UN Human Rights Chief Backs Arab Parliament's Call for Accountability in Gaza

In response to the letter of the President of the Arab Parliament: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights commends the role of the Arab Parliament and stresses the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of human rights violations in the Gaza Strip

The President of the Arab Parliament H.E. Mr. Adel bin AbdulRahman AlAssomi, has received an official letter from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, in response to his letter addressed on 29 January 2024 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the ongoing genocidal war against children, women and the elderly resulting in thousands of martyrs and wounded.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights shared the Arab Parliament's deep concern regarding serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law taking place since 7 October 2023 in the Gaza Strip, and the fast deterioration in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Türk stressed that he will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid, respect for international law, and the humane treatment, and that he will also continue to appeal to all States, entities and individuals with influence over the parties involved in this conflict to do all in their power to ensure an end to the suffering, and an end to the occupation, and accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and justice for victims.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights added that his Office has issued numerous detailed recommendations over many years on the situation in Palestine and will present two additional reports on Israeli settlements and human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council starting later this month.

Türk thanked the President of the Arab Parliament for his coordination and communication and for sharing with him the situation in the Gaza Strip, adding that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stands in solidarity with all those whose rights are violated and will continue to work toward a future where human rights can be enjoyed equally by all.

The President of the Arab Parliament appreciates the response of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its interaction with the Arab Parliament's calls for a cessation of war and escalating and continued bloodshed, and for countering the crimes of the occupation entity and the daily massacres committed against the Palestinians, and he looks forward to the prompt response of human rights and international organizations, and national, international and regional parliaments he has addressed, to work toward an immediate ceasefire and to stop the genocidal war perpetrated by the Israeli occupation entity against the Palestinian people.

The President of the Arab Parliament reiterated that the Arab Parliament continues to play its role in supporting the Palestinian people in all fora at all regional and international levels to achieve their legitimate rights notably the establishment of their independent State with the city of Jerusalem as its capital.