UN rights chief urges immediate de-escalation as Middle East conflict widens

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk issued an urgent appeal Friday for immediate de-escalation of the widening Middle East conflict, warning that instead of moving toward peace, the region is witnessing "more inflammatory, bellicose rhetoric, more bombings, more destruction, killings, and escalation that fuels it further." Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Turk voiced "significant concerns" about respect for international humanitarian law amid US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes.

Civilian sites must be protected

Turk highlighted reports of an attack on a school, emphasizing that civilian sites must be protected. "Obviously, this is clearly a civilian institution that should never be attacked," he said. The UN rights chief called for accountability and investigations into alleged violations, noting that "prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations" have reportedly been announced by the United States. His comments come as Iranian officials report that a girls' school in Minab was struck during the first day of US-Israeli attacks, killing 168 students.

Lebanon emerging as flashpoint

Turk voiced particular concern over developments in Lebanon, including large-scale displacement orders. "Lebanon is becoming a key flashpoint," he warned, stating he is "extremely concerned and worried about the latest developments following Hezbollah's attacks on Israel and Israel's heavy counterstrikes, as well as its extensive displacement orders that have already forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes." He called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities."

Message to US and Israel

Asked about his messages to Washington and Tel Aviv, Turk said: "The messages are, de-escalate. Go back to the negotiating table and find a way not to use methods of war and military-type actions as your means of achieving something. It's never going to work." He noted that he will be in Washington, DC, later this month, adding: "We will see what this will bring."

AI and warfare

Regarding reported use of artificial intelligence in military operations, Turk stated that his office does not know the exact details of what systems are being used, but emphasized: "It is very clear from an international human rights perspective that you need to have human control over the exercise of weapons, and if that is not the case, we are obviously very worried." His comments come amid reports that AI systems are being deployed for targeting decisions in the conflict.