A coalition of 15 NGOs, including the Palestinian Human Rights Organization Council (PHROC), HIC, HRA and Adalah, have issued an appeal to the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. In the letter, the organizations urge the newly appointed Dr. Makarim Wibisono to exercise his mandate in light of Israel’s gross violations of human rights in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Dr. Wibisono (Indonesia) has remained effectively silent and inert throughout the crucial period of events unfolding since 13 June 2014.

Specifically, the NGOs call on the SR to conduct a high-profile mission to the Gaza Strip and, thereafter, to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem as soon as possible as a critical step toward achieving accountability. The letter points out that such a mission would serve to enhance the new mandate holder’s capacity and credibility as Special Rapporteur in preparing his upcoming report to the General Assembly, and would provide needed continuity to the upcoming Human Rights Council’s latest Commission of Inquiry, which it resolved to undertake in special session on 23 July 2014.

Read the joint letter.