DUBLIN, Ireland — A veteran human rights advocate has resigned from his influential post at a major European organization, citing its inaction regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a key reason for his departure. Michael Farrell, who dedicated 14 years to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), expressed deep disappointment over the body’s reluctance to address what he considers an urgent and critical issue.
Farrell argued that ignoring the situation in Gaza undermines the organization’s integrity and respect on other human rights matters. “You cannot work in an organization committed to human rights and turn a blind eye to what is happening in Gaza,” he said, labeling the ongoing violence a form of genocide.
ECRI operates as an independent monitoring body under the Council of Europe, which is separate from the European Union. Farrell submitted his resignation following a plenary meeting where a motion he proposed — a recommendation urging Israel to cease military actions and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza — was rejected. He described the draft as “very, very moderate,” reflecting the necessity of intervening international organizations in the crisis.
The proposed recommendation also called for Hamas to release hostages and for the situation to be addressed communally by the international community. During discussions that stretched over two days, Farrell felt the commission was unresponsive to his efforts. “The argument from the leadership was that this was outside our mandate,” he noted. Farrell does not accept this reasoning, pointing out that numerous European countries are involved in the conflict through military support.
The ECRI secretariat clarified that its focus is on monitoring state actions against racism and intolerance within Europe, stating that issues outside this mandate, such as those in the Middle East, are not part of its purview. However, Farrell maintains that the organization’s engagement is necessary given the involvement of European countries in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Since his resignation, Farrell has received supportive feedback from a few other ECRI representatives but acknowledged that fear of losing their positions has prevented many from voicing similar concerns. He pointed out that some individuals work for organizations funded by their respective governments and worry that speaking out might jeopardize their funding.
Farrell’s legal career is notable; he was the first Irish lawyer to represent a client before the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the European Courts of Human Rights. Furthermore, he has championed significant causes, including advocating for Dr. Lydia Foy’s campaign for legal recognition of gender identity in Ireland.
The conflict in Gaza has escalated sharply since Hamas’s recent attack in which over 1,200 Israelis died and 251 were taken hostage. In retaliation, the ongoing military operations have resulted in the loss of more than 60,000 Palestinian lives. The situation has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the United Nations General Assembly, which criticized the use of starvation as a tactic in warfare and highlighted the controlled distribution of aid by Israel.
Farrell firmly believes that if organizations like ECRI neglect pressing issues such as the one in Gaza, they will not only fail their mission but also erode their credibility in upholding human rights universally.
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