This came during a session held by the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of its Recurrence.
In her speech, the advisor at the Turkish mission to the United Nations, Gulşah Cumurcu Kader, said that the international community is still witnessing "serious atrocities that could amount to genocide today," stressing the need to adhere to international law to prevent the recurrence of these crimes.
The Turkish diplomat referred to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, saying: "This convention has never been more important at a time when we are witnessing a global rise in racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, discrimination, and intolerance towards others."
She called for strengthening tools to combat racism and hate speech, and stressed the importance of accountability under international law. She said, "There should be no impunity for grave violations of international law, as in Gaza. Otherwise, perpetrators will be encouraged to continue their atrocities.
She noted that the best way to honor the victims and survivors of genocide is to "intensify measures to prevent its recurrence," reaffirming Türkiye's commitment to the Convention and global efforts to turn words into actions.
Israel committed genocide in Gaza over a two-year period starting on October 7, 2023, leaving more than 70,000 martyrs and more than 171,000 wounded Palestinians, most of them children and women, and massive destruction with reconstruction costs estimated by the United Nations at about $70 billion.
Israel continues to violate the humanitarian protocol of the ceasefire agreement in effect in the Gaza Strip since October 10, by allowing the entry of far less aid than agreed upon, according to data from the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip.
