Top UN official in New York resigns citing ‘text-book case of genocide’ in Gaza

SHAH ALAM - Director of the New York Office of United Nations (UN) High Commissioner of Human Rights Craig Mokhiber has resigned in protest, citing the organisation's failure to prevent the genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by the Israeli regime.

In his resignation letter, Mokhiber alleged that the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and several major European powers were complicit in the horrific attacks.

Mokhiber submitted his letter of resignation on Oct 28 to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in Geneva, making it his final communication as a senior UN official in New York.

Mokhiber said the UN appeared powerless to stop the genocide which took place.

"Previously, the UN failed to prevent the genocide in Tutsi in Rwanda, Muslims in Bosnia, Yazidis in Kurdistan Iraq and Rohingyas in Myanmar.

"The genocide we are witnessing in Palestine is the product of decades of Israeli impunity... and this was solely based on their status as an Arab," he said.

He added that the US, UK and most European countries not only refused to comply with their obligations under the Geneva Convention but also strengthened Israel's attacks and provide diplomatic and political protection.

In his resignation letter, Mokhiber called for an end to Israeli injustices and expressed support for the establishment of a single secular democratic state throughout all of Palestine with equal rights granted to Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Mokhiber has been working for the UN since 1992, serving in several influential positions.

He has led the work of the high commissioner in developing human rights-based development approaches and has acted as a senior human rights adviser in Palestine, Afghanistan and Sudan.

In his role as the director of the human rights high commissioner's office in New York, he has faced attacks from pro-Israel groups for his comments on social media.

He has also been criticised for expressing support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and accusing Israel of practising apartheid, allegations he reiterated in his retirement letter.