Call to Endorse UN Staff for Gaza's Open Letter to the Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide : Shared by Robert Cohen
UN Staff for Gaza is a recently established association of current and former members of United Nations Staff and related personnel, acting in our private capacities. The initiative serves as a channel for colleagues around the world, regardless of their areas of work, to contribute to speaking out against the perpetration of mass atrocity crimes in the Gaza Strip and held defend the UN Charter.
We believe that the situation in Gaza concerns the whole of the international civil service as it constitutes an assault on our common humanity, threatens the foundational principles of the United Nations, and endangers the legacy of the Charter. For further information about the initiative, please visit www.un4gaza.org (colleagues in the Secretariat at UNHQ should view the site on a personal device).
Current and former colleagues are invited to endorse our Open Letter to the newly designated Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide.
We warmly congratulate you on your recent appointment to the role of Special Adviser to
the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide. This is a critically important position
at an extremely challenging juncture given the incidence of mass atrocity crimes in the
Gaza Strip and multiple other contexts. Your distinguished background in the promotion of
human rights will, we trust, serve you well in meeting this moment.
• issuing a public statement of recognition that the crime of genocide has been and is being perpetrated, if that is indeed your understanding and that of the Secretary-General, bearing in mind that a definitive legal finding by the International Court of Justice will arrive only once it is too late, and bearing in mind also that the volume of evidence at this stage is such that it may leave little room for doubt;
• recalling that States parties to the Genocide Convention bear obligations to prevent
genocide, when there is a risk of genocide, as is manifestly the case and as the
International Court of Justice has already warned more than a year ago, whether or
not a State determines that genocide is or is not ongoing;
• recommending that Member States immediately suspend the transfer of arms and
dual-use technologies to Israel, consistent with States’ obligations under
international law, given the clear and present risks that such arms and technologies
could be used in the commission of mass atrocity crimes;
• calling on Member States to impose targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and
asset freezes, against Israeli leaders and companies that are responsible for the
commission of mass atrocity crimes, with a view to ensuring accountability; and
• calling on the General Assembly to consider convening an Emergency Special
Session to consider authorizing a protection force, under the Uniting for Peace
mechanism.
We thank you for your consideration, Special Adviser Beyani, and we wish you success in
your incalculably vital role.
Yours sincerely,
UN Staff for Gaza
We believe that the situation in Gaza concerns the whole of the international civil service as it constitutes an assault on our common humanity, threatens the foundational principles of the United Nations, and endangers the legacy of the Charter. For further information about the initiative, please visit www.un4gaza.org (colleagues in the Secretariat at UNHQ should view the site on a personal device).
Current and former colleagues are invited to endorse our Open Letter to the newly designated Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide.
See the letter below or click here
UN Staff for Gaza aims to collect at least 1,000 endorsements. The letter will be sent to the Special Adviser once a sufficient mass of endorsements are collected and/or once the Special Adviser will have formally assumed his functions (he has been nominated but is not yet in post).
The contents of the letter may be adjusted based on developments during UNGA High-level Week. In this case, endorsers will be notified and will have an opportunity to review whether they will still wish to endorse.
ALL ENDORSEMENTS ARE FULLY ANONYMOUS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL YOUR NAMES OR INFORMATION BE SHARED WITH ANYONE.
Click here to endorse the letter. (see text below)
The following is the text of an open letter intended for Dr. Chaloka Beyani, the incoming
Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide. The letter has not
yet been sent. IT IS OPEN FOR ENDORSEMENT VIA THIS ONLINE FORM.
Dear Special Adviser Beyani,
UN Staff for Gaza aims to collect at least 1,000 endorsements. The letter will be sent to the Special Adviser once a sufficient mass of endorsements are collected and/or once the Special Adviser will have formally assumed his functions (he has been nominated but is not yet in post).
The contents of the letter may be adjusted based on developments during UNGA High-level Week. In this case, endorsers will be notified and will have an opportunity to review whether they will still wish to endorse.
ALL ENDORSEMENTS ARE FULLY ANONYMOUS. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL YOUR NAMES OR INFORMATION BE SHARED WITH ANYONE.
Click here to endorse the letter. (see text below)
The following is the text of an open letter intended for Dr. Chaloka Beyani, the incoming
Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide. The letter has not
yet been sent. IT IS OPEN FOR ENDORSEMENT VIA THIS ONLINE FORM.
Dear Special Adviser Beyani,
We warmly congratulate you on your recent appointment to the role of Special Adviser to
the Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide. This is a critically important position
at an extremely challenging juncture given the incidence of mass atrocity crimes in the
Gaza Strip and multiple other contexts. Your distinguished background in the promotion of
human rights will, we trust, serve you well in meeting this moment.
We write as UN Staff for Gaza, a recently established association of current and former
members of United Nations Staff and related personnel, acting in our private capacities.
members of United Nations Staff and related personnel, acting in our private capacities.
Our initiative was created in late July to serve as a channel through which UN colleagues
around the world, regardless of their areas of work, could contribute to speaking out
against the mass atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza.
around the world, regardless of their areas of work, could contribute to speaking out
against the mass atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza.
