Palestine Participates in the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Varsen Shahin is participating in the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session was opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and the President of the UN General Assembly. The political situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip dominated the opening statements.

In his speech, the Secretary-General affirmed that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is an inherent and inalienable right. He warned that the two-state solution is being undermined daily amid ongoing violations on the ground. The High Commissioner described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic, noting that humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip is insufficient compared to the enormous needs. He expressed serious concerns over forced displacement and signs of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, emphasizing the need for all parties to respect international law and return to international legitimacy. He stressed that any sustainable solution in the Middle East must include the two-state solution.

The President of the General Assembly condemned attacks targeting UNRWA and underscored the importance of protecting UN institutions and ensuring the continuity of their humanitarian work.

Minister Shahin’s participation reflects Palestine’s diplomatic efforts to mobilize international support to halt aggression against the Palestinian people, ensure adequate humanitarian aid, prevent forced displacement, and realize an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.