UN High Commissioner for Human Rights describes Rafah evacuation order as 'inhumane'

CAIRO - 7 May 2024: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday warned that civilian deaths, suffering and destruction were set to increase beyond already unbearable levels following the eastern Rafah evacuation order. 

“This is inhumane. It runs contrary to the basic principles of international humanitarian and human rights laws, which have the effective protection of civilians as their overriding concern" Türk said.

He added that “Forcibly relocating hundreds of thousands from Rafah to areas which have already been flattened and where there is little shelter and virtually no access to humanitarian assistance necessary for their survival is inconceivable. It will only expose them to more danger and misery.” 

“More attacks on what is now the primary humanitarian hub in the Gaza Strip are not the answer,” Türk continued.