UN Reaches First Agreement to Establish Standing Committee for Human Rights Violations Investigation in Palestine Conflict

OIC Countries Unite to Pass Resolution
US Withdrawal in 2018 Prevented Opposition Unity...First Agreement
Israel Strongly Opposes... "Encouraging Terrorists"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United Nations Human Rights Council recently agreed to establish a permanent commission to continuously monitor and investigate human rights violations arising from the clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Although the formation of the permanent commission had previously been blocked due to strong opposition from the United States and Israel, the resolution to establish the commission was passed for the first time ever after the U.S. withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, preventing a consolidated opposition vote. Israel has strongly opposed the move, calling it assistance to terrorists.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 27th (local time), the UN Human Rights Council resolved to form a permanent commission to investigate human rights violations occurring during the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. The 47-member council passed the resolution with 24 votes in favor, 9 against, and 14 abstentions during a special session held to discuss the human rights situation resulting from the recent clashes between the two sides. The resolution also demands that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) investigate the "underlying causes of recurring tensions, instability, and prolonged conflict," including discrimination and oppression.

This resolution calls for the establishment of a permanent investigative commission (COI) to monitor and report on human rights violations against Palestinian residents occurring in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. The resolution was proposed in solidarity by member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC is the largest Islamic international organization with 57 member countries, including major Islamic sectarian powers such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The establishment of the permanent investigative commission represents the highest level of investigative demand that the Human Rights Council can make, and this is the first time such a resolution has been passed. Previously, resolutions were blocked mainly due to strong opposition from the United States and Israel, but in this case, the resolution passed smoothly as the U.S. did not strongly oppose it. The United States withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018 during the administration of former President Donald Trump and declared its return under the Joe Biden administration in February of this year, but it is still participating only as an observer state without voting rights.

During the special session, the U.S. representative reportedly made no particular remarks. However, immediately after the resolution passed, the U.S. Mission in Geneva issued a statement expressing "deep regret that the decision of the UN Human Rights Council could jeopardize recent progress."

On the other hand, Israel strongly opposed the resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized it on Twitter, calling the UN Human Rights Council resolution a "shameless anti-Israel obsession." He added, "The immoral majority of the Human Rights Council once again obsessively targets Israeli civilians while turning a blind eye to terrorist organizations that use Gaza civilians as human shields." He emphasized, "Such actions make international law a laughingstock and encourage terrorists worldwide."

The Israeli ambassador to the Mission in Geneva also stated, "Israel has taken all measures to protect civilians," but argued, "However, Hamas's strategy of hiding under residential buildings, maternity wards, and mosques has caused innocent casualties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.