UN Rapporteur Calls for Protection of Healthcare Workers in Palestine

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health Tlaleng Mofokeng called for the protection of healthcare workers in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territory. "On the cusp of the one-year anniversary of the genocide, I continue to be shocked at Israel's blatant disregard for the right to health in Gaza and the rest of the occupied territory," Mofokeng said. "Israel must stop destroying and hindering the already limited functioning of the health system in Palestine, by protecting healthcare workers," she said. "The practice of medicine is never a crime during conflict but targeted killing of healthcare workers is," She added. "Israel must stop." The Special Rapporteur said the targeting of healthcare workers and healthcare facilities contravenes the fundamental right of individuals to access essential healthcare services, a matter of acute significance during times of conflict, and may constitute a war crime. Mofokeng demanded the immediate release of all healthcare workers arbitrarily detained in occupation and the occupied Palestinian territory, and urgent, independent and impartial investigations, and accountability for those who have unlawfully detained and killed them. "A people's inability to fully exercise their right to self-determination impacts the enjoyment of all their fundamental rights, including the right to health," Mofokeng said. "Immediately ceasefire. End the occupation. End the genocide," she said. Source: Oman News Agency