UPCOMING HEARINGS ENABLE VICTIMS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO UN GAZA RIGHTS PROBE

Members of the independent fact-finding mission set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council will hold public hearings in Gaza next week as part of its investigations into violations committed during the recent conflict in the Strip, allowing those affected to tell their stories to the world.

The hearings will "enable victims from all sides in the conflict and experts on its consequences and impacts to speak directly to the international community of their experiences," according to a statement issued in Geneva.

The four-member team, led by Justice Richard Goldstone, will interview victims, witnesses and experts in Gaza City on 28 and 29 June, at the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Hearings will also be held on 6 and 7 July in Geneva, as part of the investigations into rights violations committed during the December 2008-January 2009 conflict, which killed over 1,400 people and injured 5,000 others.

Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN human rights chief Navi Pillay have called on Israel to cooperate with the investigation team, which travelled to Gaza earlier this month in the first of several planned visits to the area.
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The Registrar addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council

At a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held today in Geneva, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Ms Silvana Arbia spoke of progress achieved in the evolution of an international criminal justice system of which the ICC is a part, and the importance of conducting national prosecution of serious international crimes in order to put an end to impunity.

In her address to the 11th session of the Council, the Registrar explored synergies between human rights protection and the prevention of serious international crimes, especially with regard to the rights of victims. She acknowledged the significant efforts made by human rights defenders to support the ICC. “They are courageously and fervently pursuing their work in support of the noble cause of justice,” she said.

Ms Arbia provided an update on the latest judicial developments of the situations and cases currently before the Court: Central African Republic , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Darfur in the Sudan and Uganda . She explained that of four individuals under ICC custody, one is facing trial, and three more are waiting for their trials scheduled to commence before the end of the year. Eight suspects remain at large.

Ms Arbia stressed the crucial importance of effective co-operation from States to successfully execute the Court’s mandate. She noted that States Parties have a binding obligation to enforce warrants of arrest. In case of the Security Council referral of the Darfur situation, the obligations to co-operate are set out in Resolution 1593, adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

She finally mentioned the challenges faced by the Court, including those related to the way the Rome Statute is interpreted, and its operations in situations of ongoing conflict. She emphasised that despite these challenges, significant progress had been made, especially with regard to developing the jurisprudence on the rights of victims. The Registrar noted that opening offices in the field has made it possible for the Court to carry out activities to overcome a number of challenges related to investigations, victims and witness protection, and ensuring that the Court’s judicial mandate and proceedings are well understood and expectations from the public are realistic.