UN Warns Companies That Sell Arms to Israel About Complicity in Genocide

Gaza popaltion in the streets amid the rubble, June 2024 Photo: @volker_turk

June 20, 2024 Hour: 10:33 pm

Arms manufacturers supplying Israel should stop their transfers of war materiel, “even if they are executed under existing export licenses”.

On Thursday, a group of experts from the United Nations (UN), warned that arms corporations that sell arms and ammunition to the Zionist state, can become complicit in human rights abuses and violations of international law standards.

The group of 30 experts, including several UN special rapporteurs, said arms manufacturers supplying Israel should stop their transfers of war materiel, “even if they are executed under existing export licenses”.

“These companies, by sending arms, parts, components and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law,” the experts said.

They said that the current Israeli military attack is characterized by indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against civilians and infrastructure, including through the extensive use of explosive and incendiary weapons in densely populated areas, as well as the destruction and damage of essential and essential goods for life. civilian infrastructure, including housing and shelter, health, education, water and sanitation,” they added.

Today @UNHumanRights published report on 6 attacks committed by Israel in #Gaza that led to numerous deaths & widespread destruction of civilian objects.

These attacks raise serious concerns under laws of war & principles of distinction, proportionality & precautions.
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) June 19, 2024

“These attacks have killed more than 37,000 people in Gaza and injured 84,000. Of these deaths and injuries, an estimated 70 percent are women and children. Today, the children of Gaza constitute the largest group of amputated children in the world because of the serious injuries suffered in the war. These operations have also resulted in serious environmental and climate damage,” they added.

“It is more urgent than ever to impose an arms embargo on Israel and for investors to take decisive action, especially in the light of State obligations and corporate responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions, the Genocide Convention, international human rights treaties and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” the UN experts said.

The experts paid tribute to the sustained work of journalists who have been documenting and reporting on the devastating impact of these weapons systems on civilians in Gaza.

Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.