We believe that the situation in Gaza concerns all of us across the international civil
service, as it constitutes an assault on our common humanity, threatens the foundational
principles of the United Nations, and endangers the legacy of the Charter. We fear that the
project of uniting nations could become irreparably damaged if the relentless onslaught of
atrocities in Gaza is not halted with urgency. As committed current and former
international civil servants, who adhere to the oath of office to fulfil our responsibilities
with loyalty and conscience, we believe it is our duty to bring our concerns to your
attention.
service, as it constitutes an assault on our common humanity, threatens the foundational
principles of the United Nations, and endangers the legacy of the Charter. We fear that the
project of uniting nations could become irreparably damaged if the relentless onslaught of
atrocities in Gaza is not halted with urgency. As committed current and former
international civil servants, who adhere to the oath of office to fulfil our responsibilities
with loyalty and conscience, we believe it is our duty to bring our concerns to your
attention.
We are proud to serve in an Organization in which the leadership has been outspoken.
Secretary-General António Guterres, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini,
and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, have been consistent and firm in
their advocacy against mass atrocity crimes, for an immediate and permanent ceasefire,
and for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access. We remain united behind the
Secretary-General's leadership and trust that our expression of deep concern will not be
misinterpreted as criticism.
Our concern stems from the fact that, notwithstanding the vast array of instruments for
early warning and prevention, the world has failed to prevent heinous mass atrocity crimes
in Gaza. Numerous distinguished experts both internal and external to the United Nations
have determined that the threshold under the Genocide Convention has been met. This
failure of humanity will leave an indelible stain, with adverse repercussions for present and
future generations. A world in which international law holds no more meaning is a world
that is a more dangerous for everyone and less likely to fulfil the shared aspirations of
humankind.
Secretary-General António Guterres, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini,
and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, have been consistent and firm in
their advocacy against mass atrocity crimes, for an immediate and permanent ceasefire,
and for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access. We remain united behind the
Secretary-General's leadership and trust that our expression of deep concern will not be
misinterpreted as criticism.
Our concern stems from the fact that, notwithstanding the vast array of instruments for
early warning and prevention, the world has failed to prevent heinous mass atrocity crimes
in Gaza. Numerous distinguished experts both internal and external to the United Nations
have determined that the threshold under the Genocide Convention has been met. This
failure of humanity will leave an indelible stain, with adverse repercussions for present and
future generations. A world in which international law holds no more meaning is a world
that is a more dangerous for everyone and less likely to fulfil the shared aspirations of
humankind.
We know that our leaders have worked tirelessly over the past two years to help ensure
peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, and that their resolve has remained as firm as
ever. We wonder whether, nevertheless, all options for advocacy with Member States have
been fully considered and exhausted. We believe that the severity of the situation may
warrant exhausting all possible options at the disposal of the United Nations.
peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, and that their resolve has remained as firm as
ever. We wonder whether, nevertheless, all options for advocacy with Member States have
been fully considered and exhausted. We believe that the severity of the situation may
warrant exhausting all possible options at the disposal of the United Nations.
Your role in this regard is essential, advising the Secretary-General and mobilizing the
international community to devise and implement immediate measures commensurate
with the gravity of the situation. It is essential that political will and momentum for such measures be galvanized without delay.
international community to devise and implement immediate measures commensurate
with the gravity of the situation. It is essential that political will and momentum for such measures be galvanized without delay.
Appropriate options for yourself and the Secretary- General to help build such momentum and prevent the further commission of atrocity crimes could perhaps include, among others:
• issuing a public statement of recognition that the crime of genocide has been and is being perpetrated, if that is indeed your understanding and that of the Secretary-General, bearing in mind that a definitive legal finding by the International Court of Justice will arrive only once it is too late, and bearing in mind also that the volume of evidence at this stage is such that it may leave little room for doubt;
• recalling that States parties to the Genocide Convention bear obligations to prevent
genocide, when there is a risk of genocide, as is manifestly the case and as the
International Court of Justice has already warned more than a year ago, whether or
not a State determines that genocide is or is not ongoing;
• recommending that Member States immediately suspend the transfer of arms and
dual-use technologies to Israel, consistent with States’ obligations under
international law, given the clear and present risks that such arms and technologies
could be used in the commission of mass atrocity crimes;
• calling on Member States to impose targeted sanctions, such as travel bans and
asset freezes, against Israeli leaders and companies that are responsible for the
commission of mass atrocity crimes, with a view to ensuring accountability; and
• calling on the General Assembly to consider convening an Emergency Special
Session to consider authorizing a protection force, under the Uniting for Peace
mechanism.
We do not presume to make recommendations neither to you nor the Secretary-General.
That does not fall within our remit and we do not have visibility over the full spectrum of
enabling and constraining factors of the environment in which UN leadership operates. We
nevertheless hope that our expression of deep, searing concern may be taken into
account, as appropriate.
That does not fall within our remit and we do not have visibility over the full spectrum of
enabling and constraining factors of the environment in which UN leadership operates. We
nevertheless hope that our expression of deep, searing concern may be taken into
account, as appropriate.
We thank you for your consideration, Special Adviser Beyani, and we wish you success in
your incalculably vital role.
Yours sincerely,
UN Staff for Gaza
Endorsed
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