A group of United Nations staff members have appealed to the organization’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, to publicly describe the war in Gaza as a “genocide.”
The appeal was made in a letter signed by the Staff Committee on behalf of more than 500 employees at the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The letter states that a broad cross-section of OHCHR staff believe that the legal threshold for genocide has been met in the case of Israel’s nearly two-year war in Gaza.
The staff members are concerned that the OHCHR’s failure to explicitly describe the war as a genocide in its public communications undermines the global rights protection system.
The letter expresses “profound frustration at the scale, scope, and nature of reported violations and their impact on civilians, especially women and children.” It also notes that the UN’s silence during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed more than 1 million people, is often cited as one of the organization’s greatest moral failures.
The staff members urge the OHCHR to avoid repeating the mistakes of history and to denounce acts of genocide. “Failing to denounce an unfolding genocide undermines the credibility of the UN and the human rights system itself,” the letter states.
In response to the letter, Turk said that the staff had raised important concerns and that he shared their “moral indignation” at the horrors being witnessed in Gaza. He called on staff to remain united in the face of adversity.
The war in Gaza has resulted in significant human suffering, with at least 62,966 Palestinians killed and nearly 160,000 wounded, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The situation has also led to widespread famine, with more than 300 people, including 121 children, starving to death.
The use of the term “genocide” to describe the situation in Gaza has been a topic of debate. While some world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have used the term, the UN has not. UN officials have said that it is up to international courts to determine genocide.
South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the International Court of Justice in 2023, but it is yet to make its way through the court. Some rights groups, such as Amnesty International, and independent UN experts have also used the term “genocide” to describe the situation in Gaza.
Israel rejects accusations of genocide, claiming it is acting in accordance with its right to self-defense in response to the deadly Hamas attacks in October 2023.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with many Palestinians struggling to access basic necessities like food and healthcare. The UN staff’s appeal to the human rights chief highlights the need for the international community to take action to protect civilians and prevent further suffering.
The outcome of this appeal remains to be seen, but it is clear that the situation in Gaza requires urgent attention and action from the international community.
As the conflict continues, it is essential that the UN and other organizations work to protect civilians and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In conclusion, the UN staff’s appeal to the human rights chief is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the situation in Gaza.
The use of the term “genocide” to describe the situation has sparked controversy, but it is clear that the situation is dire and requires urgent attention. The international community must work to protect civilians and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The letter from the UN staff is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out against human rights abuses and promoting accountability.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it is essential that the international community remains vigilant and works to protect civilians and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Ultimately, the outcome of this appeal will depend on the actions of the UN and other organizations. It is essential that they work to protect civilians and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and that they hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable for their actions.