Micòl Savia, Secretary-General of the IADL and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, delivered the following statement to the 33rd meeting of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council on September 30, 2025.
The statement, delivered jointly with CETIM, addresses the urgent need for action to end Israeli genocide in Gaza and to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, while holding up a critical lens to international initiatives that seek to shield the perpetrators of genocide from accountability:
Item 7 – Human Rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories – General Debate
Emboldened by its apparently endless impunity, over the last two years Israel carried out genocide, ethnic cleansing and the full range of the worst war crimes and crimes against humanity provided for by international law. They did it on camera, without facing any significant consequences.
Despite authoritative findings from the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, International Commission of Inquiry, and UN Special Procedures, many governments still refuse to label Israel’s actions as genocide, and continue to supply weapons, diplomatic cover, economic support, and intelligence cooperation to its perpetrators. Moreover, to shield Israel from criticism and accountability, western countries violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of their citizens on a massive and unprecedented scale. In Europe alone, thousands of people are currently in jail or under investigation for opposing genocide and supporting Palestinian liberation.
Apart from admirable efforts by South Africa, Colombia, the Hague Group and few others, no concrete and meaningful action – at a state level – has been taken to stop the genocide and hold Israel accountable.
The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two State Solution, and its outcome document – the so-called New York Declaration – are yet another demonstration of disregard for international law and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. Most leaders discuss about peaceful coexistence as if there were not an ongoing genocide and brutal occupation. And when addressing Palestine’s future, they seem to ignore that colonialism is over. Rather than advancing peace and justice, this initiative appears to be a desperate attempt to save Israel from accountability and evade responsibility.
Such talks serve to deflect global public outrage and divert the attention from what should be done according to international law. The whole Israeli colonial project and its apartheid regime have no place in the 21st century. They must be fought by all legitimate means. They must be dismantled.
Once again, we urge UN member states to restore the rule of law and, thereby, the credibility of this Council and the entire UN system. Member states must take all necessary measures to guarantee to the Palestinian people an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the end of occupation, the right to return, accountability, reparations, guarantees of no recurrence, self-determination and sovereignty. This is the only path towards a just and lasting peace.
29 September 2025