UN commission to investigate Hamas sexual violence, appeal for evidence

UN Commission to Investigate Hamas Sexual Violence and Appeal for Evidence

GENEVA, Nov 29 (Reuters) – A U.N. commission of inquiry investigating war crimes on both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict will focus on sexual violence by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and is about to launch an appeal for evidence, its chair told Reuters on Wednesday.

Introduction

The U.N. Commission of Inquiry, established in 2021 by the U.N. Human Rights Council, is conducting an investigation into war crimes committed during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The commission aims to gather evidence and identify perpetrators of international crimes, with a particular focus on sexual violence by Hamas in the attacks on Israel on October 7. The commission is now launching an appeal for evidence to support its investigation.

Focus on Sexual Violence by Hamas

Chair Navi Pillay, the former U.N. human rights chief and International Criminal Court judge, stated that the commission will prioritize the investigation into sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel. Pillay emphasized the importance of collecting testimonies and evidence related to these crimes, which will be passed on to the International Criminal Court for potential prosecutions.

Challenges and Criticisms

One of the major challenges faced by the commission is the lack of cooperation from Israel, which has criticized the commission for having an anti-Israel bias. Without access to Israeli territory and cooperation from Israeli authorities, the commission may struggle to gather sufficient evidence to support future charges. Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva has expressed its opposition to the commission and its perceived lack of fairness.

Collaboration with International Criminal Court

Chair Navi Pillay has met with prosecutors from the International Criminal Court to collaborate on sharing evidence related to the sexual violence committed by Hamas. The ICC has jurisdiction over both Hamas’ attack on October 7 and any crimes committed on Palestinian territory as part of Israel’s response. The collaboration between the commission and the ICC highlights the potential impact of the evidence gathered by the commission on future war crimes prosecutions.

Investigation into Killing of Reporters

In addition to the investigation into sexual violence, the commission also aims to investigate the killing of reporters during the Israel-Hamas conflict. This includes the case of Issam Abdallah, a visuals journalist from Reuters who was killed on October 13. Israel has stated that it does not deliberately target journalists and is conducting its own investigation into the incident.

Conclusion

The U.N. Commission of Inquiry’s investigation into war crimes committed during the Israel-Hamas conflict, with a specific focus on sexual violence by Hamas, is a significant step towards accountability and justice. The evidence gathered by the commission may play a crucial role in potential future prosecutions by the International Criminal Court. However, the lack of cooperation from Israel poses a challenge to the commission’s efforts. The investigation into the killing of reporters also highlights the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring their safety in conflict zones.

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