UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, opens new call for submission of evidence

GENEVA (11 November 2022) – The independent UN International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestine Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, has invited individuals, groups, and organisations to submit reports, photographic documentation, video footage and other information or evidence that is relevant for the Commission’s investigation into the facts and circumstances regarding specific alleged violations and abuses of the rights to freedom of expression and association, along with related international crimes. 

 

The Commission of Inquiry was established in May 2021 via Human Rights Council Resolution S-30/1 to “urgently establish an ongoing, independent, international commission of inquiry…to investigate, in the [OPT], including East Jerusalem, and in Israel all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and…of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021, and all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression based on national, ethnic, racial or religious identity”. 

 

The Commission has stated it “encourages submissions on incidents committed by all duty bearers”, and in particular welcomes information concerning the identity of individuals, institutions, security or military units, and armed groups responsible for any such violations or abuses. 

 

The Commission has also encouraged information and views on efforts to ensure accountability for such incidents, as well as targeted recommendations to ‘duty bearers’ to increase human rights protections and the promotion of accountability. 

Submissions can be made in English, Arabic, and Hebrew in a variety of different formats.  

They Commission has stated it would particularly welcome information and evidence concerning the facts and circumstances on the following matters: 

• The targeting of human rights defenders, activists, politicians, academics, journalists, and persons participating in peaceful demonstrations; 
• Specific incidents targeting women human rights defenders, demonstrators and activists; 
• Specific incidents involving children. 

The Commission have advised for submissions to be sent by no later than 31 December 2022.  

Full further details regarding the Commission’s call for submission of evidence, and details of how to make a submission to the Commission, can be found here.