ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINIANS TO STOP LATEST VIOLENCE

ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS ON ISRAEL

AND PALESTINIANS TO STOP LATEST VIOLENCE

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 14 May (UN Information Service) -- Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan is alarmed over the violence
and death toll following Israeli incursions into Gaza this week.  More than
25 Palestinians have been killed and dozens of others injured.  At least
11 Israeli soldiers have also died, with the remains of some of them being paraded by members of Palestinian armed groups in a shocking display.

The acting High Commissioner is concerned about the scale of the use of force by the Israeli army in its latest operations.  He urges all parties to respect the right to life, fundamental to all other human rights.

The acting High Commissioner also urges all concerned to stop the violence in Gaza and to resume negotiations, in line with the calls of the Quartet, aimed at securing a lasting settlement and respect for all human rights.  He emphasizes the duty of protection of human rights even in armed conflict and appeals to all concerned to live up to this obligation.

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