United Nations Radio

Special envoy for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy calls on all parties to commit to an immediate ceasefire.

Radhika Coomaraswamy

Though she condemns the continuous indiscriminate rocket fire into Israel, she deplores the Israeli offensive in Gaza that has resulted in so many civilian casualties, many of whom are children.
Coomaraswamy says "the use of disproportionate force is not a solution".
She says "the situation in Gaza is unbearable for the civilian population and especially for children.
She says they are trapped within the conflict and deprived of their fundamental human rights. Children are victims of the bombings and traumatized by the escalation of violence.
The special envoy says the access to humanitarian aid, basic services, education, and medical assistance is severely hampered."
Ms. Coomaraswamy urges all parties to the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and to respect the separation of combatants from civilians as well as the rule of proportionality in the use of force.
She says "both these fundamental cornerstones of the law have been developed over the centuries for the protection of women and children.
She states "it is crucial that all parties to the conflict adhere by these principles."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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