UN Watch Urges UN to Strip UNRWA Chief's Immunity Over Terrorism Allegations

The organization UN Watch has formally requested UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to revoke the immunity of the outgoing head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, to allow an investigation into alleged complicity in terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The appeal was submitted through an official legal letter citing Article 20 of the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, arguing that immunity protects UN interests, not individual officials, and should be removed in this case.

UN Watch claims that despite repeated warnings and detailed evidence linking UNRWA staff to Hamas, Lazzarini continued to oversee the agency's operations. The organization alleges that teachers, school principals, union leaders, and other employees with Hamas affiliations were identified, and that Lazzarini himself met repeatedly with Hamas and other terrorist leaders. UN Watch's CEO, Hillel Neuer, stated that Lazzarini assured governments of UNRWA's neutrality mechanisms while supervising an agency whose personnel, facilities, and resources were exploited by terrorist groups.

The letter also highlights that Lazzarini continued to oversee salary payments to thousands of UNRWA employees in Gaza, many of whom reportedly have deep ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. UN Watch argues these facts provide reasonable grounds to investigate whether Lazzarini knowingly provided material support to individuals and entities involved in terrorism and war crimes.

UN Watch calls on the UN Secretary-General to promptly remove all relevant immunities and ensure full UN cooperation with any ensuing criminal investigations. Neuer emphasized that the UN's credibility depends on demonstrating that immunity does not equate to impunity.