————————————————–
Islamic Human Rights Commission
————————————————–

29 September 2009. 

Human Rights Council.
12th Session. 29 September 2009.
Agenda item 7-General Debate

Mr. President
Islamic Human Rights Commission congratulates the Council for the establishment of the fact finding mission on the Gaza conflict. Many of the recommendations made by the fact finding mission indeed reflects many of our concerns.

Islamic Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned for the suffering of the Palestinian people which is increasing on daily basis as Israeli occupation continues. The rights of the Palestinian people recognized internationally are not respected by the Israelis.

Islamic Human Rights Commission report ‘Aftermath: Gaza in the days after the 22 day war,’ which is based on field investigations of incident sites in Gaza, clearly indicates that Israeli soldiers failed to distinguish between civilians and combatants as required by the laws of war. Under the laws of war, person who carry out deliberate attacks on civilians are responsible for war crimes and possible crimes against humanity
In one case documented in the report on 29 December 2009 at 1.00 am, Israeli missile directly hit Anwar Khalil Balusha house, where he lived with his wife and five children. Five of his daughters aged 18, 14, and 11. 10 and 4 were killed.

In another case women waving white clothes and holding babies were killed when an Israeli soldier ordered them to come outside and opened fire. One of the victims of the war crime was Khalid Al Samouni, who lost his wife and two sons; one had a bullet through his temple the other through his chest.
                                                                               

It seems that the state of Israel and its leadership have a kind of super impunity that they enjoy which allows them to violate all international standards and laws which they wish to violate. Mr. President the situation of Palestine remains the longest unresolved issue on the UN agenda.

We urge the council that in the light of the recommendation of the fact finding mission, Israel should be held accountable for violation of laws of war. Failure to do so will undermine the credibility of the council as well as heighten suspicion about the integrity of international justice

Thank you Mr. President.
——————————————————————————————————
The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183

Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org