Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
 Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices  (United Nations)   | |
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The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (SCIIP) is a United Nations body charged with monitoring "respect for and implementation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2443 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968, the SCIIP's full name is Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.[1]
On 14 November 2024, the UN SCIIP reported that Israel’s warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide, with mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.[2]
Contents
56th SCIIP report
In November 2024, SCIIP Chair Mohan Peiris presented the 56th report of the UN's Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices to the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly.[3] Two segments of his presentation follow:[4]
Characteristics of Genocide by Israel
"Before we delve into our report's findings, let us take a moment, I say, to take a step back and reflect on the broader picture: Under our watch, we have been permitting the clock to turn back to an era of unchecked barbarity. The very persecution we once vowed would never happen again, now permitted under the guise of technological precision, the manipulation of international law, the insidious disinformation. Our inaction is not only failing to protect innocent lives from the ravages of war, it is unraveling the international legal system itself, a framework painstakenly built to protect peace and security for all.
"So I ask the question, to what end does our silence ultimately serve?
"Surely it is serving to tear lives apart, fuel endless cycles of violence, set an entire region ablaze, and dismantle the very protections we established to safeguard humanity. All for the short term geopolitical interest of a few. As I present this report, I urge each and every one of you: Do not turn a deaf ear. History will not forgive or forget our inaction and complicity.
"Madam Chair, this year's report examines the mass civilian casualties and life threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians in Gaza. Our findings conclude that Israel's methods of war align with the characteristics of Genocide."[5]
Environmental catastrophe in Gaza
"Israel's extensive bombing campaign in Gaza has decimated essential services and unleashed an environmental catastrophe with severe long lasting health impacts.
"Since early this year, over 25,000 tonnes of explosives - equivalent to two nuclear bombs - have been dropped on Gaza, causing massive destruction, collapasing water and sanitation systems, devastating agriculture and spreading toxic pollution.
"Distinguished delegates, in doing so, the Israeli military has created a lethal mix of crises that will cause serious harm for generations to come. Hazardous debris, including carcinogenic asbestos, has poisoned Gaza's air, water and soil, exposing Palestinians to severe, long term health risks like respiratory disease and cancer. This is not a temporary crisis. It is a lasting catastrophe for the people of Gaza.
"Experts estimate that recycling even half of the staggering 39 million tons of debris could take up to 45 years with some environmental damage potentially irreversible.
"Madam Chair, our findings also reveal grave concerns over Israel's use of Artificial Intelligence enhanced targeting systems to direct its military operations. Although the Israelis claim this approach offers military precision, in reality it has been deployed with devastating consequences for civilians. Israel's use of AI assisted targeting with minimal human oversight combined with heavy bombs and home and nighttime tracking of targets shows a blatant disregard for its legal obligations to distinguish between civilians and combattants and to take adequate safeguards to prevent civilians deaths."[6]
References
- ↑ "End-of-Mission Statement of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices"
- ↑ "UN Special Committee finds Israel’s warfare methods in Gaza consistent with genocide, including use of starvation as weapon of war"
- ↑ "Israeli practices and settlement activities affecting the rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories – Item 50 –Introductory statement, question-and-answer period and general debate"
- ↑ "Two segments of a truly compelling presentation by the Sri Lankan Ambassador and Chair of the SCIIP"
- ↑ "Our findings conclude that Israel's methods of war align with the characteristics of Genocide"
- ↑ "Israel's extensive bombing campaign in Gaza has decimated essential services and unleashed an environmental catastrophe with severe long lasting health impacts"
