OHCHR / TURK MIDDLE EAST CIVILIANS

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk said, “the human cost of the reckless war in the Middle East is alarming,” adding “hostilities are being waged without regard to the immediate and long-term consequences for civilians across the entire region and beyond.” OHCHR

• Video Length: 00:02:48
• Production Date: 19 March 2026
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - OHCHR
• Subject Topical: CIVILIAN PROTECTION
• Geographic Subject: MIDDLE EAST
• MAMS Id: 3546579
• Parent Id: 3546579
• Alternate Title: unifeed260319l

Description

STORY OHCHR / TURK MIDDLE EAST CIVILIANS
TRT: 02:43
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 19 MARCH 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

FILE – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, Palais Wilson

19 MARCH 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN Human Rights High Commissioner:
“The human cost of the reckless war in the Middle East is alarming. Hostilities are being waged without regard to the immediate and long-term consequences for civilians across the entire region and beyond. The targeting of major energy installations is now reaching a dangerous phase, amidst threats of further escalation. Disastrous humanitarian, economic and environmental consequences will be triggered if such attacks continue, resulting in deep harm to civilians – potentially for years to come. To pull the region back from the brink and prevent the further loss of civilian life and destruction of vital public infrastructure, renewed diplomatic efforts are critical and urgently needed. Attacks targeting civilian objects or infrastructure indispensable to the civilian population constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.
I also deplore the impact of the sustained Iranian strikes against States in the region. Strikes on Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have kept the region on high alert, instilling fear and anxiety. Foreign nationals, including migrant workers from South Asia, are among those killed, including from falling debris and shrapnel. With many residing or working near strategic infrastructure, they face heightened risks of exposure. And as the war escalates, the domestic situation in Iran continues to worsen with reports of continued repression, executions, and waves of arrest by the authorities, amidst continued internet shutdowns. The ugly reality of war is not a carte blanche to violate human rights. In several countries across the region, civic space has been restricted and arrests have been made on charges related to alleged espionage, treason, or sharing content related to the hostilities. Many across the region and beyond will be observing Eid al-Fitr this weekend in circumstances of hardship, uncertainty, and fear. I extend my warmest Eid wishes to all those who observe it, and my heartfelt solidarity to all those enduring the hardships of conflict and instability.”

FILE – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

3. Wide shot, Palais Wilson

Storyline

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk on Thursday (19 Mar) made the following remarks on the current situation in the Middle East.

He said, “the human cost of the reckless war in the Middle East is alarming. Hostilities are being waged without regard to the immediate and long-term consequences for civilians across the entire region and beyond.”

The human rights chief continued, “the targeting of major energy installations is now reaching a dangerous phase, amidst threats of further escalation. Disastrous humanitarian, economic and environmental consequences will be triggered if such attacks continue, resulting in deep harm to civilians – potentially for years to come.”

“To pull the region back from the brink and prevent the further loss of civilian life and destruction of vital public infrastructure, renewed diplomatic efforts are critical and urgently needed,” Türk said.

He also said, “attacks targeting civilian objects or infrastructure indispensable to the civilian population constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.”

Türk added, “I also deplore the impact of the sustained Iranian strikes against States in the region. Strikes on Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have kept the region on high alert, instilling fear and anxiety.”

He said, “Foreign nationals, including migrant workers from South Asia, are among those killed, including from falling debris and shrapnel. With many residing or working near strategic infrastructure, they face heightened risks of exposure.”

The human rights chief said, “as the war escalates, the domestic situation in Iran continues to worsen with reports of continued repression, executions, and waves of arrest by the authorities, amidst continued internet shutdowns.”

“The ugly reality of war is not a carte blanche to violate human rights,” Türk said.

He continued, “in several countries across the region, civic space has been restricted and arrests have been made on charges related to alleged espionage, treason, or sharing content related to the hostilities.”

Türk concluded, “many across the region and beyond will be observing Eid al-Fitr this weekend in circumstances of hardship, uncertainty, and fear. I extend my warmest Eid wishes to all those who observe it, and my heartfelt solidarity to all those enduring the hardships of conflict and instability.”