UN Human Rights Council calls for accountability for possible war crimes by Israel
Asia
By
Xinhua
| Apr 06, 2024
Palestinian people are seen on their way from Gaza City toward south, in southern Gaza Strip, on Nov 18, 2023. [Xinhua]
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on Friday adopted a resolution urging Israel to be held responsible for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also urges all nations to cease supplying weapons to Israel.
Out of the 47 member nations in the UN Human Rights Council, 28 countries voted in favor, 13 abstained and 6 opposed the resolution. China supported the resolution, while the United States and Germany opposed it.
READ MORE
Why Kenya feels like 1895 all over again
Government push for disability inclusion
Groups raise concerns over Tobacco Bill
Governor Waiguru banks on street lights to power Kirinyaga's 24hr economy
We can bridge seed access in the face of global disruptions
CHAN rip-off: How weeks-old insurance firm pocketed Sh42 million
Constitutional and fiscal lessons from 2024 Finance Bill protests
Witness says Bliss Hospital locked out Rex Masai during June 2024 protests
The new ruling stressed "the need to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to end impunity".
It also expressed "grave concern at reports of serious human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory".
The resolution also calls on states to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel.
Friday's proposal, which was brought forward by Pakistan on behalf of all Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states except Albania, also called for "an immediate ceasefire" and "for immediate emergency humanitarian access and assistance".
The Palestinian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, expressed approval of the vote but also voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of support from certain Western countries.
Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, condemned the resolution as a stain on the Human Rights Council and the UN as a whole.