More than 500 officials from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed their dissatisfaction with High Commissioner Volker Türk over what they perceive as his evasion of classifying the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip as “genocide.”

RELATED:

Israel Issues Evacuation Order to Gaza City Residents After Over 700 Days of Genocide

In a letter to Türk, the officials denounce that this silence not only dilutes Israel’s responsibility but also undermines the organization’s credibility as a defender of international law.

The staff considers that the situation in Gaza meets the criteria of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, an assessment based on the findings of experts and United Nations (UN) mechanisms.

The letter also refers to orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and warnings from other UN special procedures about the “risk of genocide” in the territory.

The staff members’ demands are clear: they ask that the Office publicly declare that the legal threshold for genocide has been reached, that the delay in establishing a clear position be acknowledged, and that states be urged to suspend the sale and shipment of arms to Israel.

They also request a review of the Office’s collaborations that could contribute to the violations, as well as increased international pressure to achieve a cessation of hostilities and compliance with the ICJ measures.

Officials noted that the United Nations was established after the Holocaust to prevent genocide, and failing to denounce an ongoing genocide, as occurred in Rwanda, undermines the legitimacy of the entire multilateral system.

In his response, Volker Türk addressed his colleagues, acknowledging his “moral outrage” and “frustration” at the international community’s failure to stem the crisis. However, he did not directly address the call to use the term “genocide.”

Instead, Türk praised the staff’s work, reaffirmed his commitment to professional oversight and accountability, and assured them that he would continue to raise concerns about arms transfers. The High Commissioner concluded his letter with a call for unity, urging staff to remain steadfast in their work to uphold human rights.

According to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, as a result of the Israeli siege that began in October 2023, the death toll has reached 64,718 Palestinians killed. This figure is in addition to more than 163,850 others injured.

The discontent of UN staff adds to the position of the Venezuelan government. President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly publicly supported the campaign for Volker Türk’s resignation, accusing him of ignoring the murder of children, women, and men in Gaza, as well as the bombings in Lebanon and Syria.

related:

President Maduro Accuses UN’s Volker Türk of Gaza Genocide Complicity

Last June, the Venezuelan president described Türk’s agenda as “contrary to human rights” and praised the campaign calling for his resignation.

The president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing that “he who kills is just as murderous as he who covers it up,” highlighting the High Commissioner’s silence regarding the genocide Israel is perpetrating in Gaza.

Furthermore, Rodríguez stated that, like the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who kidnapped 252 Venezuelans (later rescued by the Maduro government), Volker Türk is equally responsible for covering up these crimes with his silence.

IN THIS ARTICLE