The 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
28 February 2022 - 01 April 2022
Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice (HRC res. 46/3) - Interactive Dialogue
3 March 2022
Oral Statement for the International Organization For the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD)
Delivered by Amie Sillito / GICJ
We thank the High Commissioner for her detailed report. It is evident that the Israeli authorities continue to violate fundamental human rights of the Palestinian People alongside a culture of impunity. Despite the preliminary investigations carried out by Israel, findings regarding human rights violations continue to be shielded from public scrutiny and few criminal investigations appear to have been set in motion. As such, EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge the international community to employ all efforts to hold Israel accountable for its obligations under international human rights and international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The lack of progress in investigations and prosecutions of alleged violations dating back, in many cases to more than a decade ago, raises the question of whether the Israeli authorities are willing to root out impunity and hold perpetrators for such violations responsible. Its deplorable that Israel continues to silence human rights defenders and civil society organisations. Notably in July 2021 two human rights organisations were declared unlawful associations by the Israeli military commander for the West Bank. Such action directly undermines freedom of association and is a direct attack upon the democratic system.
Thorough, transparent investigations must be conducted into all alleged violations of human rights abuses and Israel must ensure that victims and their families have access to effective remedies and due process.
Thank you!
