UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addresses the 57th session of the HRC. UN Human Rights Chief: Peace Must Prevail in the Middle East Human Rights
We are living through extremely dangerous times – escalation after escalation, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned on Wednesday. He noted that the threats primarily affect civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Israel, but there is a risk of them spreading beyond these countries and territories.
“The situation goes to the very heart of what human rights are for everyone, everywhere. “The protection of civilians is of paramount importance, as is respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” Türk said.
“I implore all States, including members of the Security Council, to act decisively to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East with potentially devastating consequences for civilians,” he added.
The voices and influence of the international community will be vital, the High Commissioner said, to push the warring parties to negotiate and end the escalation.
“We appeal to reason. “Peace must prevail,” concluded Volker Türk.
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