Latest news with #UNHRC
United News of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Iranian FM condemns Israeli attacks at UN meeting
Geneva, June 21 (UNI) Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned Israeli attacks on the country at a United Nations meeting here on Friday. Speaking at the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Araghchi said that Israel has launched "an unprovoked aggression" against Iran. Araghchi is in Geneva for a meeting with his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany, with an EU representative also attending. Araghchi pointed out in his speech at the UNHRC meeting that Israel has been committing "a horrible genocide in Palestine," and now it is waging aggression against Iran. Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, he said. Iran's nuclear facilities have also been targeted, despite their being under monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araghchi noted. Such attacks not only constitute a violation of international law, but could also trigger serious radioactive leaks with catastrophic environmental and public health consequences, he added. Araghchi noted that Iran was supposed to meet the United States on June 15 for peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear issue. The Israeli attacks, he said, represent a betrayal of diplomacy and a blow to the UN system. Shortly before the UNHRC session, Daniel Meron, Israel's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva, addressed the media. Meron said that Israel has to act now to eliminate the "existential threat" posed by Iran, stressing that Israel only attacks military objectives and strategic weapons, and that target selection is carried out responsibly and meticulously. In response to the meeting between the Iranian foreign minister and the European officials, Meron said Israel expects the European officials to "take a firm stance" on Iran and demand a complete rollback of the nuclear program, the dismantling of ballistic missile arsenal and program, among others. UNI XINHUA ARN
Time of India
15 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Iran earthquake: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits Semnan, Iran, amid rising tensions with Israel
A powerful earthquake shook Semnan in northern Iran early Friday, rattling a region already fraught with tensions. The shallow, 5.2-magnitude earthquake sparked concern because it struck near a city with a space and missile complex. The area remains volatile, both geologically and politically. The shallow 10 km-deep earthquake sparked concern, but there were no immediate reports of damage and casualties as of now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her Recently. Investructor Undo About 35 kilometers southwest of Semnan, close to Tehran, the earthquake occurred in central Iran. At 7:49 UTC, the region was shaken by the earthquake, as per a report. Tensions are already high at the time of the earthquake because of Iran's ongoing conflict with Israel. The Semnan Space Center and the Semnan Missile Complex, run by Iran's military, are said to be located in Semnan. Live Events ALSO READ: Iran news: Israel faces massive air defense crunch as Arrow interceptors run low and US stockpiles dwindle Is this area prone to earthquakes? Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world, situated on the geologically active Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt. Seismic events are common due to its complex tectonic setting, and over the years, many of them have resulted in significant destruction and fatalities. Iran typically receives 2,100 earthquakes a year, of which 15 to 16 are of magnitude 5.0 or higher. On June 20, representatives of Israel and Iran engaged in a face-off at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) amid rising tensions between the two countries. FAQs How strong was the Semnan earthquake ? It was a 5.2 magnitude quake located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Semnan. Was there any damage? No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
'Grave war crimes': Iran slams Israeli attacks at UN Human Rights Council
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on June 21 accused Israel of committing 'grave war crimes' by targeting the country's nuclear facilities, telling the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that such attacks are 'absolutely banned under international law'. Speaking at the Council's session in Geneva, Araghchi described Israel's recent strikes on Iran as 'unprovoked aggression' and 'an unjust war' that began in the early hours of June 13. He said the operations had targeted off-duty military personnel, university professors, residential areas and hospitals, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Iranians. 'Our peaceful nuclear facilities have also been targeted despite their being under full monitoring of the IAEA,' he said. 'Israel attacks on nuclear facilities are grave war crimes, given also the danger of environmental and health catastrophe as the result of radiological leakage.' He also criticised what he called a betrayal of diplomacy, noting that Iran had been engaged in talks with the United States aimed at reaching a peaceful agreement over its nuclear programme. 'We were attacked in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process. We were supposed to meet with Americans on June 15 to craft a very promising agreement for peaceful resolution of the issues fabricated over our peaceful nuclear programme. It was a betrayal of diplomacy and an unprecedented blow to the foundation of international law and UN system,' he said. Calling on member states to act, Araghchi said, 'This is a historic moment for human civilisation… The world, every State, every UN mechanism and body, has to be alarmed and has to act now to stop the aggressor, to end impunity, and to hold the criminals accountable.' Israel condemns Iran being given floor at UNHRC Earlier in the day, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon condemned the Council's decision to give Iran a platform to air its views. 'The fact that Minister Araghchi has been invited to address the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva tomorrow is even more shameful and demonstrates that this UN body has lost its sense of purpose and its moral compass,' Danon said, in a letter addressed to the president of the UN Security Council. 'It is shameful,' Danon wrote, referring to Araghchi's claim that Iran only targets military sites. 'Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lying and claiming to target military sites is a pathetic attempt to distract from what has clearly become a modus operandi for his regime: targeting civilians and wreaking havoc and destruction on the Israeli people.' Hostilities escalate The situation in West Asia worsened on June 21 as both Israel and Iran stepped up their attacks. Israel struck key nuclear infrastructure sites in Iran. In a significant retaliation, Iran launched missiles equipped with cluster munitions—marking the first confirmed use of such weapons in the current conflict. One of Iran's missiles struck an Israeli hospital on June 20, leaving many injured. In the wake of the hospital strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran's leadership would bear a 'full price' for its actions. He said Israel's military operations were progressing faster than anticipated. 'We are moving faster than planned. Our goal is clear: to neutralise Iran's nuclear capabilities before it is too late,' Netanyahu said. Also on June 20, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'can no longer be allowed to exist', pointing to what he said was the latter's stated intent to destroy Israel. US President Donald Trump, however, has been non-committal regarding America's role in the conflict. While US officials are reported to be preparing for a possible strike on Iran in the coming days, President Trump on June 19, when asked if he was moving closer to striking Iran's nuclear facilities, said: 'I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' While Israel has already hit Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz, a much more fortified complex exists under a mountain in Fodrow. As of now, only the US is said to have a bomb large enough—the 30,000-pound, bunker-busting GBU-57—that can possibly penetrate the mountainside and the fortified structure at Fodrow.
