TEHRAN – Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy foreign minister of Iran for political affairs, has said the legitimacy of international human rights is dependent on stopping merciless killings in the Gaza Strip.

Bagheri made the remarks in a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in Geneva ate Wednesday where they discussed the deplorable situation of Gaza, the systematic and targeted violation of human rights there, the need to make efforts to end war crimes and massacre against the Palestinians, according to the Iranian foreign ministry.

In the meeting, the Iranian deputy foreign minister voiced grave concern over the relentless massacre of people in Gaza and the killing of innocent women and children by the Zionist regime as well as the role of the United States and several other Western countries in supporting the perpetuation of crimes in Gaza, asking the UN high commissioner for refugees, as the highest international authority on human rights, to make effective attempts to stop the killing of innocent people and continued systematic violation of Palestinian people’s rights by the Zionist regime.

He said the Israeli regime’s claim of legitimate defense is not acceptable in international law, adding international regulations provide no legitimacy for an occupier to defend itself against the people under its occupation.

Bagheri then touched upon the occupying Zionists’ inhumane behavior in destroying Gaza, adding, “Today, the world is grieving over different types of crimes being committed by savage Zionists in Gaza, and the Zionists have practically turned into unrivaled record-holders in terms of the diversity of crimes and merciless killings.”

“International law provides no legitimacy for an occupier to defend itself against the people under its occupation.”

“In addition to killing the people of Gaza, the Zionist regime is at the forefront of destroying all international laws and regulations; so, international institutions, especially the mechanisms which are part of the United Nations, have even a heavier responsibility toward the crimes and acts of aggression committed by this ruthless regime.”

The top Iranian diplomat noted that international human rights mechanisms, including the UN high commissioner for human rights, should act as a yardstick to assess the human rights situation in the world, adding, “The extent and diversity of the crimes committed by the occupiers in Gaza are so huge that the legitimacy of international human rights mechanism will be accepted only if they take practical action to stop the killings in Gaza.”

Putting an end to the killing of innocent people is a human responsibility and an undeniable necessity to stem the spread of the crisis, Bagheri underlined. “Iran has focused all its efforts to put an unconditional end to the killing of people in Gaza, sending in humanitarian aid immediately, lifting the blockade on Gaza and preventing the forced migration of Palestinians to and from Gaza, and accordingly, is ready to engage with international organizations, namely the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, to meet these humanitarian demands,” he said.

Bagheri referred to the role and status of the high commissioner for human rights, calling on the UN official to travel to Gaza to help put an immediate end to the killing of innocent Palestinian people and prevent any further violations of human rights.

The UN high commissioner for human rights, in turn, touched upon the numerous statements he has issued in recent weeks, saying he was gravely concerned about the current situation.

In recent years, he added, his office has played a key role in preparing reports and shedding light on violations in occupied territories.

He also said a number of the staff members of his office are dicing with death in Gaza.

The UN high commissioner for refugees underscored that he had, in his recent speech at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, touched upon recommendations by human rights mechanisms to stop breaches of human rights in the occupied territories and called for an end to the occupation.

The UN high commissioner for human rights dismissed crimes by the Zionist regime as unacceptable, adding they violate human and international rights.

The UN official also expressed misgivings over the regional effects of the recent developments in Gaza. Türk added he was in contact with all sides in order to end the strikes and put in place a ceasefire, adding he plans to travel to the region.