A group of experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has called for a thorough investigation into alleged rights violations against Palestinian women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The experts, deeply concerned about reported incidents, are urging immediate action to address the gravity of the situation.
Disturbing Reports of Arbitrary Executions and Targeting
The experts expressed shock at reports of arbitrary executions of Palestinian women and girls in Gaza, often in the company of their families, including children. Disturbingly, some victims were allegedly targeted while seeking refuge or fleeing conflict zones. The experts raised specific instances where individuals, including children, were reportedly killed while holding white pieces of cloth, allegedly by the Israeli army or affiliated forces.
Arbitrary Detention and Inhuman Treatment
Highlighting another alarming aspect, the experts voiced serious concern over the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women and girls since the conflict's onset in October. Among the detainees are human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian workers. Many have allegedly endured inhuman and degrading treatment, being denied essential items such as menstruation pads, food, and medicine, and subjected to severe beatings.
Sexual Assault and Deprivation of Dignity
The experts conveyed particular distress over reports of multiple forms of sexual assault against Palestinian women and girls in detention. Instances of being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers were cited, with at least two female detainees reportedly subjected to rape. Moreover, the experts expressed concern that degrading photos of female detainees were allegedly taken by the Israeli army and shared online.
The experts also raised alarms about an unknown number of Palestinian women and children, including girls, reportedly going missing after contact with the Israeli army in Gaza. Reports of a female infant forcibly transferred to Israel and children being separated from their parents, whose whereabouts remain unknown, further intensified concerns about the situation.
A Plea for Human Rights and Dignity
The experts, in a strong statement, reminded the government of Israel of its obligation to uphold the rights and dignity of Palestinian women and girls. They emphasized the need for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into the allegations and urged Israel to cooperate with any such probe.
The experts also cautioned that the alleged acts, when considered together, may constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. They warned that these actions could be serious crimes under international criminal law, potentially prosecutable under the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC). The experts called for accountability and justice for the reported violations, urging international cooperation in addressing these pressing concerns.
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