United Nations warns: Turning ordinary devices into bombs violates international law

(Patria) - Turning ordinary, personal telecommunication devices into bombs and targeting thousands of Lebanese using pagers, walkie-talkies, and other electronic equipment constitutes a violation of international human rights regulations, says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Türk told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that an independent and transparent investigation must be conducted into the attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, where these devices exploded, killing 37 people and injuring more than 3,400, for which Israel is suspected.

Türk also says that the explosions not only violated international human rights law but also key principles of international humanitarian law in war, which mandate distinction between civilians and combatants, proportionality, and precautions.

- International law also prohibits the use of mines that appear harmless - he said, adding that "committing acts of violence to spread terror among civilians is a war crime".

Lebanon has blamed Israel for the attacks, which appeared to be aimed at fighters of Lebanese Hezbollah, with whom Israel is at war, but many of the victims were civilians, including children.