UN High Commissioner for Human Rights voices concern over risk of wider conflict in Middle East

GENEVA: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk said he is deeply worried about the rising risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and plead with all parties, along with those states with influence, to act urgently to de-escalate what has become a very precarious situation. ''Human rights - first and foremost the protection of civilians - must be the top priority,'' said Turk in a statement issued here on Monday. ''Already, over the past 10 months, civilians - mostly women and children - have endured unbearable pain and suffering as result of the bombs and guns,'' he added. ''Everything, and I mean everything, must be done to avoid this situation spiralling further into an abyss that will only have even more terrible consequences for civilians.'' Source : Emirates News Agency