The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, urged nations on Monday to prioritize ending the nearly year-long war in Gaza, emphasizing Israel’s “blatant disregard” for international law in the occupied Palestinian territories. His remarks came during the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he called for swift international action to address the ongoing conflict.
“States must not—cannot—accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the UN Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice,” Turk stated during his speech. He stressed the global responsibility to uphold international standards, especially in situations where violations persist.
Turk specifically referred to a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal. The ruling, issued by the UN’s top judicial body, called for immediate action to rectify the situation. However, Israel rejected the court’s opinion, intensifying tensions surrounding the international community’s efforts to mediate peace in the region.
Highlighting the severity of the situation in Gaza, Turk emphasized that the war, which has dragged on for nearly a year, has caused immeasurable human suffering and worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region. He underscored the importance of ending the conflict to prevent further loss of life and urged states to act decisively.
“The continued conflict and disregard for international law in Gaza must be comprehensively addressed,” Turk said. He expressed deep concern over the devastating impact the war has had on civilians, particularly women and children, many of whom have faced displacement, loss of family members, and destruction of homes.
The UN Human Rights Chief’s remarks also touched upon the broader implications of ignoring international law. Turk argued that failing to hold violators accountable, whether in Gaza or elsewhere, sets a dangerous precedent for future conflicts. “When states ignore international law, it weakens the entire global system of justice,” he warned.
The Human Rights Council session in Geneva attracted attention from diplomats and global leaders, many of whom expressed support for Turk’s call to action. Several countries have voiced their concerns about Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, condemning what they describe as disproportionate use of force and violations of human rights.
However, Israel has consistently defended its actions, citing security concerns and its need to protect its citizens from militant attacks originating from Gaza. Israeli officials have argued that the ICJ’s ruling was biased and have dismissed calls for compliance with international judicial decisions as politically motivated.
Despite Israel’s stance, Turk’s speech marks a significant step in rallying international attention towards addressing the crisis in Gaza. As the conflict shows little sign of abating, the pressure on the global community to find a solution is mounting.
The Human Rights Council will continue to debate the Gaza conflict and broader issues related to international law throughout its session. With many states echoing Turk’s concerns, the council is expected to explore potential actions to increase pressure on Israel to comply with international legal standards and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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