The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has made the following statement regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza:
"The conflict in Gaza has reached disastrous proportions and continues to cause immense human suffering. While my mandate does not cover the situation in the region, I have engaged with Council of Europe member states regarding their obligations in the context of the international arms trade, to help ensure that their actions do not contribute to human rights violations.
I note steps by some member states to suspend or restrict arms transfers to Israel, including Germany last week. I also note the significant contributions of some national human rights structures in raising awareness and urging their respective governments to uphold their human rights obligations in this context. However, more needs to be done, and quickly.
I reiterate my call on member states to do their utmost to prevent and address violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the context of the conflict in Gaza. This includes applying existing legal standards to ensure that arms transfers are not authorised where there is a risk that they may be used to commit human rights violations.
It is also essential to intensify efforts to provide relief to those affected by the conflict, by supporting efforts to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and by pressing for the immediate release of hostages.
I will continue to engage with member states to support a response to the conflict in Gaza that complies with human rights."
