UN Special Rapporteurs: Human rights situation in Gaza and OPT, 15 September 2025
On 15 September 2025, UN experts, namely the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, George Katrougalos; the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor held a press conference on the Human rights situation in Gaza and OPT.
UN Special Rapporteurs brief the press on the human rights situation in Gaza and across the occupied Palestinian territory, after 710 days of days of conflict and 65000 of Palestinians killed, 65% of women and children.
Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, described the situation as a "collapse of international legal order" under an "unlawful brutal occupation." She emphasized that these crimes are "sustained by silence, complicity, funds and politics."
Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, highlighted the conflict as the deadliest for journalists, with 252 killed, many deliberately targeted. Khan called for Israel to allow independent investigations and access for international independent media.
Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, stressed the critical work of Palestinian human rights defenders amidst severe challenges, including killings and sanctions affecting Palestinian civil society.
George Katrougalos, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, described the situation as a "dystopian nightmare" and emphasized the need for a fully sovereign Palestinian state. The expert denounced the illegality in Israeli attacks, not only towards bordering states, but also towards non-bordering states such as Iran and Qatar. He concludes that there cannot be peace without justice.
Hence, the experts collectively urged immediate action to address the human rights crisis and called for accountability for the ongoing violations.
You can watch the full press conference at the following link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k18/k18iky4lpf