GENEVA, Sept 9 (Askume) – The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Monday that ending the nearly year-old war in Gaza is a top priority and called on countries to take action against Israel’s “blatant disregard” for international law in the occupied territories.
Military operation by Israel in response to cross-border attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza health officials The conflict has also led to a surge in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank .
“Ending this war and preventing a full-scale regional conflict are absolute and urgent priorities,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said at the start of a five-week session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“Whether in this context or any other, 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.”
Citing an opinion issued by the UN’s top court in July that called Israel’s occupation illegal, Turk said the situation “should be addressed comprehensively.” Israel rejected the idea, calling it one-sided.
Turk’s comments came during a wide-ranging speech marking his four-year term as UN human rights chief, in which he described major challenges and crises in political leadership around the world. The meeting will also discuss the crises in Sudan, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
“It feels to me that we are at a fork in the road. We can either continue on the current path — a dangerous ‘new normal’ — or sleepwalk into a terrifying future,” he said in a speech.
She condemned Afghanistan’s new morality law as a move to increase the use of the death penalty and a “shocking setback” to gender equality.
He said politicians in Western countries such as Britain, Germany and the United States have used immigrants and minorities as scapegoats during elections, which could trigger violence.
Turk, a former Austrian lawyer, also used his speech to defend his record after some called his policy of engaging with China over alleged abuses too soft.
“I believe in engagement, clear communication, and keeping the conversation open, especially in the face of heated disagreement,” he said.
