Third Committee Condemns Brutal Bombing of Gaza Hospital, Enforced Displacement of Palestinian Civilians, Emphasizes Urgent Need for Unimpeded Humanitarian Aid

Yesterday’s attack on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, which resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, delegates told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as they also engaged in a series of interactive dialogues on the right to education, cultural rights and the impact of climate change on persons with albinism.

During their general debate, numerous delegates condemned the recent attack on the hospital in Gaza and called for unimpeded and safe humanitarian access.

The observer for the State of Palestine said that, for 11 days, the world has witnessed epic human suffering, with Israel brutally killing over 3,000 people in the Gaza Strip — over half of them women and children.  “Israel has not spared a single Palestinian family in Gaza,” bombing them in their homes, she said.  Those who are not injured are displaced, and those who thought they found safety in Al-Ahli Hospital were massacred.

“Hospitals must be sanctuaries to preserve human lives, not scenes of death and destruction,” said Ecuador’s delegate, emphasizing that respect for international humanitarian law is an imperative of the international community.

Echoing that sentiment, Bolivia’s delegate condemned “the atrocious genocide being conducted against Palestinians in Gaza at this very moment”, with children, women and older persons suffering injustice and human rights violations.

Kuwait’s delegate called on the intranational community to condemn “the brutal shelling of the hospital in Gaza”.

“Israel must immediately stop its collective punishment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” said the representative of Egypt, condemning Israel’s bombing of the hospital in Gaza City.  She categorically rejected attempts to enforce displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring countries.

The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said the blame for the deaths of hundreds of people in the Al-Ahli Hospital is in part with the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, countries that on Monday blocked the adoption of the purely humanitarian draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Japan’s delegate, firmly condemning recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, noted that “attacks against hospitals or civilians cannot be justified on any ground”.

Germany’s delegate condemned the indiscriminate attacks by Hamas across Israel and expressed horror about the attack on the fully operational Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza.  Adding to that, Canada’s delegate underscored the need to free all hostages immediately and unconditionally and ensure that all parties fully respect international humanitarian law.

The youth delegate of Israel recalled the Hamas terrorist attacks, which resulted in numerous murdered and wounded.  “Israel is in a war against a terror organization called Hamas, she said — not citizens, not individuals.”  Noting Israel’s right to self-defence, she called for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and warned against Hamas’ politicization of the events.  In the afternoon, the Committee heard from Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, who reported that, to achieve the goal of providing primary and secondary education for all by 2030, 68.8 million more teachers are needed.  States must ensure the right of everyone to inclusive, equitable and quality education, and guarantee internationally recognized rights of teachers, encompassing, inter alia, the right to work, adequate remuneration, decent working conditions and academic freedom.  Additionally, States should allocate a sufficient proportion of the national budget for education and ensure that the money is used effectively and equitably to guarantee education for all, she underlined, calling for meaningful participation of teachers in educational decision-making and reforms through robust dialogue.

Also briefing the Committee today was Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, who highlighted the profound impact of climate change on persons with albinism, particularly on their right to life.  Highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change-related disasters and extreme weather events on persons with albinism, she said that, due to forcible displacement, they fall under the category of “climate migrants”.  In Africa, persons with albinism are up to 1,000 times more likely to develop skin cancer than those without albinism, while 98 per cent of them have died by the age of 40.  This can be effectively prevented by using proper sunscreen, which, however, is often out of the reach of many due its cost.

Statements

Ms. CARMELI, youth delegate of Israel, recalled her experience living on the Kerem Shalom kibbutz close to Gaza, where her bedroom was in a bomb shelter.  Recalling sirens sounding as indiscriminate rocket shelling came from Gaza — common in the past 18 years since Israel disengaged from Gaza — she said she chose to live there anyway, choosing life over terror.  This past Saturday, terror chose the kibbutz, she continued, recalling the Hamas terrorist attacks resulting in numerous murdered and wounded people as well as 200 taken hostage.  “Israel is in a war against a terror organization called Hamas, she said — not citizens, not individuals.”  She expressed grave concern for the kidnapped, noting that they are denied their most basic rights.  She urged the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas, call for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and support Israel’s right to defend itself, and she warned against Hamas’ politicization of events.

