Civil Rights Defenders calls for accountability and protection in Gaza
Civil Rights Defenders is gravely alarmed by the escalating human rights violations in Gaza. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with extensive civilian suffering and destruction. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire and respect for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728 (2024). International legal order must be upheld without exception.
The humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza is deeply alarming. The UN, as well as global humanitarian and human rights organisations, continue to report serious violations of international law by the Israeli authorities, including forced displacements, starvation as an act of war, killings of civilians trying to access food aid, killings of journalists and media workers and bombardments of hospitals and education centres.
All parties in an armed conflict are legally bound to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and perpetrators must be held accountable for violations. Civilians must not be targeted, and collective punishment of civilians is explicitly prohibited under international law. All possible measures must be taken to protect civilians and their rights, including ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.
Justice for violations of international law must be pursued through independent and impartial mechanisms. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are central to these efforts.
The investigation conducted by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor is central to determining accountability for crimes committed by representatives of the State of Israel and Palestinian non-state actors. In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. (The warrant for al-Masri was subsequently cancelled upon confirmation of his death.)
The ICJ is also dealing with cases concerning the situation in Gaza and has taken action in a case filed by South Africa. These actions by the courts underscore the importance of international accountability mechanisms in upholding the rule of law, combating impunity, and deterring future violations. It is of utmost importance that states respect and support these legal proceedings.
Civil Rights Defenders strongly condemns political efforts to influence and undermine the ICC’s work and mandate. On 6 February 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC, specifically targeting the prosecutor of the ICC. On 20 August 2025, the US Government imposed additional sanctions targeting four more ICC officials in response to the court’s actions. Such measures threaten and impede the integrity of international justice and the rule of law.
Human rights defenders against impunity
Civil Rights Defenders works to hold perpetrators of core international crimes accountable and to achieve justice for victims of such crimes.
Recently, through our work in the Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI) consortium, we have established cooperation with organisations active in the region. The GIAI consortium brings together nine international human rights organisations committed to combating impunity for core international crimes and serious human rights violations.
Civil Rights Defenders leads efforts to provide support and capacity-building to local actors, including documentation, legal work, and strategic advocacy. Through this collaboration, we support human rights organisations operating in Gaza and contribute to accountability for crimes committed in the region.
Violations of international humanitarian and human rights law must be met with principled responses that uphold justice, reinforce the rule of law, and ensure that perpetrators are held responsible through fair and independent processes.
We call on states, international institutions, and responsible parties to take immediate and concrete steps to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, and to ensure accountability for all violations. The protection of civilians cannot wait—international law must be respected and enforced now.
Civil Rights Defenders therefore urges states and responsible parties to:
- Secure an immediate ceasefire
- Guarantee the urgent protection of civilians
- Ensure accountability for all perpetrators of violations
- Safeguard and fully respect the independence and mandate of the ICC
