UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, in his opening speech at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, stated that the war in the region targets not only military and diplomatic balances but also the right to life, security, and dignity of millions of people.
Türk welcomed the agreement reached between the US and Iran, which envisages an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for new negotiations. However, he emphasized that at this fragile stage, the parties must implement the agreement swiftly and in good faith.
The agreement is seen as the first significant diplomatic milestone toward ending the war that began in February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which caused thousands of deaths and major shocks in energy markets.
The Crisis Is Not Only Between Washington and Tehran
Türk noted that the crisis cannot be resolved solely through the agreement between Washington and Tehran. His speech highlighted Israel’s attacks on Iran, operations in Lebanon, Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks, and the ongoing destruction in Gaza.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed concern over Israel’s attacks on settlements and infrastructure in Lebanon, seen as the most significant obstacle after the agreement. He called for an immediate halt to the fighting, Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and investigations into alleged violations of international law.
Severe Violations in Gaza and the West Bank
Türk reserved the harshest part of his speech for Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Since the ceasefire declared in October 2025, he said approximately one thousand Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, the vast majority of whom are civilians.
He stated that Israeli authorities are increasingly confining Palestinians to a shrinking area and restricting vital aid, deepening the humanitarian disaster. In the West Bank, he noted an acceleration in violence by the Israeli army and settlers, destruction, land confiscation, and de facto annexation processes.
He reported that dozens of Palestinians have been killed, hundreds detained, and numerous land seizure orders issued in the West Bank this year. According to Türk, discussions by some senior Israeli officials about completely displacing Palestinians in Gaza and eliminating the possibility of a viable Palestinian state reflect a wholly illegal approach.
New Call for Investigation into School Attack in Minab
Türk also renewed his call for the US to publicly release investigation findings regarding the attack on the Shaceretü’t-Tayyibe Girls’ Primary School in Minab on February 28, which resulted in the deaths of many children.
He dedicated a separate section of his speech to new warfare technologies. He said the use of drones and autonomous weapons in conflict zones such as Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo poses a new threat to civilians.
Türk urged states to take the legal and ethical implications of these technologies seriously, emphasizing that autonomous weapons cannot be authorized to commit atrocities. He stressed the need for human oversight, accountability, and updating the framework of international law.
Human Rights Appeal to G7 Leaders
The speech coincided with the G7 summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France. Türk addressed the G7 leaders gathered across Lake Geneva, urging them to place human rights at the center of their discussions as a fundamental force for stability and progress.
The G7 agenda includes the Iran war, Ukraine, Gaza, artificial intelligence, energy security, and global economic imbalances. The 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council will continue in Geneva until July 7.
