Gaza City, July 4, 2024 - Cecilia Pillet, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and International Solidarity, has issued a stern rebuke to the international community, accusing it of failing to adequately address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"The international community has not demonstrated the necessary solidarity to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and has failed to ensure lasting peace in the besieged enclave," Pillet said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pillet emphasized that the international community bears the responsibility for ensuring a genuine and lasting peace in Gaza. She stressed the importance of involving youth and children in creating a post-ceasefire peace environment.
"We have not made the right choices in facilitating a genuine path to disarmament and pursuing meaningful dialogue that acknowledges all parties have suffered pain, harm, and trauma," Pillet stated.
Responding to a question about Israel's compliance with the interim measures ordered by the International Court of Justice and the UN Security Council resolutions regarding Gaza, Pillet remarked, "I believe that after World War II, we established a system that created organizations meant to ensure peace and security."
"We must respect the organizations we established in good faith, and those who do not comply with their decisions undermine the entire international system," she added.
For the past nine months, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza with American support, resulting in over 125,000 Palestinian casualties, most of whom are children and women, and over 10,000 missing persons amidst massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens of children.
Israel continues its offensive despite two UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate halt and orders from the International Court of Justice to end the invasion of Rafah (south) and take measures to prevent acts of "genocide" and improve Gaza's dire humanitarian situation.