This week, civilians suffer in Israel-Iran conflict as UN calls for diplomacy, tensions continue amidst Thai-Cambodian border dispute after meeting, UN accuses M23 and Congolese troops of possible war crimes.
Civilians Suffer in Israel-Iran Conflict, UN Calls for Diplomacy
Civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict between Israel and Iran. On June 19, international media reported that, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists, Israel’s strikes on Iran had killed 639 people. The group says it identified 263 civilians and 154 security force personnel killed. Meanwhile, Israel reports 24 people killed.
On June 18, UN human rights deputy chief Nada Al-Nashif said the UN human rights office urged de-escalation and “urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward.” Al-Nashif added that “It is imperative that both sides fully respect international law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians in densely populated areas and of civilian objects.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is in the midst of deciding whether the US will get involved in the conflict. CNN reported on June 18 that a situation room meeting called by Trump had just ended, and that Trump had said earlier that his patience “has already run out” with Tehran. Trump has since said that he will make a decision on whether or not to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities within two weeks.
After Meeting, Tensions continue Amidst Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute
Border tensions are continuing between Thailand and Cambodia following the killing of a Cambodian soldier by Thai soldiers on the border on May 28. After their two-day meeting of their Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in Phnom Penh on June 14 and 15, the two countries emerged with no conclusions on the dispute.
Since then, more tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have ensued. Cambodia has banned fruit and vegetable imports from Thailand, along with banning Thai films from television and cinemas. Thailand has limited border crossing times, and has barred Thai casino tourists and workers from entering Cambodia.
In order to resolve the dispute, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered the establishment of the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM), which held its first meeting on June 17. Thai Deputy Defence Minister General Natthapon Nakpanich confirmed that the center should be open for no longer than a month, and that “we will work swiftly to resolve the situation.”
Thailand said the clash on May 28 occurred when its soldiers were trying to negotiate with Cambodian troops to move away from a contested area, however, “Cambodian forces misunderstood the situation and started using weapons, so Thai forces retaliated,” said Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree. The incident took place between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated in 2008 over a Hindu temple, paving the way for more violence over many years.
UN Accuses M23 and Congolese Troops of Possible War Crimes
On June 16, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in Geneva that the M23 armed group, Congolese troops, and allied militias had all committed human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with some abuses possibly amounting to war crimes.This was according to OHCHR’s Fact-Finding Mission in the region, which is continuing to investigate other violations of international humanitarian law.
The UN human rights office reported that the M23 rebels arbitrarily arrested police officers and many civilians, including children, after they took over cities and villages earlier this year. Witnesses said the M23 was still holding many of those captured in “inhumane conditions,” and forcibly recruiting them. The mission is also investigating alleged arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of suspected M23 supporters by the military intelligence arm of the DRC armed forces.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that M23 carried out summary and extrajudicial executions which likely amount to war crimes. There have also been reports of death threats, detention and other retaliations against human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members viewed as critical of the M23. This includes the killings of at least two activists. At the same time, the mission is investigating alleged summary executions by members of the DRC armed forces and DRC-backed Wazalendo militias.
The mission received reports of “horrific” sexual violence by all parties as reprisal against communities and relatives of rivals, as well as different ethnic groups. Almost 40 percent of survivors of gender-based and sexual violence in North and South Kivu are children, with UNICEF estimating that during the most intense phase of the conflict, a child was raped every 30 minutes.
Turk called on all parties to come to a ceasefire, resume negotiations, and respect international humanitarian and human rights law.
This development comes after, earlier this week, Head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita met with M23, and said the group showed a willingness to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in Eastern DRC. It remains to be seen whether peace will emerge, and whether those who have committed abuses will be held accountable.
Keywords: Iran, Israel, Thailand, Cambodia, DRC, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Goma, war, conflict, conflict resolution, peace
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is Peace News Network (PNN)'s managing editor. She is journalist based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and formerly in Bangkok, Thailand. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
