Deeply alarmed by the violence and mounting civilian death tolls, GANHRI calls for respect of international law, international protection of civilians, and extends its solidarity to ICHRP colleagues in these challenging times
As members of the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), we are deeply alarmed by the deadly violence and mounting civilian death tolls in Gaza, Israel and the occupied West Bank.
We stand in solidarity with all those affected by this crisis.
We join United Nations Special Procedures in strongly condemning “Israel’s indiscriminate military attacks against the already exhausted Palestinian people of Gaza, comprising over 2.3 million people, nearly half of whom are children” and “the horrific crimes committed by Hamas, the deliberate and widespread killing and hostage-taking of innocent civilians, including older persons and children. These actions constitute heinous violations of international law and international crimes, for which there must be urgent accountability.”
We extend our deep condolences to our colleague from the Independent Commission on Human Rights of Palestine Hassan Halasa and his family, for the devastating loss of 12 members of his family, including his mother Umm Ahmad, his wife Lina, and their children Marah, Bisan and Omar, who lost their lives on Sunday 15 October, in Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike.
In these terrible times, we stand in solidarity with all dear colleagues and friends at the Independent Commission on Human Rights of Palestine in both the West Bank and Gaza, many of whom have been forcibly displaced, some losing their homes due to the airstrikes on residential buildings. They have and continue to demonstrate extraordinary bravery and commitment to human rights.
According to UN reports, more than 4,200 people including civilians have already been killed in both Israel and Gaza.
Under international humanitarian law, all sides in a conflict have a clear obligation to protect the lives of civilians caught up in the hostilities. As UN Special Procedures have recalled in their joint statement, deliberately targeting civilians, carrying out disproportionate attacks, and indiscriminate attacks which kill or injure civilians is absolutely prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime.
We call on all parties involved to immediately end the violations of international law, to ensure the full protection of all civilians, and to respect all principles under international law at all times, including the rules of distinction, precaution, legality, and proportionality.
We call for the unconditional and safe release of all individuals who have been taken hostage by Palestinian armed groups.
We call for an international protection for all civilians, and immediate and unhindered humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.
We reiterate our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.