“U.N FAILING TO PREVENT GENOCIDE” - U.N NEW YORK DIRECTOR RESIGNS
Craig Mokhiber, the director of the New York office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, has resigned from his position (Photo: The Skwawkbox)
In a bold and controversial move, Craig Mokhiber, the director of the New York office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, has resigned from his position, criticizing what he views as an ongoing "genocide" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza due to Israeli bombardment. Mokhiber's resignation letter, addressed to UN high commissioner Volker Turk in Geneva, is a powerful condemnation of the situation in the Palestinian territories, as well as a call for a drastic shift in the approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mokhiber's resignation comes with a scathing critique of the United Nations itself, accusing the organisation of repeatedly failing to prevent genocides in the past and now finding itself "powerless to stop" another unfolding tragedy. He points to past atrocities, including the genocides against the Tutsis in Rwanda, Muslims in Bosnia, the Yazidi in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the Rohingya in Myanmar, as examples of the UN's inability to prevent such crises.
Furthermore, Mokhiber asserts that the current situation in Gaza, characterized by what he describes as an "ethno-nationalist colonial settler ideology," is a "textbook case of genocide." He also accuses the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Europe of not only failing to meet their treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions but also providing support, including arming Israel's assault and diplomatic cover for it.
Mokhiber's resignation letter has stirred controversy by calling for the effective end of the state of Israel. He advocates for the establishment of a single, democratic secular state in historic Palestine that guarantees equal rights to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, thereby dismantling what he views as a "racist, settler-colonial project" and putting an end to apartheid.
Mokhiber, a lawyer specialising in international human rights law, has been part of the UN since 1992, holding various significant roles related to human rights. Despite his lengthy career, he has faced criticism from pro-Israeli groups for his social media comments, including support for the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement and accusations of Israeli apartheid.
The Guardian reported on Mokhiber's resignation, and the UN has issued a statement confirming Mokhiber's retirement, emphasising that his views expressed in the letter are his personal opinions. This resignation has sparked mixed reactions, with some, like Louis Charbonneau, the UN director at Human Rights Watch, seeing it as a powerful critique of the UN's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a plea to address double standards. Others, such as Anne Bayefsky, have accused Mokhiber of "overt antisemitism."
Mokhiber's resignation raises important questions about the UN's role in addressing global human rights issues and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While his views may be polarising, they highlight the urgency of finding a just and lasting solution to a long-standing conflict that continues to result in immense suffering for those caught in the crossfire.
