Geneva: The deputy head of the Judiciary for international affairs and secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, Nasser Seraj, has urged the International Labour Organization (ILO) to leverage its authority to protest the Israeli activities in the besieged Gaza Strip. Seraj made his appeal during a meeting with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo while attending the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Seraj highlighted the dire situation faced by Palestinian workers and employers in Gaza, stating that “almost nothing is left of Palestinian businesses” in the war-torn region. He praised the ILO for its detailed reports on the conditions of Palestinian businesses and urged the agency to use its platform to protest what he described as the ‘genocide and ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians.

Seraj also discussed the impact of international sanctions on Iran, noting that these measures heavily burden Iranian workers and employers. He described the resilience of Iranian workers, who he referred to as ‘the owners of the Islamic Revolution,’ in defending their nation despite the hardships imposed by these sanctions.

The ILO chief, Gilbert F. Houngbo, expressed concern over the situation in Gaza and outlined the organization’s efforts to support Palestinian workers and businesses. He acknowledged the role of the Iranian delegation at the ILO in advocating for the rights of Palestinian workers. Houngbo also emphasized the importance of expanding technical, advisory, and educational cooperation between Iran and the ILO, noting Iran’s status as a founding member of the organization since 1919.