Time Running Out To Prevent Gaza Genocide

 

Time Running Out To Prevent Gaza 'Genocide': UN-mandated Experts

By AFP - Agence France Presse

November 2, 2023

ADDS quotes

A group of UN-mandated human rights experts, including the special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, said Thursday that "time is running out to prevent genocide and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza".

"We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide," the experts said in a joint statement. "The time for action is now. Israel's allies also bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action."

UN special rapporteurs are unpaid, independent figures mandated by the Human Rights Council. They do not speak for the United Nations but report their findings to it as part of the council's fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms.

"The situation in Gaza has reached a catastrophic tipping point," the experts said, warning of the "dire need" for food, water, medicine, fuel and essential supplies and the risk of looming health hazards.

The statement was signed by Francesca Albanese, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.

The other signatories were the special rapporteurs on safe drinking water; food; physical and mental health; internally displaced persons; freedom of expression; and on contemporary racism.

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Hamas gunmen stormed across the border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping at least 240 others, including children, according to Israeli officials.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 9,000 people have been killed since the war with Israel erupted, mostly women and children.

The UN experts called for the immediate release of all civilians being held captive since the Hamas attack.

"All parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law," they said.

"We demand a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most. A ceasefire also means channels of communication can be opened to ensure the release of hostages," the experts said.

Gaza's Hamas-ruled government said 195 people were killed in two days of Israeli strikes on Jabalia, Gaza's largest refugee camp, with hundreds more missing and wounded -- figures AFP could not independently verify.

The UN experts voiced "deepening horror" about the strikes, calling them "a brazen violation of international law -- and a war crime".

"Attacking a camp sheltering civilians including women and children is a complete breach of the rules of proportionality and distinction between combatants and civilians," the special rapporteurs said.

SWAHILI

Kundi la wataalamu wa haki za binadamu wa Umoja wa Mataifa, likiwemo ripota maalum wa maeneo ya Palestina yanayokaliwa, limeonya kuwa muda unapungua kuzuia janga la kibinadamu na uwezekano wa mauaji ya halaiki katika Ukanda wa Gaza.

Wameeleza kuwa watu wa Palestina wanakabiliwa na hatari kubwa ya mauaji ya kimbari (watu wengi), na wanasisitiza kuwa hatua inahitajika haraka. Wamesisitiza pia ni jukumu la washirika wa Israel katika kuzuia hali mbaya inayoendelea.

Ripota maalum wa Umoja wa Mataifa (Jopo la wataalamu) hawalipwi na wanajitegemea, na majukumu yao yanatokana na Baraza la Haki za Binadamu la Umoja wa Mataifa. Wametoa wito wa kusitishwa mara moja kwa vitendo vya kijeshi ili misaada iweze kufikishwa kwa watu wanaohitaji, na kwa ajili ya kuachiliwa huru kwa mateka.

Gaza imefikia hatua mbaya sana, na wataalamu hao wanaonya juu ya uhitaji mkubwa wa chakula, maji, dawa, mafuta, na vifaa muhimu pamoja na hatari ya afya inayozidi kuzorota.

Wataalamu hao wanasisitiza kuhusu shambulizi kubwa la Israel dhidi ya Gaza na kukiuka sheria za kimataifa, likiwa ni uhalifu wa kivita.

Wataalamu wa Umoja wa Mataifa wanatoa wito wa kuachiliwa huru mara moja kwa raia wote wanaoshikiliwa na kuitaka pande zote kuzingatia sheria za kimataifa za haki za binadamu na sheria za kimataifa za kibinadamu