Lebanon Lodges Complaint Against Israel at UN Labour Body Over Fatal Pager Explosions
Lebanon files complaint against Israel at UN labour body over deadly pager explosions. Deadly attacks involving exploding pagers cause casualties and injuries. Complaint lodged at International Labour Organisation in Geneva.
The Lebanese government minister revealed that workers were among those who tragically lost their lives or were injured in these incidents.
The explosions, which were remotely triggered and targeted pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members in mid-September, have been widely attributed to Israel, although Israel has not officially confirmed or denied any involvement. These blasts occurred in various locations such as grocery stores, homes, and streets, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 individuals, including two children, and causing injuries to approximately 3,000 people, as reported by Lebanese authorities. The attacks have deeply unsettled even Lebanese citizens not affiliated with Hezbollah.
Apart from combatants, the detonations also impacted workers in Hezbollah's civilian establishments, including its healthcare and media sectors. Lebanese Labour Minister Moustafa Bayram, along with other officials, disclosed that he travelled to Geneva to formally submit the complaint against Israel at the International Labour Organisation, a vast UN agency that serves as a platform for governments, businesses, and workers to engage in dialogue.
In response to the alarming incidents involving exploding pagers and the devastating consequences on workers and civilians, Lebanon has taken action by filing a complaint against Israel at the United Nations' labour organisation. The attacks, which targeted Hezbollah members in mid-September, resulted in numerous casualties and injuries, sparking widespread concern and unease among the Lebanese population. The complaint was formally submitted by Lebanese Labour Minister Moustafa Bayram in Geneva at the International Labour Organisation, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Bayram expressed concerns about the implications of such warfare tactics, stating, "This method of warfare and conflicts may open the way for many who are evading international humanitarian law to adopt this method of warfare." He emphasised the dangerous precedent set by these attacks, where everyday objects become tools of destruction, posing a threat to human safety and security.
Speaking in Arabic, Bayram highlighted that ILO conventions are in place to ensure the safety of workers, who found themselves in harm's way as their pagers or walkie-talkies suddenly exploded while they were at work. He stressed the importance of condemning such actions to prevent further conflicts and protect human relationships.
While an ILO spokeswoman mentioned that she was not immediately informed about the complaint or the potential redress it could offer, the filing of the complaint signifies Lebanon's stance against the use of such tactics in warfare and its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law.
Lebanon files complaint against Israel at UN labour body over deadly pager explosions
Deadly attacks involving exploding pagers cause casualties and injuries
Complaint lodged at International Labour Organisation in Geneva
Source: AP NEWS