Former UN staff launch Urgent Appeal for immediate and decisive action in Gaza : FOGGS

An open letter addressed to senior officials of the United Nations Organization, requesting ”immediate and decisive action to address the crisis in Gaza”, has been issued by the Peacemaking Reflection Group (PRG) of former UN system staff, supported by the Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability (FOGGS). The letter is signed by 151 former UN system staff members.

The PRG urges the President of the UN General Assembly, the President of the Security Council for the month of June, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations to take immediate action to:Uphold International Humanitarian Law: To prevent the worst from happening, it is imperative that the United Nations and its partners uphold the principles of international humanitarian law without bias. Ensuring respect for international humanitarian law is crucial for protecting civilians and maintaining global standards of justice and humanity during conflicts. The Group advocates for a direct involvement of the Security Council to impose the ceasefire.

Reopen the 10th Emergency Special Session: In the event that the Security Council is unable to reach a decision due to the use of a veto, the General Assembly should proceed to reopen the 10th Emergency Special Session on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This step is necessary to ensure the fast-track implementation of the two-state solution, which aims to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
Appoint a Special Envoy: The Secretary-General should appoint a Special Envoy to engage with the parties involved in the conflict and their supporters to implement a permanent ceasefire. This envoy would facilitate discussions on the transitional period and the reconstruction of Gaza. The Special Envoy will also be responsible for assessing the feasibility of the deployment of a UN-led peacekeeping force, as requested by the Arab League at its recent summit in Manama, Bahrain.

The letter emphasizes that the UN must be central to peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts to prevent further marginalization and ensure a coordinated international response. The letter stresses that humanitarian assistance cannot be negotiated nor used as a bargaining chip, as both are clear violations of the principles of proportionality and humane treatment of non-combatants.

The group notes with appreciation the recent decisions by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and calls upon the UN leadership and principal organs to take immediate and decisive action to address the crisis in Gaza, ensuring respect for international humanitarian law to prevent further loss of life and restore stability in the region.

The full letter, including the names of the 151 signatories, can be read [here]

Team FOGGS