Who is human enough to deserve rights? An anti-colonial perspective on the response of international social work organisations to the Palestinian question

The discourse of the social work profession purports a human rights (HR) and social justice (SJ) perspective. Hence, the stance of international social work organisations (ISWOs) on various sociopolitical issues is paramount in terms of showing solidarity with oppressed and vulnerable groups. In this article, I reflect on the ways in which various ISWOs - namely, the International Association of Schools of Social Work, the International Federation of Social Workers, the International Council on Social Welfare and the Social Work Action Network International - have responded to the Palestinian question as the litmus test of commitment to HR and SJ. The article interrogates and analyses how SJ and HR violations are dealt with by ISWOs, as specifically evidenced in their statements, or lack thereof, about the Palestinian question from 2014 to 2024. Principles of critical discourse analysis are utilised from an anti-colonial perspective to consider the statements posted on the websites of ISWOs in relation to their purported HR and SJ stance. Statements are examined in terms of their content, positions, ambiguities and contradictions. The analysis indicated that two ISWOs are either silent or purport a false equivalence and remain sites of Western imperial positionality, where European concerns and viewpoints dominate, thus marginalising alternate voices that do not have the same space, stature and visibility. In contrast, the other two ISWOs have been more responsive, taking a clear stance against the SJ and HR violations against Palestinians. It is critical that ISWOs embody consistent, unambiguous HR and SJ perspectives that align with their aims and objectives, show solidarity with marginalised groups, and hold affiliate members accountable for ensuring ethical SJ practices.