TURKISH JOURNAL – Pia BOZYEL – United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of adhering to international law, stating that “preventing all forms of ethnic cleansing is essential.”
Guterres delivered a speech at the 2025 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
The Secretary-General underlined that the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people are becoming increasingly unattainable. “We are witnessing the systematic dehumanization and demonization of an entire people,” he said.
While condemning the October 7 Hamas attacks as unjustifiable, Guterres stressed that what has unfolded in Gaza over the past months is equally unacceptable. “There can be no justification for the destruction and unspeakable horrors we have witnessed in Gaza,” he added.
Call for a Lasting Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
Welcoming the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages, Guterres expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. However, he insisted that the process must not stop here.
“The focus must be on securing a permanent ceasefire and the immediate release of all remaining hostages,” Guterres stated. He also highlighted the UN’s ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians, emphasizing the need for “rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
Two-State Solution Emphasized
Guterres warned that in the search for solutions, “we must not make the problem worse” and called for an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. “A viable, sovereign Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, is the only sustainable solution,” he said.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call to uphold international law, stressing that “preventing all forms of ethnic cleansing is essential.” He warned against any actions that would displace populations or alter the demographic structure of the Palestinian territories. “Ethnic cleansing in any form must not be tolerated, and the international community has a responsibility to ensure that fundamental human rights are protected,” Guterres added.
Stressing the importance of preserving the territorial integrity of Palestine and the reconstruction of Gaza, Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to peace, stability, and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
