On 22 April 2025, Ambassador Azri received Mr Hassan Al Sayydeh, a Human Rights Researcher from the Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness), at the Embassy of Malaysia in Beirut. Mr Hassan delivered a copy of the Annual Report on the Situation of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon in 2024, which presents the latest findings on the legal and humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinian refugees across Lebanon.
2. During the meeting, Mr Hassan gave a brief overview of the report. He explained the difficult living conditions in many refugee camps and the legal challenges refugees continue to face. The report also includes updates on the humanitarian impact of the recent Israeli military aggression on Lebanon and highlights security and social issues inside the camps.
3. Mr Hassan pointed out that, since the beginning of President Trump’s second term in the United States, major cuts have been made to donations from the US government to both the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He warned that these reductions have worsened the situation for refugees, particularly in areas like health services, education, and employment.
4. He appealed to countries, including Malaysia, to step up support for the Palestinian cause. He stressed the importance of raising the issue in international organisations and at the United Nations, and encouraged Malaysia to continue its long-standing moral and diplomatic backing.
