1 of 1 UN Secretary General António Guterres. — Photo: David 'Dee' Delgado/Portal UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres. — Photo: David 'Dee' Delgado/Portal
United Nations (UN) SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres promised this Sunday (28) to hold accountable “every official involved in terrorist attacks” and appealed to UNRWA the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees.
“Any UN official involved in terrorist attacks will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” the UN chief said in a statement. “The Secretariat stands ready to work with a competent authority capable of prosecuting individuals.”
Crisis Spreads in the Middle East: Understand How Conflicts Are Interconnected
“The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many of them in the most dangerous situations of humanitarian work, should not be punished.”
Guterres provided details of the UNRWA officials involved in the “alleged heinous acts.” Of the 12 people, he said, nine had been released, one was presumed dead and the identities of the other two were being determined.
Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland joined the United States, Australia and Canada on Saturday in halting funding for the aid agency, an influential source of support for the people of Gaza.
“While I understand your concerns I was appalled by these allegations I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to at least ensure the continued operation of UNRWA,” Guterres said.