Iran Demands Sanctions on Israel Amid Western Complicity in Gaza Genocide
Tehran - BORNA - Speaking on Tuesday at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, during a meeting focused on the newly released report concerning companies involved in Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, Ali Bahreini, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, welcomed the update of the High Commissioner’s database and praised the work of the Palestinian Commission of Inquiry, while emphasizing the occurrence of genocide in Gaza.
Bahreini underscored the element of “specific intent” in the destruction of a group, citing the behavior and statements of Israeli officials as clear evidence of such intent, stressing that this matter cannot be ignored from a legal standpoint.
The report, presented by Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, was prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolutions 31/36 and 53/25. It reviewed 215 priority companies out of 596 alleged cases, highlighting that the database only covers companies directly engaged in settlement-related activities—from supplying equipment and banking services to exploiting natural resources and causing environmental destruction. Al-Nashif also recalled the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which ruled Israel’s policies violate the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, calling on states to fulfill their obligations not to support Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied territories.
The Iranian envoy further stressed states’ obligations under international law to prevent and punish genocide and to refrain from aiding it, describing these obligations as jus cogens norms. He condemned Western complicity in the genocide and demanded the immediate enforcement of comprehensive sanctions against Israel.
“We will never surrender, and we will continue to raise the voice of justice against this genocide,” Bahreini declared.
Islamic and Latin American countries also voiced aligned positions at the session, strongly condemning Israel.
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