WJC arranged a meeting between ten families of female captives of Hamas in Gaza with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in Geneva on Wednesday. During the 1-hour long meeting with the High Commissioner, the families shared the stories of their loved ones and asked that he use all of his influence to set the hostages free. The High Commissioner reiterated that hostage taking is a war crime, and he raises the issue with all government officials who can positively impact the situation.
During their visit in Geneva, the families also met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Director-General of the World Health Organization, and they briefed Ambassadors to the United Nations, the international press as well as members of the Jewish community.
This is the third time WJC has organized a meeting between families of hostages taken by Hamas with representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In October and November 2023, several relatives of those who were kidnapped met with representatives from the United Nations Human Rights, including High Commissioner Türk and other high-level officials.
Since the October 7th terrorist attack, the World Jewish Congress has been leading efforts to ensure that the international community unequivocally condemns Hamas, reaffirms Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense (Article 51 of the UN Charter), and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Jewish communities worldwide are working with the World Jewish Congress to ensure that their respective governments, multilateral organizations, and humanitarian agencies are engaging in focused diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas.
