Guterres warns “Israel” it may be put on sexual violence blacklist

WORLD, Aug. 13 (YPA) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a warning to the Israeli occupation state regarding what he described as ‘credible information’ that Israeli occupation forces have allegedly committed sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners.

In his letter to Ambassador Danny Danon, Guterres said he was “gravely concerned” about reports of violations against Palestinians by the Israeli military and security forces in several prisons, a detention centre and a military base.

He said “Israel” could be listed as abusers in his next report on sexual violence in conflict “due to significant concerns of patterns of certain forms of sexual violence that have been consistently documented by the United Nations”.

“Cases documented by the United Nations indicate patterns of sexual violence such as genital violence, prolonged forced nudity and repeated strip searches conducted in an abusive and degrading manner,” Guterres said.

On the other hand, Danon dismissed the concerns as baseless accusations.

“The UN must focus on the shocking war crimes and sexual violence of Hamas and the release of all hostages. Israel will not shy away from protecting its citizens and will continue to act in accordance with international law,” he  said.

@E.Y.M