QADER Participates in International Commission of Inquiry’s Meeting to Review its Report Submitted to the Human Rights Council

QADER for Community Development participated in the Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s meeting with civil society organizations on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The meeting aimed to review the Commission's latest report submitted to the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council concerning the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and to exchange views on the report's content, the Commission's mandate, and future directions.

In its statement to the Permanent International Commission of Inquiry, QADER welcomed the Commission's report dated June 12, 2024, along with its conclusions and recommendations. The report underscored the Israeli occupation authorities' responsibility for widespread and systematic war crimes and crimes against humanity, supported by credible evidence during the ongoing military operations and attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. The report called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the blockade and collective punishment imposed on Gaza, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid amid indicators of famine. It also stressed the need for the UN Security Council, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, to demand the Israeli government implement an immediate ceasefire, lift the blockade, allow humanitarian aid access, and hold all perpetrators of severe violations and international crimes accountable. Additionally, it emphasized strict adherence to international law and ensuring third-party states fulfill their international obligations.

During its review of the International Commission's report (A/HRC/56/26) and its address to the Commission, QADER underscored the need for the Commission’s investigations, findings, and recommendations, in current and future reports, to prioritize the catastrophic impact of the ongoing aggression on the rights of persons with disabilities. It called attention to the severe violations and international crimes committed against persons with disabilities, particularly in the Gaza Strip. QADER emphasized that the report should include a detailed "identification" of those responsible for committing international crimes to ensure accountability. The report should also clarify the mechanisms for cooperation and integration with international courts and outline the measures the Commission has taken to enter Gaza and complete investigations in line with the precautionary measures issued by the International Court of Justice on May 24, 2024, mandating free access for international investigation committees to Gaza. Additionally, the report should detail the actions required from third-party states, including imposing sanctions on the occupying state and banning arms transfers, among other necessary measures

During the meeting, QADER highlighted that all its comments on the Commission's report regarding the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip are based on the Commission's establishment resolution by the Human Rights Council on May 27, 2021. It stressed the need for the International Commission of Inquiry, in coordination with civil society organizations, to diligently work on developing a "roadmap for accountability and non-impunity" for ongoing international crimes in Gaza, clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and implementation mechanisms. This is crucial to prevent the reports issued by the International Commission of Inquiry and previous UN investigation and fact-finding reports on repeated military attacks on Gaza from becoming mere stacks of paper, thereby increasing the frustration of Palestinian victims. It requires urgent action to develop a comprehensive roadmap to ensure accountability for Israeli occupation authorities, prevent impunity, and provide effective remedies for Palestinian victims.

QADER had previously submitted its detailed report titled "Impact of the Israeli Aggression on Gaza on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Monitoring Violations, Legal Analysis, Avenues for Accountability, and Effective Remedies" to the International Commission of Inquiry in response to the Commission's official call for civil society organizations to provide credible evidence of breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law that have occurred since October 7, 2023, to follow up according to the Commission's mandate.

It is noteworthy that the Permanent Independent International Commission of Inquiry was established by a decision of the UN Human Rights Council during its special session on May 27, 2021, regarding "the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem." The Council, during this session, adopted the resolution titled "Ensuring Respect for International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel." This resolution mandated the establishment of a continuous, independent international commission of inquiry to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and all violations and abuses of international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, that preceded and followed April 13, 2021. It also tasked the Commission with investigating the underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability, and conflict prolongation. The Commission is to submit an annual report on its key activities to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly starting June and September 2022.