

    Post-October 7 Activities

    On the two-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights published a press release that stated, “Today marks two years since the start of one of the most shameful and inhumane atrocities in modern history: the ongoing, live-streamed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.” It argues that Israel had been committing “war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide” against Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip. It outlines the number of victims of the Israel-Hamas war, discussing the direct casualties, the impact of sanctions on civilians, and the destruction of buildings to support the idea that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. The press release did not mention Hamas or any acts of war or violence against Israel. 2

    In September 2025, the second Trump administration announced sanctions on Al Mezan and other groups for its attempts to secure prosecution of Israeli officials by the ICC, since Israel and the United States are not states parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. 3

    Following the October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the second Trump Administration, Al Mezan announced support for “a ceasefire agreement” but argued that a ceasefire is insufficient for addressing Israel’s so-called “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. In a press release, Al Mezan advocates for the “international community” to view the supposed famine, the destruction of buildings, alleged water shortages, poverty, and fatalities in Gaza that resulted from the Israel-Hamas war as evidence of Israel committing a genocide against Palestinians. As a result, the press release advocates for Israel to be held responsible for casualties and infrastructure damage in Gaza by being required to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza. Al Mezan added that it expects Israel to violate the ceasefire and separately perpetuate the so-called genocide through its sanctions on Gaza. 4

    Economic Policy

    The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights advocates that the United Nations pressure Israel to end blockades in Gaza, despite any security threats caused by the Israel-Hamas war, to address socioeconomic issues in Gaza. It claims that the blockades contribute to the alleged “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza, perpetuating the destruction of residential areas and an alleged famine and inhibiting the ability of Gazan authorities to provide public education. Al Mezan also advocates that countries “materially support” the reconstruction of Gaza’s “public and economic infrastructure” and fund public programs to the extent necessary to “eradicate” poverty and “restore the livelihoods of Palestinians in Gaza” under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 5

    Opposition to the Death Penalty in Gaza

    The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights campaigns in opposition to capital punishment under the Gaza judiciary. It advocates for the abolition of the death penalty in Gaza and condemns the Gaza judiciary for assigning it and argues that Gazan authorities’ use of the death penalty violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’ (ICCPR) treaties. In an August 2023 press release, Al Mezan reported on Gaza’s Military Court of Appeal hanging five people, in addition to dozens of other cases, arguing that the punishments were inhumane, cruel, and an illegal form of torture. It reported on the details of one hanging, stating that it was issued as punishment for a man who was guilty of collaborating with a “hostile entity.” 6

    According to the Jerusalem Post, the individuals whom Al Mezan reported were hanged had been found guilty of collaborating with Israel for allegedly providing information about Hamas, including information about where it held rockets. 7

    Partner Organizations

    The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is a partner of the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council, the Palestinian Digital Rights Coalition, the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity, the International Federation for Human Rights, the World Organization Against Torture, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, the Habitat International Coalition, Euro-Med Rights, the Arab Organization for Human Rights, and the oPt Protection Cluster. 1

    Funding

    In 2024, the Foundation for Middle East Peace reported making a $250,000 grant to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, but also reported on its tax returns that it suspended all funding following the U.S. State Department’s sanctioning of Al Mezan in 2025. 8

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    References

    1. “About Us.” Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. Accessed March 14, 2026. https://www.mezan.org/en/page/11/About-Us.
    2. “Entering a Third Year of Genocide in Gaza: PCHR, Al-Haq, and Al Mezan Condemn International Inaction in the Face of the Ongoing Destruction and Dispossession of Palestinians.” Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. October 7, 2025. https://www.mezan.org/en/post/46785.
    3. “Sanctioning Foreign NGOs Directly Engaged in ICC’s Illegitimate Targeting of Israel.” U.S. Department of State, September 4, 2025. https://www.state.gov/releases/2025/09/sanctioning-foreign-ngos-directly-engaged-in-iccs-illegitimate-targeting-of-israel.
    4. “New Ceasefire in Gaza: Al Mezan Reiterates Call for a True End to the Genocide and the Importance of the Palestinian People’s Right to Self Determination.” Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. October 13, 2025. https://www.mezan.org/en/post/46787.
    5. “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Al Mezan Calls for Immediate Recovery Plan to Stop Extreme Poverty in Gaza.” Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. October 17, 2025. https://www.mezan.org/en/post/46791.
    6. “Deeply concerned by the continued issuance of death sentences in Gaza, Al Mezan urges the complete abolition of this practice.” Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. August 15, 2023. https://www.mezan.org/en/post/46201.
    7. Abu Toameh, Khaled. “Hamas sentences seven Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel.” Jerusalem Post. August 7, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-753857.
    8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990PF). Foundation for Middle East Peace. 2024. Part XIV.