UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for beeper attack probe, citing violations of international law

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, presents a global update on human rights in the world, during the opening of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, September 2024

Jonathan Lis and DPA (German Press Agency) report in Haaretz on 20 September 2024:

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said on Friday that the orchestrators of the beeper explosions in Lebanon violated international law, calling for a thorough investigation into the initiators and executors of the attack.

Turk claimed that numerous civilians, including children, were harmed in the operation, and that the explosions on Wednesday and Thursday spread fear, anxiety, and terror among tens of thousands of innocent people in Lebanon.

In a special UN Security Council session on the beeper attack, Turk urged for a “comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the explosions.” He emphasized that “those who ordered and carried out the attacks must be held accountable. Those who made the decisions must face the consequences.”

Turk expressed horror at the beeper attack, which killed at least 37 people, including two children, and left 3,700 injured, some of whom are now permanently disabled. He noted that Lebanese authorities had neutralized additional booby-trapped devices found in universities, banks, and hospitals. The attack spread fear, anxiety, and terror among the people of Lebanon, who are already suffering from an economic crisis.

“War has rules,” Turk said. “Armed forces can only use violence against people to achieve a legitimate military objective. The distinction between civilian and military targets must be paramount.” He added, “Simultaneous harm to thousands of civilians without knowing who exactly held the devices during the attack violates international law.”

“International law prohibits the use of booby-trapped devices disguised in innocent-looking objects,” Turk added.

During the session, Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told the Security Council Israel has not ruled out further attacks on Hezbollah.
“We will not allow Hezbollah to continue its provocations. The actions violate international law and Israel will defend itself,” Danon told the UN body in New York.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib warned the Security Council of an imminent “great explosion,” and accused Israel of being behind the beeper attack.  “Either this council compels Israel to stop its aggression … or we will be silent witnesses to the great explosion that is looming on the horizon today,” Bou Habib said. “Before it is too late, you have to understand that this explosion will spare neither east nor west, and will take us back to the Dark Ages.”  “When Israel commits such acts, we only witness timid expressions of regret, which emboldens Israel to disregard the international resolutions, none of which has been implemented against Israel since 1948,” he charged. “As a result, Israel has become a rogue state.”

The U.S. representative emphasized that the U.S. had no role in the attack. He clarified that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks and noted that Hezbollah initiated an attack against Israel on October 8 without any provocation. “Hezbollah’s attacks put both Israelis and Lebanese in danger,” he added. “We expect all parties to abide by international law and avoid harming civilians.”

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