“” We are on an indefensible path for climbing conflicts and the open contempt for international human rights and humanitarian law“Said Volker Türk, addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Offering a global overview, he painted a striking picture of a world in crisis – with an increase in armed conflicts, the deepening of climate disturbances, emerging technological threats and a disturbing increase in authoritarianism.
Spiral conflicts
Conflicts of the whole world in a spiral, because civilians are deliberately attacked and that famine and rape are used as weapons of war by parties. However, “responsibility is often absent,” said Türk, who heads the Human Rights Office, Ohchr.
From Ukraine to Myanmar, conflicts plunge countries deeper into chaos and anarchy.
In Sudan, the number of arbitrary murders of civilians while the rival soldiers are fighting for control, tripled between February and April, reports the Ohchr.
In Gaza, “Israel has armed food and blocked rescue aid,” said Türk, calling for an “immediate ceasefire leading to a two-state solution, with Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian state”.
Describing military climbing between Israel and Iran as “deeply disturbing”, Türk called “for de -escalation and urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way to go”.
“This violence must end,” he said.
Civil society attacked
Around the world, at least 625 human rights defenders and media workers were killed or disappeared in 2024, the OHCHR reported.
“” It’s a every 14 hours“Said the Human Rights Head.
In many places in the world, civil society and the media are disseminated, harassed and reduced to silence; However, it is civil society and the media that play a vital role in taking into account power.
As investigating and reporting violations and human rights violations are tools necessary to mitigate conflicts and strengthen peace, Türk said that he was “deeply disturbed” by attacks on international institutions, including International Criminal Court (Icj).
“Sanction judges and prosecutors at national, regional or international levels to do their job, is an assault against the rule of law and corrodes justice“He said.
Persecuted minorities
From anti-immigrant rhetoric to the speech of hatred targeting the LGBTIQ +community, one in five people in 119 countries said they had discriminated in the past year, said the OHCHR.
“” Discrimination is neither rare nor random, it is widespread“Said Mr. Türk.
For example, the data collected by the UN show that women are faced with discrimination more than double the level known by men.
Stressing the war against women and girls in Afghanistan, de facto authorities continue to apply a systematic policy of erasure of women and girls in public life, he continued.
In these troubled times, ” We need governments and societies to defend human rights, in words and in action“Concluded Mr. Türk.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
