Geneva – EuroMed– “Do not let my family die in vain,” said Euro-Med Monitor’s advocacy officer, Ahmed al-Naouq, in an oral statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 55th session on Monday. Al-Naouq, who lost 21 members of his family in an Israeli airstrike on his family’s home in Gaza, called on the Council and its member states to hold the perpetrators accountable for the tragedy, which serves as “a microcosm of the horror inflicted upon the imprisoned population of Gaza.”
“I sat before you some months ago representing Euro-Med Monitor to speak for victims of human rights abuses in the Middle East. But today, I sit before you representing myself, as I AM the victim,” al-Naouq said.
I sat before you some months ago representing Euro-Med Monitor to speak for victims of human rights abuses. Today, I sit before you representing myself, as I AM the victim
Ahmed al-Naouq, Euro-Med Monitor’s Advocacy Officer, before the Human Rights Council
“Israel killed my father, my two brothers—one of whom dedicated his life to human rights advocacy. Israeli also killed my three sisters, my cousin, and 14 innocent nieces and nephews, all under the age of 13.”
On 22 October 2023, an Israeli aircraft targeted al-Naouq’s home in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, an area that was designated ‘safe’ by Israel, where the residents of Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip were asked to take refuge.
Among the victims was his brother, Mahmoud, who was a former translator at Euro-Med Monitor.
Al-Naouq stated that over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by the ongoing Israeli large-scale war on the blockaded Gaza Strip, with an overwhelming majority being civilians, including 70 percent women and children.
“For four months, Israel has perpetrated a litany of crimes against my people: starvation, the targeting of journalists, the systematic destruction of our medical infrastructure, the erasure of our educational institutions and more.” he continued.
Al-Naouq demanded justice for his family and hundreds of thousands of civilians who have fallen victims to Israel’s war, calling on the Council’s member states to take swift action to exert pressure on Israel to halt the attacks.
“The blood of the innocent cries out from the scorched earth of Gaza, demanding justice, accountability and retribution for the unspeakable atrocities committed against us,” he concluded. “It is already too late.”
Full oral statement:
Mr. President
I sat before you some months ago representing the Euro-Med Monitor to speak for victims of human rights abuses in the Middle East.
But today, I sit before you representing myself, as I AM the victim.
Mr President,
On October 22nd 2023, the Israeli army bombed my home in Gaza. It killed 21 members of my family. Israel killed my father, my two brothers—one of whom dedicated his life to human rights advocacy. Israeli also killed my three sisters, my cousin, and 14 innocent nieces and nephews, all under the age of 13.
My family’s tragedy is but a microcosm of the horror inflicted upon imprisoned population of Gaza. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli aggression, with a staggering 92% being civilians and 70% of them women and children. For four months, Israel has perpetrated a litany of crimes against my people: starvation, the targeting of journalists, the systematic destruction of our medical infrastructure, the erasure of our educational institutions and more
Mr. President,
Do not let my family die in vain. The blood of the innocent cries out from the scorched earth of Gaza, demanding justice, accountability and retribution for the unspeakable atrocities committed against us. It is already too late.
Thank you.