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
UN Rights office calls for end to Iran-Israel crisis
UN Rights Chief Volker Türk called for an immediate end to the Iran-Israel conflict in his opening speech to the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on 16 June 2025. Moreover, he called the civilian suffering 'deeply worrying', urging compliance with international humanitarian law and diplomacy to prevent more bloodshed. Consequently, from 13 June 2025, Israel has struck Iran's military nuclear sites, hitting centrifuge plants near Tehran and Natanz. The attacks reportedly killed senior Iranian military and nuclear personnel. As a result, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones towards Tel Aviv. Furthermore, the assault resulted in civilian casualties and extensive damage to the country's infrastructure. Although Israel and Iran have implemented flight suspensions and mass evacuations, which have affected tens of thousands of civilians. On June 18, 2025, Russia warned the United States that direct military aid to Israel could destabilise the Middle East. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the escalation and for Iran to recommit to nuclear non-proliferation. Without doubt, the G7 leaders called for restraint from all parties and reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence under international law. Subsequently, Israeli airstrikes on Iran killed between 220 and 500 people, and missile barrages killed 24 civilians and injured over 800. The Times of Israel and others report over 300 000 evacuated in large numbers from Tehran's District 18. Just as focus shifts to the Iran-Israel conflict, UN agencies warn that Gaza's situation may face worsening conditions and require uncommon aid levels. UN Rights Chief Volker Türk pushed UN members on 16 June 2025 to 'wake up' to Gaza and the Middle East's intensifying humanitarian crisis. In response to stopping regional instability, he demanded an immediate ceasefire, quick humanitarian access, and immediate diplomatic measures. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) continues to endorse de-escalation and adherence to international law. At the same time, the UN has not announced any official mediation initiative. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
UN rights chief decries 'horrifying' suffering in Gaza and urges leaders to pressure Israel, Hamas
The U.N. human rights chief said Israel 's warfare in Gaza is inflicting 'horrifying, unconscionable suffering" on Palestinians and urged government leaders on Monday to exert pressure on Israel's government and the militant group Hamas to end it. Volker Türk made the comments at the opening of the latest Human Rights Council session on Monday, in a broad address that also raised concerns about escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the fallout from U.S. tariffs, and China's human rights record — alongside wars and conflict in places like Sudan and Ukraine. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has regularly spoken out about bloodshed in Gaza and called for the release of Israeli hostages held by armed Palestinian militants, used some of his most forceful words yet to highlight the Mideast violence. 'Israel's means and methods of warfare are inflicting horrifying, unconscionable suffering on Palestinians in Gaza,' Türk told the 47-member-country body, which Israeli authorities have regularly accused of anti-Israel bias. The Trump administration has kept the United States, Israel's top ally, out of the council proceedings. Israel's military campaign since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in Israel has killed over 55,300 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It says that women and children make up most of the dead but it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 'The facts speak for themselves. Everyone in government needs to wake up to what is happening in Gaza,' Türk said. 'All those with influence must exert maximum pressure on Israel and Hamas, to put an end to this unbearable suffering.' In Brussels, medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders appealed to European Union leaders to use what leverage they have over Israel to end the siege of Gaza. Secretary-General Christopher Lockyear described Gaza as a 'hell on earth,' and said that almost two years of relentless bombardment has turned 'this narrow strip of land into a graveyard of shattered hospitals, mass graves and destroyed neighborhoods.' U.N. and many other aid deliveries were cut off in mid-March, and violence has accompanied distributions of food from the recently created Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has U.S. and Israeli backing. Beyond the suffering of inflicted on Gazans, Doctors Without Borders said its international staffers are living often on one meal a day, and some have been admitted to their own facilities for treatment. The EU is the world's biggest donor of aid to the Palestinians but has little real leverage over Israel. On top of that, the 27 nations are divided in their approach to the conflict, although concern over the plight of Gazans has grown as the siege has dragged on. In his speech Monday, Türk also bemoaned an increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine, nearly 3 1/2 years after Russia's full-scale invasion. He also denounced executions without a fair trial and 'wide-scale sexual violence, including against children" in Sudan. Without mentioning President Donald Trump by name, Türk likened the U.S. tariffs he imposed in April to 'a high-stakes poker game, with the global economy as the bank.' 'But the shockwaves of a trade war will hit Least Developed Countries with the force of a tsunami,' he said, warning of a potentially 'devastating' impact on exporters in Asia, and the prospect of higher costs for food, healthcare and education in places. Türk expressed concerns about U.S. deportations of non-nationals, including to third countries, and called on authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly. The council session, which has been shortened by 2 1/2 days because of funding issues at the U.N., is set to run through July 9. The Geneva-based council is the U.N.'s top human rights body. ___
