CHRR, Cedep for UN intervention in Gaza
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have jointly asked for the United Nations’ (UN) swift investigations into the recent events in Gaza which have led to a death toll of 1 865 people since July 8 2014.
In a joint statement signed by CHRR and Cedep executive directors Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence respectively, the two human rights organisations have said it is illegal under customary international law to intentionally target civilian objects, noting that the violation of such a fundamental tenet of law can amount to a war crime.
The two say the “massive” killings, the majority of which are civilians, including women and children, are regrettable and must be condemned in strongest terms as they impinge on the right to life.
“CHRR and Cedep further condemn the recent killings of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in shelling outside of a United Nations School in Rafah which had been sheltering thousands of civilians.
“We view these attacks as gross violations of international humanitarian law which demands utmost protection by both parties of Palestinian civilians, UN staff and UN premises, among other civilian facilities,” reads the statement in part.
The statement says CHRR and Cedep strongly believe that there is always a lasting solution to any crisis which can be best achieved through peaceful negotiations, instead of “the regrettable path of fighting and war”.
However, CHRR and Cedep have hailed both parties for agreeing to a 72-hour ceasefire beginning Tuesday, saying it is a positive step towards a lasting peaceful solution in the region and they hope each party will honour their respective parts of the agreement by refraining from any “disastrous, suspicious path”.
