UN calls for evacuation of sailors from Hormuz

 

TT-AFP 

 

Published 14:13

  

Two men in the water at Hormuz. Ships are anchored in the background. Photo: Razieh Poudat /AP/TT

The UN is calling for immediate action to evacuate and repatriate around 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

The sailors are facing “a serious humanitarian and human rights crisis” in the strait, says UN human rights chief Volker Türks through his spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo.

– The parties to the conflict should urgently work to facilitate safe passage so that stranded sailors can safely evacuate and go ashore, as well as ensure the delivery of essential supplies, Mantoo said at a press conference.

Through her, Turk is calling on states, shipowners and other relevant actors to act.

– Attacks on civilian ships are unacceptable and must end. They are protected under international humanitarian law.