Urgent Call for Ceasefire and Accountability for Human Rights Violations in the Gaza...

On January 17, 2025, 23 UN Special Rapporteurs, along with members of two working groups and an independent human rights expert, issued a joint statement calling on all parties involved in the Gaza crisis to accept an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations during the recent Gaza conflict. In the statement, the experts emphasize that accepting an immediate and unconditional ceasefire is essential to prevent further human casualties. The rapporteurs stress that human rights should never be sacrificed for military objectives and call for justice for all victims, whether military personnel or civilians. All parties are urged to take measures to prevent human rights violations and war crimes and to be held accountable for their actions. The immediate ceasefire is one of the main demands of the experts. They specifically call for an end to attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. According to the statement, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, and millions of people are living under unbearable conditions. In this context, the experts stress that all parties must adhere to their international obligations regarding human rights and international humanitarian law.
In addition to the ceasefire, the experts urge the international community to utilize legal mechanisms and international frameworks to pursue and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations. They also emphasize that justice for the victims must be prioritized, and those who have committed serious human rights violations must be held accountable. This includes responsibility for war crimes, the killing of civilians, and attacks on civilian infrastructure. Finally, UN human rights experts have called on all parties to respect the human rights of the people of Gaza and to ensure that this crisis does not escalate into a prolonged humanitarian disaster. They also urge the international community to contribute to the rebuilding and support of the people of Gaza. This statement comes amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, despite the success of ceasefire negotiations.