On 28 March 2024, a side event on the protection of human rights during conflicts shed light on the growing disregard for international norms in conflict zones, particularly in Palestine and Yemen, emphasising the sobering impact on civilians.
The event showcased three expert speakers, notably Dr. Raouf Salti, President of Children’s Right to Healthcare, who has spearheaded numerous missions to provide specialised medical care to vulnerable children in Gaza and the West Bank. Dr. Salti, a renowned urological surgeon based in Geneva, shared poignant accounts of his experiences in delivering critical medical interventions and facilitating the transfer of injured children from Gaza to Geneva for urgent treatment. “The children [from Gaza] whom I saw and brought to Geneva each had their own stories, their own tears… We are all seeing this and we are all silent”. Central to the discussion was Dr. Salti's plea for equal access to healthcare for all children, exemplified by his recent efforts to assist severely injured Palestinian children and teenagers. He painted a vivid picture of the suffering endured by innocent children in Gaza, where basic human rights are routinely violated amid the ongoing conflict.
Echoing Dr. Salti's call to action, Mr. Alaa Shalabi, President of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, emphasised the urgent need for intervention, drawing from his firsthand experiences with Palestinian refugees in Egyptian hospitals. Together, they issued a compelling appeal to the global community, urging decisive action to end the cycle of violence and safeguard the rights of all affected individuals.
Mr. Shalabi succinctly outlined the mission of their organisation, focused on visiting hospitals to aid Palestinians injured in Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, a majority of whom are civilians, especially women and children. Their work not only addresses immediate needs but also raises awareness and advocates for humanitarian aid. Mr. Shalabi concluded by highlighting that “the [Genocide] Convention imposes on all countries, individually and collectively, to take action. Every country has the right to take initiatives to prevent genocide from taking place… We therefore call upon all international legal entities to follow the Netherlands in sanctioning Israel”.
In closing, Mr. Riyadh Aldubai, representative of Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration, delivered a compelling account detailing the harrowing human rights violations plaguing Yemen, particularly at the hands of the Houthi militias. He shed light on the disturbing events of 19 March 2024, when a residential area in Radaa – the Al Bayad governorate – became the target of relentless bombing. “A house holds unique importance in Yemeni society… and therefore when you bomb their houses – you cancel their right to property and their right to life”. His narrative unfolded with graphic detail, articulating the anguish and devastation wrought upon innocent civilians when their homes were reduced to rubble, and their families torn apart.
Organised in collaboration with Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration, International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, International-Lawyers.org, Children’s Right to Healthcare, and Geneva International Centre for Justice, the event served as a powerful reminder of the imperative to prioritise humanitarian intervention and uphold the dignity and rights of civilians caught in the crossfire of conflict.
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