Sir, – Referencing the loss of life of non-combatants in Gaza, President Michael D Higgins (News, February 3, 2024) highlights the very real risk posed by this conflict to the discourse of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Ongoing complex conflicts are increasingly protracted, leaving civilians without protection, hungry, displaced and dependent on dwindling humanitarian assistance.
For example, the Sudan conflict has resulted in the displacement of 7.4 million people, with 17.7 million (37 per cent of the population) experiencing acute food insecurity.
In Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti and across the Sahel – Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso – peace remains elusive and humanitarian needs grow.
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Concern is responding, wherever and however we can, to reach communities devastated by months of relentless fighting. The responsibility to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law is shared by all countries. However, the permanent members of the UN Security Council are vested with particular authority. Their adherence to and respect for human rights is critical in setting the tone.
The world cannot afford to normalise the suffering of innocent civilians. Nor can the world afford to further undermine international humanitarian and human rights law. – Yours, etc,
DAVID REGAN,
Chief Executive,
Concern Worldwide,
Dublin 2.
