Human rights are universal, not optional

Malaysiakini

06-05-2025

LETTER | The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia strongly condemns the recent attacks by Israeli forces on Palestinian paramedics, health facilities, and designated safe zones. These atrocities blatantly violated agreed ceasefires and have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including children, humanitarian personnel and medical workers.
The deliberate targeting of medical teams and aid workers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The attacks on members of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society are not isolated incidents, they reflect a broader, systematic disregard for civilian lives, protected persons and fundamental human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In addition to targeting medical personnel, Israeli forces have repeatedly bombed hospitals, attacked densely populated refugee camps, and launched strikes on designated "safe zones" that should be protected from military operations.
These actions are egregious breaches of the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law, underscoring the ongoing impunity with which such atrocities are committed.
Suhakam stands with the global community in condemning this ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The continued violations of ceasefire agreements and the disproportionate use of force must cease without delay. These actions contravene several key international treaties and declarations, including:
The Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilians in times of war and prohibits the targeting of hospitals, medical units and humanitarian personnel.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines the targeting of medical workers and civilians as war crimes.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular:
Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including medical care and social services.
The United Nations Charter, under Article 1, mandates all member states to maintain international peace and security and to take effective collective measures to prevent and remove threats to peace. The current military actions are not only unjustifiable but also continue to fuel instability and immense civilian suffering.
In light of the Security Council's inaction, we call on the UN General Assembly to invoke the Uniting for Peace resolution (Resolution 377A(V)), which empowers the General Assembly to recommend that UN member states take collective measures, including sanctions and peacekeeping operations, in the event the Security Council fails to act due to the lack of unanimity among its permanent members.
Suhakam also calls on the government to take a principled and vocal stand on the international stage in support of efforts to end all forms of apartheid, occupation, colonial domination, and collective punishment inflicted on the Palestinian people.
It is critical to recognise that the root of the crisis lies in a longstanding system of oppression and displacement. Any political solution must address the structural injustices that have been entrenched since the Nakba and perpetuated through decades of occupation.
Human rights are not optional; they are universal. The people of Gaza deserve peace, dignity, and justice.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.