UPDATE - UN rights chief calls for probe into 'grave violations of international law' across Gaza

UPDATES WITH FURTHER REMARKS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Monday repeated his call for an independent investigation into "grave violations of international law" across the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Turk said: "In Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, where the suffering has been unbearable, I repeat my call for an independent investigation into grave violations of international law, committed by Israel in the course of its attacks across Gaza, and by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups."

"Any sustainable solution must be based on accountability, justice, the right to self-determination, and the human rights and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians," he said.

Referring to US President Donald Trump's Gaza relocation plan, Turk said: "Any suggestion of forcing people from their land is completely unacceptable."

On the Moscow-Kyiv war, which entered its fourth year on Monday, he said the anniversary comes at a time of "escalating civilian casualties, continued wanton destruction of urban areas, and speculation about the war’s trajectory."

"Any sustainable peace must be anchored in the rights, needs and aspirations of the Ukrainian people, in accountability, and in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law," Turk said, and added: "The decisions made today -- whether they foster justice or impunity -- will shape what follows."

- Call for effort to make sure human rights remain foundational to communities

Turk emphasized "an all-out effort by everyone, to make sure that human rights and the rule of law remain foundational to communities, societies and international relations."

"Otherwise, the picture is very dangerous," he warned, and said: "Today, we need an alternative vision. We need the politics of wisdom, rooted in facts, the law, and compassion."

Regarding the work of the human rights office, he said that last year, the office contributed to the release of some 3,145 arbitrarily detained people, took part in some 11,000 human rights monitoring missions, observed nearly 1,000 trials, and documented some 15,000 situations of human rights violations around the world.

"In addition to daily interventions with governments, we issued about 245 statements, shining a light on human rights concerns in some 130 countries," he said. "I will provide details in my Global Update next week. In addition to Ukraine and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, examples include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Sudan, and Syria, where my office has been documenting abuses and raising the alarm for many years."

Facts on their own can and must prompt action, he said, adding: "When the red flags go up, they must trigger an immediate response. That is why the work of this Council, and the other human rights mechanisms, is so important."

He noted that international legal frameworks and institutions, including the International Criminal Court, are fundamental "to ensuring justice and achieving accountability for the most serious crimes, preventing future violations, and making the world safer for everyone."

"Equally important are strong institutions at the national level, to protect vulnerable people and enable everyone to participate more fully in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life," he said. It is imperative that we stand up for these institutions when they come under attack."