Elementi za govor Slovenije na 9

PERMANENT MISSION OF SLOVENIA

GENEVA

Statement by H.E. Andrej Logar on the occasion of the Ninth Special Session of the Human Rights Council
Mr. President,
Slovenia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union and would like to make some additional comments in the national capacity.
- Slovenia is deeply concerned regarding the human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip, where the suffering and anguish of the civilian population has escalated dramatically over the past days.
-While we condemn the Hamas interruption of the ceasefire that had been in place and the constant rocket attacks on Israeli territories, at the same time we also condemn the disproportionate use of force of the Israeli army and violations of international humanitarian law. 
- We are shocked by all casualties of civil population in Gaza in last days and we express our condolences to all the victims of the conflict, including to the UN staff members and their families, caused by disproportionate use of force by Israel, particularly the attacks on schools, hospitals and UNRWA facilities.
- Slovenia is persuaded that HRC must react timely always when human rights are gravely endangered and humanitarian crisis is looming.
- We have already seen the death of more than 70 children, over 500 are injured. We thus call on both sides to cease fire immediately especially to protect the most fragile group of population - children and women. A current crisis endangers lives of nearly every child in Gaza and also lives of Israeli children in areas subjected to attacks.
- Terrorism or use of force is not appropriate means to resolve conflicts. There is a need for political dialogue and action with the aim of finding sustainable solutions.
- Slovenia is in the process of allocating considerable humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

- We call upon all sides of the conflict to immediately cease all acts of violence, to abide to their obligations under applicable International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. We call on all sides to allow free and safe access of necessary humanitarian personnel and humanitarian aid and delivery of food supplies and energy to Gaza Strip and to return to the political process, set out in Annapolis that will establish a viable Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel.