The assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tahran where he went for the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian who won the presidential elections in Iran was announced through the official sources by Iranian officials. The declarations made by Israeli officials starting with the Israel Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu once again show Israel's unwillingness to establish peace in the region and its intent of genocide targeting Palestinians.

The asymmetrical war Israel has been conducting since 7 October 2023 in violation of the norms of international law and humanitarian law is already destroying the right to life of millions of innocent civilians. While the war crimes and genocidal acts of Israel damage the conscience of the world public opinion, this assassination, which was carried out in violation of the borders of a sovereign state, deepens the human rights crises in the region and paves the way for new conflicts. This assassination which further aggravates the already-fragile peace process threatens international peace and security.

The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice dated 19 July 2024 clearly shows that Israel's presence in Palestinian territory is unlawful and Israel has to end these unlawful acts immediately. However, the Israeli government continues to slaughter innocent civilians contrary to the norms of international law regardless of them being women, children, or elderly. The assassination in question, shows that Israel under the leadership of Netanyahu has no intention to cease the attacks as a state policy, on the contrary, aims to further the terrorizing attacks in the region on the 299th day of the acts constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity, when number of people who lost their lives in the regions targeted by Israel has reached 39,618 and the number of people injured has reached 91,223 (1)

Assassination clearly constitutes a contradiction to human rights, fundamental principles of international law and the rule of law, which is the guarantee of interstate relations. Within this context, all international institutions and organizations, starting with the United Nations member states, must take urgent and effective steps to protect human rights, regional peace and security. Advocating for human rights, human dignity and the rule of international law has become a global responsibility to end this tragedy.

As Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, we once again harshly condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and invite all actors of the international community to assume more effective and coordinated role to ensure regional peace and security and the protection of human rights within the framework of international human rights norms.

Respectfully announced to the public.