Forty UN human rights experts have called on all countries of the world to exert political pressure to end Israel’s “illegal occupation, apartheid, oppression and aggression against the Palestinian people.”
In a statement, these experts denounced the “inaction” of countries, more than 50 days after the decision of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is “illegal.”
The ICJ’s decision follows a resolution by the UN General Assembly on 31 December 2022 calling on the court to issue an “advisory opinion” on “the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
According to UN experts, “most countries are not taking significant steps to fulfil their international obligations, which were reaffirmed by the (ICJ) ruling.”
“If we do not act now, the entire structure of international law and the rule of law in global affairs is at risk,” the experts said on Wednesday.
The resolution was signed by 40 experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the organisation.
Among the signatories is the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese.
“States must act now… and hear the voices of those calling on them to take action to end Israeli attacks against Palestinians and end the illegal occupation,” the UN experts said, calling for a range of measures including sanctions, an arms embargo, investigations and prosecutions.
“Decisive action is needed,” the UN experts said, adding, “It is time to knock on the door of every political leader and every ministry around the world to end Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid, oppression and assault on the Palestinian people.”
They concluded that “the world is on the brink of an abyss: either we move collectively toward a future of just peace and legitimacy, or we are dragged at full speed toward chaos, bitter reality, and a world where might makes right.”