HEBA MOSTAFA MOSTAFA RIZK (Egypt), associating herself with the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, condemned Israel’s bombing of the hospital in Gaza City.  “Israel must immediately stop its collective punishment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” she said, adding that Egypt categorically rejects attempts to enforce displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring countries in contravention of the right to self-determination and rights of return.  She also expressed concern about limitations in some countries that champion democracy on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, as well as inaction towards campaigns of misinformation and disinformation and falsified media reports. “It is regrettable to see an escalation in this discourse, talking about double standards and denying the universality of human rights,” she stressed, noting the increase in hate speech and xenophobia against Muslim communities and other religious minorities.

Mr. ALDAIKAN (Kuwait) said that the brutal shelling of the hospital in Gaza was a flagrant violation of international law that the international community must condemn. Reaffirming Kuwait’scommitment to respect human rights, he said that Islam enshrines the principles of equality and justice, while his country’s Constitution emphasizes the importance of education and health care without discrimination based on origin, language or sex.  The Government will establish a national office for human rights, focusing on respect for public and private rights without contradicting Sharia law.  He also highlighted the leadership role of women in Parliament as they achieve the trust of voters.  In light of extraordinary and transitional threats resulting from new technologies and climate change, there is no path forward except for multilateral action, he said.

ABDULAZIZ M. ALWASIL (Saudi Arabia) urged the restoration of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, including an independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.  Saudi Arabia categorically rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and firmly condemns the crime perpetrated by Israeli forces that bombarded the hospital in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of casualties.  This is a serious development, he said, calling out the international community’s double standards.  He called on Israel to immediately lift its siege of Gaza and to open humanitarian corridors as soon as possible.

JOAN MARGARITA CEDANO (Dominican Republic) said her country has actively promoted human rights through the creation of an inter-institutional Human Rights Commission, which seeks to safeguard human rights defenders and maintain a cross-cutting policy within the country’s governance.  In addition, the Dominican Republic has policies on gender, climate change and territorial integrity, as well as an ombudsman whose essential task is to ensure the functioning of public administration.  Her country has a plan with guidelines from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, focusing on the following strategic areas:  civil-political rights; economic and sociocultural rights; human rights and the environment; rights of persons in vulnerable situations; and implementation of international standards.

RICHARD ARBEITER (Canada) said women’s and girls’ rights are under attack in Afghanistan and that the situation is grim for them in Iran.  “Canada will continue to stand up for their rights and the rights of all marginalized individuals and communities wherever they are threatened,” he emphasized. “Recognition of the inherent dignity of LGBTI persons is growing steadily,” he also noted, applauding those who have eliminated discriminatory laws.  Turning to the situation in the Middle East, he underscored the need to free all hostages immediately and unconditionally and ensure that all parties fully respect international humanitarian law.  He further expressed support for the Sudanese people in their appeal for a democratic transition by civilians.  “The response to all of these challenges is not to run away from them or pretend that they are politicized,” he stressed.

JÖRUNDUR VALTÝSSON (Iceland), expressing concern about the growing number of civilian deaths and the strike on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, as well as the risk of further escalation, stressed the need for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access.  Human rights are a key pillar of Iceland’s foreign and development policy, he said, describing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a milestone document and a guiding light.  However, “many of the basic rights we thought had been secured and accepted” are in danger, he said, noting that violent nationalism and racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, are on the rise, while homophobia and transphobia are increasing.  Calling on the international community to stand up for the values of democracy, he said that is a primary motivation for Iceland’s decision to seek a seat on the Human Rights Council for the term 2025 to 2027.

