Geneva, 20 June 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Independent UN human rights experts have warned companies against continuing to supply weapons and ammunition to Israel because they could be committing human rights violations, including crimes against humanity.

They named more than 30 companies and investors, including the German companies Rheinmetall and ThyssenKrupp.

"These companies, by sending weapons, parts, components, and ammunition to Israeli forces, risk being complicit in serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian laws," the experts said.

They referred to the International Court of Justice's call on Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah and the request for arrest warrants against members of the Israeli government by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Further arms supplies to Israel could be seen as knowingly supporting operations that violate international human rights and humanitarian law, the experts wrote.

The more than 30 experts have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to advise the Council on various issues, including discrimination against women and girls, the rights of displaced persons and the right to health. They work independently of the United Nations and are not paid for their work.

Photo: MIA archive