The UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged the international community to contain escalating conflict in the Middle East following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes. Speaking in Geneva, Turk expressed deep concern over increasing bombings, inflammatory rhetoric, and the destruction of civilian areas.
Turk highlighted reports of attacks on schools and other civilian sites, emphasizing the need to respect international humanitarian law. He called for prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations into alleged violations, noting that the US has announced inquiries into the incidents.
He stressed that military escalation is not a viable solution and urged all parties to return to negotiations. Turk also expressed alarm over developments in Lebanon, where displacement orders following Hezbollah attacks on Israel and Israeli counterstrikes have forced hundreds of thousands to flee.
On emerging technologies, Turk warned that any use of artificial intelligence in weapons must remain under human control to comply with international human rights standards.
Source:AA
