Press Release
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The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development praises and expresses solidarity with the statements of Mr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, who stressed that the UN Security Council resolution (2016) that condemns attacks against medical facilities and workers in conflicts has been ignored. He called for ending impunity for those responsible for such violations and respect for International Law by all warring parties.
The Special Rapporteur confirmed that the International Community has achieved little progress in implementing this resolution and ending impunity for such attacks. Moreover, victims, including the families of brave health workers who died in the line of duty, are still waiting for justice and reparation, despite the passage of (8) years since the decision.
He pointed out there were about (25) attacks on health facilities in (2022), and as of March (2023), more than (12.2) million people are in urgent need of health care. Moreover, between (7) October (2023) and (3) May (2024), according to reports, about (492) Palestinian health workers were killed in Gaza, and (80%) of primary health care centers are not functioning.
In this context, the Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights expresses its deep concern about attacks on medical facilities and staff during armed conflicts and their consequences, as their rights are protected under International Humanitarian Law. Such attacks lead to the disruption of vital healthcare services, besides their affection for the population’s health in the long term.
The Egyptian Coalition calls on the International Community to exert every effort to investigate and condemn the attacks on healthcare workers and medical facilities and transports as violations of International Law, especially International Humanitarian Law, besides respecting healthcare personnel, health facilities, and medical transports in all circumstances, particularly during armed conflicts or other emergencies, and allow patients to receive appropriate care regardless their affiliations.
