GENEVA, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday condemned the Israeli occupation attack that targeted the negotiating delegation in Doha on September 9.
He described the assault as "a shocking breach of international law an assault on regional peace and stability and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiation processes worldwide." This came in his opening remarks for the extraordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council, convened to address the attack on Qatar at the request of Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He called on the Human Rights Council and all governments to condemn the attack stressing that targeting parties engaged in internationally supported mediation on Qatari territory undermines Qatar's central role as a mediator and peace broker.
Turk emphasized that the attack was also an assault on global efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully. He urged the Council to reaffirm the vital importance of mediation processes and to demand accountability for unlawful killings.
He stressed that under the rules of war which regulate armed conflict for the common good, it is strictly prohibited to target civilians not directly involved in hostilities. He pointed out that the Hamas delegation was in Doha negotiating a ceasefire agreement an essential step toward peace.
Turk further noted that the Israeli occupation strike coincided with other actions undermining any hope for a two-state solution which he described as the only path to sustainable peace.
He added that on the same day, Israeli occupation announced a new phase of its assault on Gaza by ordering nearly one million residents of Gaza City to evacuate without guarantees for their safety a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
He added that the funerals of those killed in Doha coincided with the Israeli occupation government's official approval of the so-called East Jerusalem project which the Israeli occupation Prime Minister described as fulfilling a pledge to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Turk called on states to halt arms exports to Israeli occupation to apply maximum pressure to stop the fighting to secure the release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained prisoners and to ensure the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza. He also urged the international community to support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. (end) imk.rk