Al Jazeera
Volker Turk has expressed deep concern over the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran and urged them to engage in “urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward”.
“The military escalation between Israel and Iran is deeply worrying,” the UN rights chief said as he presented his annual report to the 59th Human Rights Council in Geneva.
He also called “for full respect of international law by both sides, in particular the protection of civilians in densely populated areas”.
Separately, the UN high commissioner for human rights slammed Israel’s conduct in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“Israel’s means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza,” he said.
“Israel has weaponised food and blocked lifesaving aid. I urge immediate, impartial investigations into deadly attacks on desperate civilians to reach food distribution centres,” he added. “Disturbing, dehumanising rhetoric from senior Israeli government officials is reminiscent of the gravest of crimes.”
“The military escalation between Israel and Iran is deeply worrying,” the UN rights chief said as he presented his annual report to the 59th Human Rights Council in Geneva.
He also called “for full respect of international law by both sides, in particular the protection of civilians in densely populated areas”.
Separately, the UN high commissioner for human rights slammed Israel’s conduct in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“Israel’s means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza,” he said.
“Israel has weaponised food and blocked lifesaving aid. I urge immediate, impartial investigations into deadly attacks on desperate civilians to reach food distribution centres,” he added. “Disturbing, dehumanising rhetoric from senior Israeli government officials is reminiscent of the gravest of crimes.”
