UN Human Rights Council appoints panel for Palestine inquiry

Geneva, Aug 12: The UN Human Rights Council President Baudelaire Ndong Ella Monday announced a three-member panel to investigate the human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the conflict-torn Gaza Strip.

Ella appointed Canadian William Schabas to serve as chair of the independent international commission of inquiry, Xinhua reported.

The commission also comprises British lawyer Amal Alamuddin and Doudou Diene from Senegal.

The Council decided to establish the commission of inquiry at its 21st special session July 23, 2014, to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military operations conducted since June 13.

The same session asked the commission to present its findings in March 2015.

The present Israeli offensive in Gaza that began July 8 in the restive enclave has killed over 1,900 Palestinians and left over 9,500 wounded, including around 2,800 children.

IANS