ONO SHO (Japan), firmly condemning recent terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, demanded the early release of hostages.  At the same time, yesterday, Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was attacked, resulting in numerous casualties, he recalled, stressing that “attacks against hospitals or civilians cannot be justified on any ground”.  It is crucial to minimize the deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and ensure humanitarian access in the area.  Japan will provide emergency humanitarian aid of $10 million in total for citizens in the Gaza Strip through international organizations. Furthermore, he strongly urged the Russian Federation to end its violations of human rights and the UN Charter immediately.  In Myanmar, he warned against the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation, urging its military to take concrete actions to immediately stop the violence.  He also voiced concern about the lack of improvement in the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

MARWA JABOU BESSADOK (Tunisia) urged the international community to condemn violations against Palestinians in occupied lands, including the violation of the right to life and international humanitarian laws.  Noting the attack on a civilian hospital in Gaza on 17 October, she asked: “How we can we talk about human rights in light of all these continued violations with total impunity and no deterrence?”  The situation in Palestine is a true test of international human rights law, she said, emphasizing that all forms of terrorism must be condemned, with no link to any specific nationality, religion, culture or civilization in any State.

GOLIBJON GULOV (Tajikistan), condemning the attack on the Al-Ahli Hospital, said that civil facilities such as hospitals should be safe places for people under all conditions.  Calling for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue to stabilize the situation, he said that the protection of human rights is a priority for his country. Noting the many international human rights instruments Tajikistan has acceded to since gaining independence, he added that State institutions are gradually taking steps to implement relevant norms.  Highlighting some concrete measures to protect the rights of children and prevent discrimination against women, he said that the Constitution guarantees the enjoyment of freedom for all, regardless of nationality, race, sex, religion, political beliefs and social status.

SAHAR K.H. SALEM, observer for the State of Palestine, said that, for 11 days, the world has witnessed Israel brutally killing over 3,000 people in the Gaza Strip — over half of them women and children — by direct strikes. “Israel has not spared a single Palestinian family in Gaza,” she said.  Those who are not injured are displaced, and those who thought they found safety in Al-Ahli Hospital were massacred.  “Does this make Israel feel more secure now […] does this fulfill the need for unconditional support for Israel?” she asked, noting that reports from the UN show that families have been bombed in their homes.  Following an evacuation order, they are scrambling for safety with nowhere to go, she said, adding that entire neighborhoods have been razed to the ground, including schools and UN buildings.  There is no power, no water, no fuel, and food supplies are running low, she said, emphasizing that “morgues are overflowing” and bodies are buried in mass graves.  Worse, Israel has ordered the evacuation of 22 hospitals, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled a death sentence for the sick and injured.  Some 2 million people live in Gaza, half of them children, but Israel is bombing it as if civilians deserve to be killed.  This mass destruction must not be seen as so-called collateral damage, she stressed, noting that it is inhumane and undermines the rules of an international law-based order.  She called on the international community to stand against Israel’s crimes and stop the epic human suffering.  “Justice — not vengeance” deserves your support, she said.

DIEGO PARY RODRÍGUEZ (Bolivia), aligning himself with the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, condemned “the atrocious genocide being conducted against Palestinians in Gaza at this very moment”.  Children, women and older persons are suffering injustice and human rights violations there while also being deprived of basic services and food.  Further, he highlighted the importance of the draft resolution on the right to development and welcomed general comment No. 26 on the rights of the child, with special attention to climate change, adopted by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, and general comment No. 39 on the rights of indigenous women and girls, adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which provides guidelines for States to tackle all forms of discrimination against them.

