Geneva: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Israel on Thursday to immediately comply with obligations under international law as outlined in the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion. The ruling emphasizes that people in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territory must have access to essential supplies.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Volker Turk stated that the ICJ’s advisory opinion reaffirmed that international human rights law applies alongside international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, and that Israel is required to ‘respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of Palestinians.’
He explained that the court specifically referenced fundamental rights, including the rights to life, freedom from torture or ill-treatment, liberty and security, freedom of movement, protection of the family, an adequate standard of living, health, education, non-discrimination, and self-determination.
Turk emphasized that Israel a
nd all other states must comply with the law as made clear in the court’s ruling, and act swiftly to bring about improvements to the human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground. He added that all parties must meet their obligations under international law, beginning with saving lives and providing essential aid to Gaza.
The ICJ ruled earlier that Israel is obliged under the Geneva Convention to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third states and impartial humanitarian groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), to ensure sufficient aid reaches the Gaza Strip.