A human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, has condemned what he described as ongoing “unabated genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.”
Omirhobo has, therefore, written an official letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging the Senate to pass a resolution condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Among other things, the legal practitioner wants the Senate to consider imposing an economic sanction against Israel officials involved in the genocide and ethnic cleansing or consider a diplomatic measure to pressure them to change their politics and ethnic cleansing being carried out by Israeli on the Palestinians in Gaza and environs.
Speaking exclusively with Blueprint on Friday, the activist and lawyer further task the Senate to review Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with Israel or suspend relations until the situation in Gaza improves.
Omirhobo stated further: “The Senate should allocate funds or resources to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza by providing aid to affected civilian.
“In addition to the above, I encourage the Senate to work with international organizations, such as the United Nations, to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
“I urge you to join the rest of the world to condemn the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing going on unabated in Gaza and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and ensure justice for affected civilians.
“In conclusion, I urge the Nigerian Senate to take immediate and decisive action regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ongoing violence and human rights violations demand a strong response from Nigeria. I request that the Senate pass a resolution condemning Israel’s actions, consider sanctions or a review of diplomatic relations, and support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Together, we can promote peace, justice, and human dignity for all affected civilians.
“As a concerned citizen of Nigeria and a global human right advocate, I am compelled to draw the attention of the Nigerian Government to the appalling human rights abuses culminating in genocide and ethnic cleansing unfurling in Gaza.
“It is of great importance that the Nigerian government acknowledges the holocaust and takes a stance, as remaining silent or feigning ignorance would be unscrupulous given the graveness of the situation.
“Disgustingly and unashamedly Israeli soldiers and settlers with impunity document their crime against humanity on their phones which are being screamed to the whole world to see their reprehensibly evil acts. Armless and defenceless Palestine civilians, babies, children, women, and men are being killed and over 127,394 wounded mostly women and children. An estimated 10,000 people are trapped under rubble as a result of Israeli bombing that can only be equated with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together.
“The Israeli government is weaponizing and poisoning food. They cruelly shoot and kill, starving people queuing at food sites after luring them there, and also refuse food and relief materials to enter into Gaza. Over 1 million Palestinians face emergency levels of food insecurity, with verified reports of children dying from starvation.
“92% of home and 50% of buildings in Gaza have been intentionally and deliberately damaged or destroyed by the Israeli soldiers and settlers leaving civilians without shelter resulting in over 1.9 million Palestinians to be internally displaced persons with many forced to flee due to Israeli incessant evacuation orders. Properties belonging to displaced and fleeing Palestinians are looted by Israeli soldiers and settlers and their land confiscated.
“94% of hospitals in Gaza are severely damaged or destroyed. Almost half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are non-functional, with critical shortages of medications and medical supplies. As if this is not bad enough, the Israeli soldiers have taken delight in attacking and killing medical doctors, health workers, and aid workers in their hundreds.
“All Israel has done so far and is doing in Gaza has met with the definition of the what genocide is as per The Genocide Convention of 1948 which defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical racial, or religious group, including:
“Nigeria, as a member of the United Nations, who has demonstrated her commitment to human rights by signing and ratifying various United Nations treaties and conventions,”