Middle East: ICRC calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians amid rising tensions by International Committee of the Red Cross, agencies   25 June 2025   Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire following 12 days of exchanging intense air strikes. According to Iranian authorities, at least 606 people were killed and more than 5,300 injured since hostilities erupted on 13 June. Israeli officials reported 28 deaths and nearly 1,500 injuries.   12 June 2025   Israel launched attacks on Iran Thursday that targeted nuclear sites and military leaders, reportedly killing the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and some number of nuclear scientists.   According to the New York Times, Israeli warplanes attacked at least six sites in Iran, including the capital city of Tehran and the key nuclear facility at Natanz.   The Natanz facility “was engulfed in flames on Friday,” according to CNN and Iranian state television.   Senior Iranian military leaders, commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and leading scientists involved in the country’s nuclear program were targeted.   Israeli officials attempted to frame the attack as pre-emptive, suggesting that Iran was on the verge of creating nuclear weapons that would pose an existential threat to Israel.   Iran is planning a “decisive response,” the Reuters news service reported Iranian security sources as saying. “The armed forces will certainly respond to this attack,” Iranian spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said.   Thursday’s attacks follow lengthy negotiations between Iran and the United States that were mediated by Oman and aimed to reach agreement on the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Those negotiations appear to have stalled over the issue of Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.   Iran considers enrichment a right conferred by its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and necessary to the country’s peaceful uses of nuclear energy.   Israel has insisted that Iran have no ability to enrich uranium, because any enrichment capacity could allow Iran to covertly create nuclear weapons. The United States has wavered between support of plans that would allow Iran a very limited enrichment capacity and an insistence that the country have no enrichment capability whatsoever.   Thursday’s attacks raise the specter of full-scale war between Israel and Iran.   * The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its sixth day as both states trade waves of missile strikes. Israel's military has said its air force is continuing attacks on targets in Iranian territory. Iran has responded by launching missile barrages at Israel. The US has entered the war attacking three underground nuclear sites inside Iran - nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, were struck.   Statement from Nicolas Von Arx, Near & Middle East regional director for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in response to the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran.   “Our hearts go out to the civilians caught in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Every life lost, every family affected, is a deep tragedy.   Many civilians on both sides have been killed or injured, including members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Homes have been damaged and livelihoods have been shattered. In Iran, many families are fleeing for safety. In Israel, families are repeatedly forced into shelters in the middle of the night.   We fear that if this conflict intensifies then even more civilians will suffer and the ripple effects will spread far beyond the immediate hostilities in a region that is already seeing so much suffering.   We call for respect of international humanitarian law and urge immediate de-escalation. Decisive political action is urgently needed to stop the killing and put an end to destruction.   Our partners in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement are responding at the forefront. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) have their emergency preparedness and response teams on the ground responding to humanitarian needs. Magen David Adom (MDA) – have been providing critical assistance to those affected by the ongoing hostilities.”   13 June 2025   Middle East: ICRC calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians amid rising tensions   The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply alarmed by the latest hostilities in the Middle East and urgently calls for respect of international humanitarian law (IHL). Further escalation in a region already wracked by multiple conflicts risks sparking a broader regional crisis with devastating consequences for all communities, exacerbating existing humanitarian emergencies and displacing more people both within their countries and beyond.   Civilians in the Middle East have borne the brunt of repeated crises for decades. What they need most is a respite from armed violence. It is imperative for all actors to prioritize de-escalation and the preservation of human life and dignity. The ICRC urges all parties involved to adhere to IHL, taking constant care to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects.   Beyond legal obligations, decisive political action is needed to scale back hostilities that will lead to further suffering and destruction. Urgent diplomatic steps must be taken to bring back stability and safeguard lives.   In all conflict-affected areas, we continue engaging with parties to remind them of their obligations under IHL to ensure civilians, medical personnel, and civilian objects, including essential services are protected.   The time to act is now—to prevent further suffering and uphold the fundamental principles of humanity.   http://reliefweb.int/report/iran-islamic-republic/mena-regional-escalation-flash-update-1-ocha-regional-office-middle-east-and-north-africa-17-june-2025 http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/06/israel-iran-turk-calls-restraint-and-respect-international-humanitarian-law http://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-21/statement-the-secretary-general-iran http://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164731 http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/icrc-statement-escalations-hostilities-middle-east http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-russell-children-killed-alarming http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-ad-interim-representative-iran-monika-oledzka-nielsen-impact http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/middle-east-icrc-calls-de-escalation-protection-civilians-rising-tensions
	New NATO defence commitments must not come at cost of human rights by Agnes Callamard Secretary General of Amnesty International   23 June 2025   As NATO states meet in the Hague this week, they face tough decisions that will impact the lives of millions, or even billions, around the world. If, as widely expected, they commit to increased defence spending in response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, they must ensure this is allied with strong commitments and actual measures to enhance protection of human rights and international humanitarian law.   Given the gravity of the crises engulfing the world and the need to seize every opportunity to demand that human rights protection be central to all responses, I will be representing Amnesty International at the NATO Public Forum that runs parallel to the summit, in which leaders and officials will engage with security experts, academics, journalists and NGOs.   Upon launching Amnesty’s annual report a few weeks ago, I declared it the strongest warning the organization has ever issued. There are more conflicts raging today than at any time since World War Two, inequality is rampant – both within and between states – and states are hurtling into an unchecked arms race, in the first place artificial intelligence-powered. Without concerted and comprehensive action from governments, this historic juncture will mutate into historic devastation.   