UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Warns of Turbulence that Threatens Collapse of International OrderNew York, 4 Mar (ONA) —- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Volker Turk warned that the world “is going through a period of
turbulence and unpredictability, reflected in growing conflict and
divided societies.”
Turk expressed in his global report to the Human Rights Council
(HRC) that “it is outrageous that across these conflicts, the legal
frameworks designed to safeguard civilians, limit damage, and ensure
justice are dismissed and discarded, blatantly and repeatedly.”
Civilians are deliberately attacked, and famine are used as weapons
of war, he said, adding “Humanitarian access is denied, while weapons
flow across borders and circumvent international sanctions.”
He said that the conflict in Sudan “threatens to explode across the
region,” and that the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe deepens
and parties to the conflict continue to launch devastating attacks on
civilians with total impunity, calling on all countries to use their
influence to apply pressure on the parties to stop the war, embark on
inclusive dialogue, and transition to a civilian-led Government.

Regarding the Gaza Strip, Turk said that Israeli warfare methods and
means “have razed the territory and shredded the social and physical
fabric,” stressing the importance of ensuring that the fragile
ceasefire in Gaza holds and becomes the basis for peace.

He affirmed that “any solution to the cycles of violence must be
rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination,
the rule of law and accountability.”
“All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be
released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately,” he
added.

“In the West Bank, I am alarmed by the use of military weapons and
tactics, including tanks and airstrikes, against Palestinians; the
destruction and emptying of refugee camps; the expansion of illegal
settlements; the severe restrictions on movement; and the
displacement of tens of thousands of people. Israel’s unilateral
actions and threats of annexation in the West Bank, in violation of
international law, must stop,” Turk said.

The UN official highlighted the importance of accountability, saying
that an absence of accountability leads directly to an absence of
peace, calling for the formation of a global coalition based on
wisdom and justice for a safer and more sustainable world.—- Ends/Khalid