UN special representative says: ‘Clear and convincing information’ that hostages held in Gaza suffered sexual violence
Pramila Patten added in a press release issued along with report that there are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence, including “other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment”, may continue to be inflicted on those who remain at the mercy of Hamas and its perpetrators. Other extremists detained in the Gaza Strip.
The report from her Office comes from an official visit to Israel at the invitation of the Government, which included a visit to the occupied West Bank, from 29 January to 14 February.
In the context of the coordinated attack by Hamas and others on October 7, the United Nations team of delegations found that there were there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurs in multiple locationsincluding rape and gang rape in at least three locations in southern Israel.
The team also found that some of the victims – mostly women – were completely or partially nude, tied up and shot in multiple locations “which may be indicative of some form of sexual violence”. .
In some locations, the delegation said it was unable to verify reported rapes.
Watch Ms. Patten’s press conference announcing the team’s findings at United Nations Headquarters in New York, below:
The full extent may never be known
The United Nations group said that the true extent of the sexual violence that occurred during the October 7 attacks and their consequences could be “it takes months or years to emerge and may never be fully known” according to the press release.
The delegation consisted of Ms. Patten and nine experts – viz no investigation in the wild – conducted 33 meetings with Israeli representatives, reviewed more than 5,000 photos and 50 hours of video footage. It conducted 34 confidential interviews including survivors and witnesses of the October 7 attack, released hostages, first responders and others.
The report said Israeli authorities faced many challenges in gathering evidence.
The charges involve Israeli security forces, settlers
The group also visited Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to listen to the views and concerns of officials and civil society representatives since October 7 allegedly in connection with the security forces and Israeli settlers.
Ms Patten heard concerns about the cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of Palestinians in detention, including sexual violence in the form of invasive searches, threats of rape and coercion prolonged nudity.
The information collected will complement that already collected by other United Nations officials on allegations of sexual violence related to the Gaza conflict, for possible inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report about this issue.
Initial recommendation
Ms. Patten’s recommendations include a call for the Israeli Government to grant full access to the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) and Eastern Human Rights Association-mandatory independence Commission required on the occupied territory “to conduct full independent investigations into all alleged violations,” according to the press release.
She calls on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all those held hostage and to ensure their protection, including from sexual violence.
Ms. Patten also called on all competent and relevant agencies to do so Bring all perpetrators of sexual violence to justice At the same time, he offered his office full support to strengthen national efforts.
She also called for the highest standards of integrity in reporting and handling cases of sexual violence, which, as the press release notes, “risk from inflammatory rhetoric.” action and sensational headlines escalate tensions” along with media or political pressure only adds to the pain and stigma against survivors.
The Special Representative echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a humanitarian ceasefire and called on any ceasefire agreement to acknowledge the importance of recognizing sexual violence as a key issue and for allow affected communities to be heard.
She reiterated her deep sympathy and solidarity with all people affected by the “brutal violence in the region” since 7 October.
