UN experts ‘unequivocally deplores ’violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza
Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 20th Oct. UN human rights experts on Thursday voiced deep concern over the fate of civilians and victims of terrorism caught up in the Israel-Gaza crisis, in a press release issued in New York.
The experts denounced the ruthless attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians began 7 October.
They stressed their concern for the victims of subsequent counter-terrorism measures by Israeli forces.
UN Special Rapporteur on protection of human rights while countering terrorism Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said that “We decry the scale of the brutal assault on mothers, children, babies, the elderly and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives on the Jewish Shabbat and on a Jewish religious holiday (Sukkot),” and Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify the commission of serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity.
The experts stressed that the “essence of terrorism” is the targeting of civilians, and terrorist attacks leave the victims’ families and survivors “irreparably damaged.”
They condemned Hamas for taking 200 people hostage including older persons, mothers, children and babies, and those seriously wounded were kidnapped.
They recognized the deep and decades long grievances and violations of the human rights and noted that “Hostage taking is absolutely prohibited under international law and constitutes a war crime,” the experts said, highlighting that the International Committee of the Red Cross must be provided access to those taken hostage and they must receive medical care.”
“No harm must come to the hostages taken and held incommunicado by Hamas. They must be released,” the experts said.
They stressed their equal concern for victims of counter-terrorism measures. Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify carrying out serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity.
Human rights experts said the evacuation order to Gazans, over 1.1 million people the majority are children, will have devastating consequences.
They condemned the complete siege of the enclave including the cutting off of water and electricity which “may constitute the war crime of starvation of civilians”, the press release noted.
“Schools and hospitals filled with civilians – primarily women and children cannot constitute a legitimate military target for either State or non-State armed groups,” the experts said.
“The grievous destruction of Al-Ahli hospital underscores the humanitarian consequence of non-compliance with international humanitarian law,” they added.
The experts called on all States to fulfill their obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including those countries in a position to exercise influence over them and ensure accountability for all violations.
Special Rapporteurs are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations.
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