On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report advocating for accountability from Israel and Palestinian militant groups for numerous violations of international law. These violations have occurred throughout the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and occupation. The report urges that these continual human rights violations “cannot be permitted to continue” and insists on immediate compliance with international law mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The report was presented in accordance with the Human Rights Council resolution 52/3, which requested a report on the “human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice.” The reporting period covers the span from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023.
The report provides an extensive background of the occupation and the violations by Palestinian militant groups and Israel, noting:
For over 56 years, the Occupied Palestinian Territory – the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza – has remained under occupation by Israel, affecting all rights of Palestinians, including the right to self-determination. The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory drastically worsened during the reporting period. There was an escalation of the use of lethal force in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and May 2023 also saw an escalation of hostilities in Gaza.
The report goes into detail about the human rights violations committed by both parties. These include the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians instigated by
Al Qassam Brigades and Al Quds Brigades, Hamas’s armed wings. The report states that these armed groups committed a series of war crimes.
It is also noted that Israel has committed war crimes and violations of international law, including unlawful killings, “wanton destruction of civilian property,” collective punishment, punitive and deliberate sieges and restrictions, and forced displacement.
According to a press release, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that, “The entrenched impunity reported by our Office for decades cannot be permitted to continue. There must be accountability on all sides for violations seen over 56 years of occupation and the 16 years of blockade of Gaza, and up to today.” He added that justice is vital for ending cycles of violence and establishing steps towards peace.
It is worth recalling that the Geneva Conventions 1949 prohibit the torture, cruel treatment, taking of hostages, degrading treatment, extrajudicial killings, and harm to any civilians in times of war and armed conflict.