Geneva: HE United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the military attack launched by Israel on the State of Qatar on September 9, affirming that targeting Qatar represents a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow to the integrity of mediation and negotiation efforts around the world. This condemnation came during the emergency debate held Tuesday in Geneva by the Human Rights Council (HRC60) in its 60th session to discuss the serious developments resulting from the Israeli attack on Doha.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Volker Turk stated that targeting parties engaged in internationally supported mediation on their own soil undermines Qatar’s central role as a mediator and facilitator of peace, and civilians not directly involved in hostilities must never be targeted. He added that when states disregard the rules of war, they undermine the protection of all civilians everywhere, stressing that the Israeli attack on Doha coincided with other actions that destroy any hope for a two-state solution, the only path to sustainable peace.
He pointed to the displacement order of nearly one million people from Gaza City as part of a new phase of the Israeli assault on the Strip, highlighting that the Hamas delegation was present in Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire, which he described as a vital step toward peace.
For her part and speaking on behalf of the HRC’s Coordination Committee of Special Procedures, Dr. Jovana Ranito stated that the attack on Qatar constitutes a grave violation of the United Nations Charter. She reiterated the condemnation of HE Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, of the Israeli attack, affirming that the assault constitutes a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that these actions are illegal, violate the right to life, and further destabilize the region.
She noted that Israel’s attack on Qatar occurred at a time when Qatar, in cooperation with Egypt and the United States of America, was working to organize efforts to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages, by targeting civilians who were discussing these proposals. She emphasized that Israel undermined one of the credible channels for restoring peace and preventing further destruction in Gaza.
The emergency debate also recorded broad international support and solidarity with the State of Qatar, as five regional groups, representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Arab Group, the European Union, and the African Group, issued statements condemning the Israeli aggression against Qatar and affirming their full solidarity with it.
South Africa also delivered a joint statement on behalf of 78 countries from various geographical regions, while 86 countries presented national statements, along with 12 non-governmental organizations, considering the attack a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and the provisions of the United Nations Charter.
Many delegations and countries called for effective accountability for those responsible for the aggression and urged the Human Rights Council to intervene urgently and use all its mechanisms to stop the violations, follow up on investigations, and ensure that perpetrators do not escape punishment. They also underscored the importance of obligating Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and United Nations resolutions, and to protect mediating states that play essential roles in establishing international peace and security.