UN Staff Ask Human Rights Chief To Describe Israel War in Gaza as Genocide

Sept. 1—Hundreds of UN staff at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Volker Türk have asked him to explicitly describe the Gaza war as an unfolding genocide, Reuters reported Aug.29. According to a letter seen by Reuters, the staff consider that the legal criteria for genocide in the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have been met, citing the scale, scope and nature of violations documented there.

“OHCHR has a strong legal and moral responsibility to denounce acts of genocide,” said the letter signed by the Staff Committee on behalf of over 500 employees, which called on Türk to take a “clear and public position.”

“Failing to denounce an unfolding genocide undermines the credibility of the UN and the human rights system itself,” it added.

Türk, who has repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and warned of the increasing risk of atrocity crimes, said the letter raised important concerns. “I know we all share a feeling of moral indignation at the horrors we are witnessing, as well as frustration in the face of the international community’s inability to bring this situation to an end,” he said in a copy of his response seen by Reuters, calling for employees to “remain united as an Office in the face of such adversity.”