DUBAI: The Muslim World League on Monday endorsed the statement issued by the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers of the Arab League condemning Iran’s recent interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
The statement slated the “terrorist acts by the Iranian axis of evil” which was threatening the countries across the region with the deployment of various groups, “in a series of subversive crimes and the spread of sectarian strife.”
Foreign Ministers from across the Arab world recently condemned what it called the Iranian aggression in the region.
The ministers warned that their countries would not “stand idly by in the face of threats to its national security.”
“We are obliged today to take a serious and honest stand … to counter these belligerent policies so that we can protect our security,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.
The ministers offered their unified support for Saudi Arabia and for any measures it may take to counter Iranian threats.
They called for Iran to end its support of Hezbollah and Houthi militias, and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Iranian aggression.
The comments follow the launch of an Iranian-supplied missile that had been aimed at Riyadh from Houthi militia-held territory in Yemen – but was intercepted by Saudi military before it could cause any serious harm.
Muslim World League backs Arab Ministers’ condemnation of Iranian aggression
Muslim World League backs Arab Ministers’ condemnation of Iranian aggression
UN rights chief slams dangerous ‘tit-for-tat dynamic’ in Mideast war
- Turk deplored the extensive attacks in residential areas, on health facilities, schools, cultural property and water and energy infrastructure
- He stressed that “under the laws of war, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all costs“
GENEVA: The United Nations rights chief voiced alarm Tuesday at the Middle East conflict’s deepening impact on civilians, warning of the dangers of the seeming “tit-for-tat dynamic” between the warring sides.
The United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, prompting waves of Iranian strikes across the Gulf.
With hostilities intensifying, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk deplored the extensive attacks in residential areas, on health facilities, schools, cultural property and water and energy infrastructure.
“This apparent tit-for-tat dynamic, involving essential infrastructure with extremely significant civilian impacts, will only increase risks for civilian populations more broadly, with potentially dire consequences across the entire region,” he warned in a statement.
Turk stressed that “under the laws of war, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all costs.”
“All parties are bound by these rules, and must be held to account if they do not,” he said, warning: “the world is watching.”
The UN rights chief warned that “strikes against vital civilian infrastructure in the Middle East — as well as the widening geographic spread of strikes — are further increasing risks for populations across the region, and beyond.”
He pointed to strikes on a water desalination plant and fuel facilities in Iran over the weekend, igniting fires and reportedly disrupting water access for dozens of villages.
It also prompted warnings of “acid rain” that could cause chemical burns and serious lung damage.
“The foreseeable impacts on civilians and the environment of these strikes raise serious questions as to compliance of these attacks with the requirements of international humanitarian law of proportionality and precaution,” Turk said.
“This warrants careful legal scrutiny.”
He also highlighted the broader impact of the war.
The plunge in commercial shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz was taking a severe toll on access to energy, food and fertilizer across the region and beyond — hitting the world’s most vulnerable people the hardest.
Turk raised concern about reports of detentions, charges and other forms of repression and intimidation against people in a number of countries, in connection with their expression of opinions around the Middle East conflict.
He demanded that all those arbitrarily detained be released immediately and unconditionally.
“States are reminded of their obligation under international human rights law to respect and protect people’s right to freedom of expression — particularly in times of crisis,” he said.