When NATO leaders sit down to discuss such challenges, they must carefully consider their responsibility to humanity.   Progressive taxation, no austerity measures, to fund increased defence budget   The Trump administration is pressuring its NATO allies to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP – more than double the existing target of 2%. This would likely consist of 3.5% directly on military expenditure and another 1.5% on civil defence, cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure. Any such increases must not be paid for by cutting vital funds needed to guarantee and protect essential public services or humanitarian aid and development assistance.   Instead of pulling the rug from under the feet of those most in need of support, states should raise the requisite funds by introducing more progressive domestic taxation measures for the wealthiest and supporting global tax reform to ensure those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share.   NATO leaders should also state loudly and powerfully that people do not have to choose between security and the protection of social, economic and political rights. This is a false dichotomy. Security and rights go hand in hand.   Galvanise commitment to international law   Respect for international humanitarian law is in deep crisis with many governments either claiming that the principles and rules of international humanitarian law do not apply to them or rewriting the rules to allow conducts that should not be permissible. Israel’s ongoing horrendous conflict in Gaza is compounded by the failures of its main allies to stop transferring weapons or condemn war crimes and the indescribable civilian bloodshed. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine resulted in more Ukrainian civilians killed in 2024 than it did the previous year.   NATO leaders must not only reiterate their commitment to uphold international law and demand that their allies respect the laws of war. The summit should result in a set of concrete measures to ensure that international humanitarian law is respected.   NATO leaders should halt weapons transfers where they are likely to result in violations of international law, such as Israel and Sudan, for example. Increased military production is no excuse for states to transfer arms to countries where they pose a substantial risk of being used to commit or facilitate war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.   Protect international treaties   The trend towards remilitarization has seen states withdraw from vital treaties protecting civilians. Lithuania’s unprecedented withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions took effect in March 2025 and its parliament voted in May to also withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a landmark treaty prohibiting the use of anti-personnel mines. Finland announced its withdrawal from the latter treaty in April, while Estonia and Latvia’s parliaments also voted to pull out in recent weeks. Poland’s Minister of Defence has recommended doing the same. The USA, which is not a signatory to either convention, has further undermined prohibition efforts, with the Biden administration transferring cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines to Ukraine last year.   NATO leaders must reiterate their commitment to these treaties, which are vital to protecting civilians in armed conflicts, and call on their allies to reconsider their withdrawals.   Regulate development of autonomous weapon systems   Remilitarization is also driving ever-greater use of artificial intelligence in the military domain and will likely accelerate the development of autonomous weapons systems, potentially nullifying years of efforts towards their regulation.   This arms race highlights the imperative to move on from endless debates around autonomous weapons systems and take immediate action to actually prevent us from sleepwalking into oblivion. NATO governments must adopt a clear collective position in favour of a global, legally binding treaty to regulate the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems, including banning those that directly target and attack humans – a line we cannot cross, for myriad legal and ethical reasons.   Reaffirm respect for rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly   Over the last year, Amnesty has documented a globalized intensification of authoritarian practices and a vicious clampdown on dissent, particularly in relation to conflicts and violations of international law. Governments across the world banned media outlets, disbanded or suspended NGOs and political parties, and imprisoned critics.   The world over, Amnesty has documented the criminalization and punishment of freedom of expression and peaceful protests, including through use of “terrorism” or “extremism” legislation.   The protection of universal values and human rights must be at the heart of the NATO vision and actions. This is how its founders envisioned the alliance when they reaffirmed in its treaty “their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”. This protection is what all citizens may expect it to deliver.   NATO leaders must recognize the critical role played by civil society, human rights defenders and independent media in protecting human rights and ensuring accountability and respect for rule of law – all necessary elements for preserving peace and security.   They must commit to allowing peaceful protests and guaranteeing the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as stopping the oppression of NGOs and recognizing their essential role in society. Governments must also protect human rights defenders and journalists from attacks, end any state-sponsored violence against them, and refrain from harassing or censoring independent media.   These are the basic steps states must take to ensure the preservation of peace and security at home and globally. Anything less and NATO leaders will be paving the way for future crises. They cannot achieve genuine and lasting security without robust human rights guarantees.   * NATO’s leaders agreed to invest 5 percent of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) on “core defence requirements as well as defence and security-related spending by 2035”. The 5 percent headline includes 1.5 percent spent on military-related infrastructure, which could be broadly defined to include civilian expenditure. Last year, NATO spent $1.5 trillion on the military – more than half of global military spending. If members comply with the core 3.5 percent target by 2030, that would mean a total of $13.4 trillion in military expenditure.   The money will be diverted – most of all from social spending - public services, like health, and education, social welfare supports – even as 30 percent of Europeans report difficulty in making ends meet, with global humaitarian needs ever increasing while humanitarian aid funding is slashed and climate scientists warn that we have only two years left to keep temperature increases below the international target of 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit).   Social and environmental spending is already on the chopping block. In February, the United Kingdom announced it would reduce its aid budget to 0.3 percent of GDP to pay for military spending increases – a year after it won an election committing to increase foreign aid. Belgium, the Netherlands and France followed suit, announcing aid cuts of 25 to 37 percent. The United States, under Trump, has decimated its overseas aid and climate programmes and reduced healthcare funding while proposing a record $1 trillion expenditure on the Pentagon.   http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/06/new-nato-defence-commitments-must-not-come-at-cost-of-human-rights/ Visit the related web page
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