UN Watch Demands Removal of Outgoing UNRWA Chief's Immunity Over War Crime Allegations

As Philip Lazzarini concludes his term as head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the watchdog group UN Watch has called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to immediately revoke Lazzarini's diplomatic immunity. The request aims to enable competent legal authorities to investigate and prosecute Lazzarini for alleged complicity in terrorism, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. UN Watch submitted a formal legal letter citing Article 20 of the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, arguing that immunity protects the UN as an organization, not individual officials, and should be lifted in this case.

UN Watch CEO Hillel Neuer accused Lazzarini of long ignoring targeted warnings that Hamas had deeply infiltrated UNRWA. Neuer stated that the organization provided detailed evidence identifying teachers, school principals, union leaders, and other staff linked to Hamas, as well as documented repeated meetings between senior UNRWA officials, including Lazzarini, and Hamas and other terrorist groups. Despite these warnings, Lazzarini allegedly assured governments worldwide that UNRWA’s neutrality mechanisms were effective while overseeing an agency whose personnel, facilities, and resources were exploited by terrorist groups.

The group highlighted that Lazzarini continued authorizing salary payments to thousands of Gaza employees, many later proven to have deep Hamas ties, and managed facilities that granted terrorist organizations access to students, infrastructure, and institutional legitimacy. A notable example cited was the public controversy accusing UNRWA of involvement in the abduction of the body of Israeli soldier Yonatan Samarnu, killed in Kibbutz Be'eri and whose body was taken to Gaza before being recovered in a military operation.

UN Watch’s legal letter asserts these facts provide reasonable grounds to investigate whether Lazzarini knowingly facilitated or materially supported terrorism and serious crimes. The organization urged Guterres to publicly announce the immunity removal without delay and ensure full UN cooperation with any ensuing criminal investigation. Neuer concluded, "The credibility of the UN depends on proving that immunity is not a shield for impunity."