İSMAIL AYDİL (Türkiye) said that his country is deeply concerned about the rise of xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia in the world and the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine.  “We strongly condemn the loss of civilian lives and call on the parties for de-escalation,” he said, reiterating calls for restraint and avoidance of any actions that might worsen the situation.  Indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza are unacceptable.  An immediate ceasefire is urgently needed and the international community must step in to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid.  Türkiye remains committed to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of civilians, he said, adding that the situation of the Crimean Tatar Turks remains a priority.  He also spotlighted the rights of the Uyghur Turks and other Muslim minorities in China, the Rohingya in Myanmar, women and girls in Afghanistan, and millions of people in Syrian.

ANTJE LEENDERTSE (Germany), aligning herself with the European Union, said aggression continues to be among the greatest threat to human rights.  Condemning the indiscriminate attacks by Hamas across Israel and expressing horror about the attack on the fully operational Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, she also voiced concern about the Russian Federation’s continued war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.  Respect for freedoms of expression, assembly and association are crucial in creating strong and resilient societies, she said, noting that the protection of human rights defenders from repression and reprisal is key. Repression and violation of human rights cannot be considered as internal matters of sovereignty, as they affect international obligations and because their effects transcend borders, she stressed.  Her delegation will be co-facilitating the resolution on the human rights to water and sanitation as well as the resolution on national human rights institutions.  Highlighting the historic and moral responsibility associated with past injustice, she said Germany is committed to constructive dialogue with countries seeking the return of cultural artifacts.

ANDRÉS EFREN MONTALVO SOSA (Ecuador) sounded alarm over destruction of the hospital in Gaza, where hundreds were murdered. “Hospitals must be sanctuaries to preserve human lives, not scenes of death and destruction,” he asserted, adding that respect for international humanitarian law is an imperative of the international community.  He reiterated his Government’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights through specific actions, including those aimed at strengthening multilateralism.  Voicing support for human rights mechanisms, including those on eradication of poverty, malnutrition, gender-based violence and climate change, he said that, at the local level, Ecuador is working with OHCHR to protect human rights.  Dealing with all facets of migration, Ecuador has measures for safe, orderly and responsible migration, tackling networks and illicit trafficking of migrants.

ANDY ARON (Indonesia), aligning with ASEAN, said his country stands in firm solidarity with the Palestinian people. He condemned the implementation of a collective punishment policy by the occupying Power in Gaza, where horrifying attacks against civilian facilities, including hospitals, have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 500 lives.  “These acts not only go against every grain of humanity, but also defied the very essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he said. Indonesia calls for an urgent immediate ceasefire to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in dire need. With ASEAN, Indonesia is committed to fostering dialogue to enhance cooperation for the enduring promotion and protection of human rights.  Domestically, Indonesia remains equally resolute in its commitment.  One significant milestone towards acknowledging historical injustice and fostering reconciliation came earlier this year when Indonesia’s President acknowledged past rights violations.

Interactive Dialogues – Right to Education

In the afternoon, the Committee further elaborated on the theme “Promotion and protection of human rights”, with interactive dialogues featuring presentations by:  Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; and Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

Ms. SHAHEED, presenting her report on “Right to education” (A/78/364), said it reviews human rights of teachers, their conditions of work and challenges to their crucial role in full realization of the right to education.  She stressed that teachers are too often undervalued and undercompensated and sometimes live below the poverty line, even in some high-income countries. “UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] estimates we need some 69 million more teachers to achieve the goal of providing primary and secondary education for all by 2030, but 48 per cent of respondents of a major survey do not think teaching is an attractive profession for young people,” she noted, adding that teacher shortage leads to overcrowded classrooms, overworked teachers and lowering of skills required for teaching.

“Even when resources are very limited, States should allocate a sufficient proportion of the national budget for education and ensure that the money is used effectively and equitably to guarantee education for all and to redress inequalities,” she underscored, recalling that States’ obligations towards teachers derive from international standards that require States to ensure the right of everyone to inclusive, equitable and quality education. This means that teachers — most of whom are public sector employees or civil servants — have a general legal status as public employees and a special legal status derived from their leading role in the realization of the fundamental right to education.  She spotlighted internationally recognized rights of teachers encompassing the right to work, to adequate remuneration, training and professional development, decent working conditions, academic freedom and professional autonomy, access to information and knowledge as well as the right to form trade unions and associations, participate in social and policy dialogues and educational reforms.

