UN Experts Demand Investigations into War Crimes in Gaza

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coalition of United Nations experts has issued an urgent call for comprehensive and independent investigations into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In a statement released on Monday, November 27, the experts stressed the imperative need for full cooperation from Israel, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, and authorities in Gaza to support these investigative efforts.

The UN specialists outlined that there is an imperative legal duty to probe into incidents of summary or extrajudicial killings, torture, and any actions that significantly infringe on human dignity. They emphasized that such investigations are not only a fundamental legal obligation but also essential for holding those responsible accountable, particularly those in positions of command.

Legal authority

Highlighting the principles of international law, the experts reminded that such grave crimes do not have a statute of limitations and fall under universal jurisdiction. This means that courts in any country have the authority to prosecute those responsible for the crimes, irrespective of the perpetrators’ nationalities or the location where the crimes occurred.

This call to action comes in the wake of a large-scale military offensive launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip, which began after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7. The health authorities in Gaza have reported a staggering number of Palestinian casualties, with at least 14,854 deaths, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women. The official Israeli death toll has been reported at 1,200.

The UN’s appeal underscores the urgency of addressing the alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the conflict. The experts’ joint statement is a resounding call to the international community to ensure that justice is served and that such investigations are not impeded by geopolitical dynamics.

All findings should be as comprehensive and accurate as possible.

Furthermore, the experts have offered the assistance of their respective mandates and their forensic science expertise to support these investigative efforts. Their support aims to bolster the capacity and thoroughness of the investigations to ensure that all findings are as comprehensive and accurate as possible.

The explicit mention of forensic science suggests a commitment to meticulous and scientifically grounded inquiry into the incidents, which is essential for establishing a reliable chain of evidence. This approach reinforces the objective of the ICC and the Independent Commission to hold those responsible accountable in a manner consistent with international legal standards.

The UN specialists’ statement adds a robust voice to the international community’s efforts to seek accountability and justice for the actions taken in the conflict. It reflects a concerted effort to ensure that international law is upheld and that the atrocities committed do not go unpunished.

Source: Anadolu Agency.