ILGA World | GAZA: AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IS NEEDED!
Geneva, 27 October 2023 - The ongoing crisis in Gaza is escalating rapidly, and the international community must do all it can to achieve sustainable, lasting peace, ILGA World said today. The indiscriminate targeting of civilians, and the scale of atrocities happening, is a continuous violation of international humanitarian and criminal law, and it must stop immediately.
As the global federation of LGBTI organisations, we are extremely concerned about how the ever-escalating violence is impacting our communities, as well as populations as a whole, across West Asia. Whenever terrorist attacks, war and humanitarian crises ensue, LGBTI communities are even more likely to face rejection and aggravated levels of violence as they seek to access lifesaving services and support: this is a reality for all those who are already at heightened risk of facing violence and discrimination in their everyday lives.
We stand in solidarity with all our communities across the region and reiterate calls made by the international community for an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages taken by Hamas and the restoration of essential services - including electricity and water - for the population in Gaza. Borders to the Gaza strip need to be opened to deliver the lifesaving humanitarian aid that besieged populations are in the direst need of.
We strongly condemn the heinous attack by the Hamas terrorist group on Israel on 7 October and are appalled by the resulting tragedy and human suffering.
We also strongly condemn the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza with countless civilians killed - including children and medical workers - by Israeli Defence Forces since October 7 and the escalation of the situation in Gaza, which UN Special Procedures have considered as resulting in crimes against humanity. The heinous attack by Hamas cannot be a justification for the collective punishment of a whole population. To date, about 1.4 million people – more than half of Gaza’s population – have now been internally displaced, with many seeking refuge in overcrowded UN emergency shelters.
We are also extremely concerned with rising rates of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred across the world and online. We call for compassion and solidarity: no community should suffer from hate speech and violence.
We seek a future that includes security, dignity, and full human rights for all. The world has already created the legal tools to ensure this is a reality: international humanitarian and human rights law. But these tools have regularly been trampled over, and their credible effectiveness is being damaged by a complete lack of accountability.
Restoring international legality goes beyond the solution of the current war. This must start now: urgently, by halting this horrific spiral of violence and engaging in dialogue, and eventually by addressing the root causes of a conflict that has stained the region for decades.
— ILGA World, Fri, 10/27/2023 - 12:36
