Human rights’ focus on fact, law and compassion particularly crucial in the fog of war, UN Human Rights Chief tells journalists in New York

Delivered by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in New York

Good afternoon, it’s good to see many familiar faces here,

I took up my functions as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights exactly two years ago today – a mandate that has only grown in importance since then.

We are in a particularly dangerous period in history, when disregard, disrespect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law is reaching a deafening crescendo.

Respect for human rights, the rule of law, accountability – these are matters of international peace and security. What is essential – now more than ever – is to ensure that human rights permeate every discussion at the UN.

Human rights bring a focus on fact, on law and on compassion – a focus that is particularly crucial in the fog of war.

This has been painfully stark in the Middle East over the past year.

Today’s findings by the IPC – the recognized authority on food security – are beyond terrifying. They show that the number of people at catastrophic levels of hunger is expected to double in the coming months, and the risk of famine persists across the whole of Gaza.

The world cannot let this happen.

This crisis is principally the consequence of decisions made by the Israeli authorities. It is in their power to change the situation – urgently. I have previously warned that starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited by international humanitarian law. It constitutes a war crime. As the occupying power, Israel has the specific obligation under IHL to bring into Gaza the necessary foodstuffs, medical supplies and other articles, and to facilitate humanitarian relief by all means at its disposal.

Unfortunately, the reality on the ground is that there is only a trickle of aid getting into Gaza. There are reports that Israeli forces are preventing humanitarian aid from accessing the north, exacerbating the already desperate humanitarian and medical needs.

Israel’s evacuation orders appear designed to cut off North Gaza completely from the rest of the territory, as bombing and other attacks continue. There are serious concerns about a large-scale forcible transfer of civilians, not meeting the requirements of international law for evacuation on imperative military grounds. Forcible transfer of a large part of the population of North Gaza would amount to a war crime.

I call on Israel immediately to facilitate the massive influx of humanitarian aid that is needed across all parts of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Palestinian armed groups continue to hold hostages – now for over a year, in flagrant violation of international law. They must be immediately and unconditionally released.

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A ceasefire, an end to the occupation and a return to the negotiating table – only these can advance the rights of Palestinians, Israelis, people in Lebanon, across the region and beyond to live in peace and security.

Wars and extreme violence devastate people’s lives and leave legacies of trauma, loss and grievance for generations to come.

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