Hundreds of United Nations (UN) staff members have sent a letter calling for the declaration of genocide in the extermination of Palestinians in Gaza by Israeli forces. The letter, condemning Israel’s inhumane crimes, was addressed to Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Most of the signatories are OHCHR staff members.
The genocide of 2.2 million people living in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. The death toll in this genocide has risen to 63,000, mostly innocent women, children, and the elderly. The number of injured has risen to 158,000.
In the letter to Türk, the staff members stated that according to international standards, it is clear that the Israeli forces are carrying out genocide against the people of Gaza under the orders of extremist Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They added that the illegal crimes committed by Israeli forces are well-documented and transparent.
“It is the legal and moral responsibility of OHCHR to condemn genocide in the strongest terms if it is occurring,” stated the letter signed by over 500 staff members and supported by more than 2,000 employees. “Hesitation in declaring [the extermination of Gaza’s people] as genocide undermines the credibility of the UN and human rights.” The OHCHR staff also called on Türk to take a direct stance on the Gaza genocide.
In response to the letter, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will continue to trust and fully support Türk. “The power to declare an incident as genocide lies with legal institutions,” he said.
International organizations, including Amnesty International, which advocates for human rights, have also declared that Israel is committing genocide to exterminate the people of Gaza. Additionally, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, has also described it as genocide.
Türk has previously condemned the Gaza genocide. “I acknowledge that we all feel the current horror and moral revulsion. And there is concern about the international community’s inability to end this situation,” Türk said in response to the letter from OHCHR staff.
