UNHRC to Form ‘Commission’ to Unravel Israel-Palestine Conflict

Amid the Israel-Palestine conflict, United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution to form an independent international commission to probe into all alleged violations of international humanitarian law by Israel.

Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque and launched airstrikes on Gaza and West Bank, killing some 285 Palestinians in a conflict that lasted 11 days.

Considering the situation, the Pakistani representative to UN in Geneva, Khalil Hashmi, requested UNHRC on May 19 to convene a special session to discuss the human rights violations in occupied Palestinian territories.

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Fulfilling the request of the ambassador, UNHRC convened a special session which adopted a resolution to form an independent international commission to look deeply into the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“The resolution will ensure the applicability of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention related to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”, the session discussed.

UNHRC took to its Twitter handle to share obligations of the commission.

HRC just adopted resolution establishing ongoing commission of inquiry to investigate alleged #HumanRights violations & abuses in Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, & in Israel, up to & since 13 April 2021. See as adopted text https://t.co/RDRe0JZ6UT #SS30 pic.twitter.com/qSYM9obWxj

— UN Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) May 27, 2021

The Council officials said, “The commission of inquiry shall establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and abuses and of the crimes perpetrated”.

Moreover, all information, documentation, and evidence including interviews, witnesses, testimonies, and forensic material will be preserved according to international law standards.

The resolution asked all relevant parties to cooperate completely with the commission.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi virtually attended the session from Islamabad.

Considering the situation in Gaza, Qureshi emphasized the Council to serve the fundamental rights of Palestinians and “hold the aggressor accountable through international inquiry”.

Taking to his Twitter handle, FM said Pakistan stands together with UNHRC’s decisions following the situation in Palestine.

Welcome @UN_HRC adoption of resolution tabled by Pakistan calling for ‘Ensuring respect for int’l humanitarian law & int’l human rights law’, establishing ongoing commission of inquiry to investigate Human Rights abuses in Occupied Palestine including East Jerusalem & Israel.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 27, 2021

However, Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu termed the Council’s decision as “shameful”.

Today’s shameful decision is yet another example of the UN Human Rights Council’s blatant anti-Israel obsession.

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 27, 2021