UN rights experts warn Israel’s offensive in Lebanon echoes Gaza, accuse it of war crimes
NEW YORK CITY: A group of UN human rights experts on Wednesday condemned what they described as systematic and widespread breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law by Israel in its ongoing war in Lebanon, and cautioned that ordinary Lebanese citizens were paying an outsized and devastating price.
The experts drew a direct comparison with Israeli action in Gaza, saying: “Israel’s issuance of immediate ‘displacement orders’ is reminiscent of those used by Israel in Gaza against the civilian population.”
The joint statement was signed by six UN-appointed independent experts: Reem Alsalem, special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Morris Tidball-Binz, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Koldo Casla, special rapporteur on adequate housing; Paula Gaviria Betancur, special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; George Katrougalos, independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; and Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
