UN Chief: Two-State solution is being stripped away in broad daylight

GENEVA, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned of "flagrant violations of human rights, human dignity and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories" stressing the need for international action at a time when the "Two-State solution is being stripped away in broad daylight." Guterres made the remarks in what he said could be his final address as UN Secretary-General to the UN Human Rights Council currently holding its 61st session in Geneva through March 31.
He cautioned that the world is passing through a dangerous phase in which the standing of human rights is declining at an unprecedented rate even as conflicts intensify and "impunity becomes a contagion spreading." The UN Chief emphasized that this reality is not due to a lack of knowledge tools or institutions but rather "the result of political choices." He underscored the importance of strengthening international institutions, explaining that the dysfunction within the global governance system is directly linked to and inseparable from the global deterioration of human rights conditions.
Guterres called for a Security Council that reflects today's global balance rather than the power dynamics of 1945.
He stressed that efforts to modernize and strengthen the Security Council and reform the international financial architecture are not merely internal administrative adjustments within the UN, but essential steps to safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms.
For his part, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern in his opening statement over the rise in grave violations of international law in several conflict zones worldwide, calling for urgent international action to end impunity and protect civilians.
He expressed concerns over ethnic cleansing in both Gaza and the West Bank adding that the Israeli occupation is accelerating efforts to consolidate unlawful annexation.
Turk stressed that "any sustainable solution must be based on two states living side by side in equal dignity and rights, in line with UN resolutions and international law." He warned that "the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. Palestinians are still dying from Israeli occupation fire, cold, hunger, and treatable diseases. The aid allowed in is not enough to meet the massive needs." Turning to Sudan, Turk called for all parties to be held accountable for violations committed there particularly as war crimes and potential crimes against humanity carried out by the Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Fasher.
He warned that such atrocities should not be repeated in (Kordofan) or elsewhere, urging influential people to take immediate action to end the war.
Turk also called on states to adopt a firm stance against violations by earnestly pursuing accountability and clearly and consistently condemning grave crimes without exception.
The Human Rights Council opened its 61 regular session on Monday, with its high-level segment bringing together government officials from more than 100 countries, the situations in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine are expected to be on the top of the agenda.
The session comes as the UN faces an ongoing liquidity crisis that has affected human rights mechanisms.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has received only about 20 percent of its approved budget for the current year. (end) imk.res