UN expert: Israel’s ongoing attacks on multiple sovereign states normalize the use of violence

George Katrougalos, UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of International Order, spoke at Iran’s side event titled “Human Rights Implications of 12 Days of Israeli and US Attacks on Iran” on the sidelines of the 60th annual session of the UN Human Rights Council.

At the start of his speech, Katrougalos noted that a pattern of lawlessness is emerging in the Middle East, highlighted by Israel’s repeated attacks on almost all neighboring countries as well as non-neighboring countries such as Iran, Yemen, and Qatar, with explicit or implicit support from the United States. He cited US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s opening remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where Rubio stated clearly that the post-war global order is not only obsolete but has now become a weapon against us.

The UN expert further stated that Israel’s 12-day aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes a serious violation of the UN Charter, particularly the prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. These unlawful actions violate the right to life, undermine the rule-based international order, and increase the risk of regional instability. He emphasized that Israel’s ongoing attacks on multiple sovereign states under the guise of self-defense, normalize the use of violence and send a worrying signal that power can prevail over law.

Katrougalos highlighted that the 12-day aggression also demonstrates the inseparable link between the three pillars of the United Nations—peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. Peace is a prerequisite for realizing human rights and achieving sustainable development. When diplomacy is undermined by unilateral illegal military actions, cycles of violence and lawlessness begin. These actions, in addition to causing the deaths of innocent civilians, women, and children, completely undermine multilateralism and trust in the UN system.

He noted that such actions expand distrust, weaken the rule of law, erode international norms, encourage impunity, and create conditions that make further human rights violations more likely.

Referring to his past visit to Iran, Katrougalos said that in 2018, he visited Iran as Greece’s Minister for Economic Diplomacy as part of EU efforts to mitigate US sanctions following Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA. He lamented that today, the EU has taken a completely different stance. Instead of acting as an independent and stabilizing force on the international stage, European countries are heard saying that Israel “does the dirty work” for them.

He concluded by emphasizing that such policies are unacceptable and that the UN-based international order must be defended and restored. By upholding international law, protecting sovereign equality, and promoting genuine multilateralism, the international community can resist those undermining justice and peace.