The 60th Session of the Human Rights Council
8 September 2025 - 8 October 2025
Item 4: General debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
(23 September 2025)
Joint statement by Union of Arab Jurists, International-Lawyers.Org, International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD), Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration, and Geneva International Centre of Justice (GICJ)
Delivered by Andrea Pantazi
Thank you.
As we sit here, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Those who have not been killed, are forcibly displaced, with no safe place to flee. The entire Palestinian population has been subject to these horrendous acts of genocide.
A few days ago, the UN Independent Commission of Iniquiry made it clear in its report, I quote “Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip” end quote.
The Commission’s evidence clearly shows acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention. Since the start of the attacks, Palestinian people have suffered and died in great numbers, which grow as we speak. We welcome the Commission’s acknowledgment of genocide, long overdue.
From the outset, the intent behind these attacks has been unmistakable: the killing of civilians, the infliction of serious harm, and the creation of conditions of life intended to destroy the population are acts of genocide. Such findings impose a legally binding obligation on all States to prevent genocide, to ensure accountability, and to refrain from any actions that would contribute to these crimes. We recall that this Commission was established by the Human Rights Council itself in 2021, and therefore its findings merit the Council’s full implementation.
We call upon the Human Rights Council and all UN Member States to implement the Commission’s recommendations without delay, ensure the protection of civilians, and work toward accountability for those responsible.
Justice and humanity demand nothing less. The world is watching you.
Thank you.