She underlined that the report calls for direct, open and meaningful participation of teachers in educational decision-making and reforms through robust dialogue.  Also, teacher training is a key tool to progressively realize all aspects of the right to education, especially for making education more adaptable, inclusive and responsive to current challenges.  “To boost inclusion in education, teacher diversity must mirror student diversity in terms of gender, disability, language, origin, etc,” she said, adding that teachers are important agents of change and lead by example.

In the ensuing interactive dialogue, delegates shared positive developments in their countries, expressed concern over the double-edged sword of new technologies and asked how to overcome inequality in education.

The representative of Israel expressed concern over a report by the non-governmental organization UN Watch, detailing how the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) continues to hire workers who call on students to murder Jews and encourage martyrdom.  This toxic incitement must end now, he said, noting that further funding will only result in more bloodshed.  He asked what measures might be taken by UNRWA and other institutions to combat hatred.

In response, Ms. SHAHEED said that teaching can be made more attractive to younger generations by ensuring that teachers have good compensation, welcoming such developments from some countries.  If teaching is not attractive financially, a teacher shortage will continue.  Further, they must receive continued training and take part in deciding what kind of training they need.  Efforts must also be made to include youth.  While they are often invited to the conversation, they rarely feel listened to and prepared to meet today’s challenges.  A network called Education in Emergencies offers support to teachers and students who have lived through trauma, she added.

Unilateral coercive measures and austerity must be looked at carefully, as austerity results in a loss of teachers.  While digital education tools have been helpful, they are also problematic, she said, noting that they have been used for data mining, violating children’s right to privacy.  Calling on the international community to bridge gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural, she stressed that teachers receiving minimum pay cannot afford the cost of connecting online, much less new technology itself. Further, all educational material must promote peace and a human rights perspective for all, she said, noting that education is an empowering right, opening access to others.  However, without teachers, there will be no education, she said.

General Debate

MAJDA MOUTCHOU (Morocco) strongly condemned the Israeli bombing of the hospital in the Gaza Strip, which left hundreds dead and injured.  She called on all parties to protect civilians, respect international law and avoid new escalations in the region.  Nationally, the Constitution of her country guarantees human rights, she said, noting that it is based on principles of democracy, co-existence and dialogue.  It underlines the primacy of international instruments signed by the country.  She highlighted Morocco’s work with the treaty bodies.  Moreover, a recent royal letter announced its intention to review the family code to improve the rights of women and children, she said, noting that the preparation of such a reform will be carried out collectively, with many institutional stakeholders, and maintain openness to civil society groups.

BILLEL HASSANI (Algeria), aligning with the Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Group of Friends in Défense of the United Nations Charter, said protection of human rights requires defending oppressed peoples, which includes Palestinians as well as their right to peace and self-determination.  Reiterating his country’s call to end the assault on Palestinians and Gaza infrastructure, he reiterated Algeria’s full solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to respond urgently to the situation as well as cooperate to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders.  Underscoring his country’s commitment to the protection of human rights, he said its 2020 Constitution established the Constitutional Court, the National Observatory of Civil Society and the Youth High Council.  Further, the document aims to remove barriers to participation for all, especially for women, addressing their insertion and promotion in the labour market.

Ms. AL JARAD (Oman) expressed full satisfaction with Oman’s human rights achievements.  These plans place men, regardless of color and affiliation, at the center of development. She expressed concern over negative developments unfolding in the occupied Palestinian territories, which compromise human rights, especially the rights of Palestinian people under occupation. Hence, the international community needs to take a sincere stand against such dangerous breaches, including collective killing, the policy of starvation as a deterrent weapon to entrench hegemony and subjugation of people.