Friday 28 / February / 2025
Geneva: The Sultanate of Oman has voiced strong criticism regarding the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasising the necessity of adhering to established human rights standards. Oman specifically advocated for the implementation of recommendations demanding the unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from Gaza, while simultaneously rejecting any attempts to undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
During his address at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, His Excellency Ambassador Idris bin Abdulrahman Al-Khanjari, Oman’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva, expressed appreciation for the report’s findings. However, he articulated that these findings failed to adequately reflect the profound magnitude of suffering endured by the residents of Gaza. His Excellency highlighted the intense pressures exerted upon organisations such as UNRWA and other international bodies operating within the occupied territories, as well as the stance of certain Western nations, which frequently overlook Palestinian rights and apply double standards in addressing human rights issues, demonstrating an unacceptable level of selectivity.
Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out the report’s lack of balance in addressing the substantial disparity between the harm inflicted upon Palestinian victims due to the occupation and the widespread destruction caused by Israeli practices in Gaza. He also stated that it is unacceptable for the international community to merely call upon the occupying power to permit the entry of food or medical teams, as these are fundamental rights recognised by international law. He urged international institutions to intensify their efforts to bring an end to this decades-long tragedy.
