CAIRO – 1 July 2024: Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, has exposed the extent of Israel's violations against Palestinian detainees and their prosecution methods on an international level.
Albanese stated that the list of violations committed by Israel against Palestinians since October 7 is extensive and has been meticulously documented by various human rights experts and monitoring mechanisms such as the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In an exclusive statement to "Youm7," Albanese detailed that Israel has committed acts of genocide, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, denial of fair trials, and the use of torture in the context of deprivation of liberty. These severe abuses and other forms of cruel and inhuman treatment are particularly prevalent against the population of Gaza.
Regarding the repression faced by the West Bank residents, Albanese noted, "The violations in the West Bank are not significantly different from those in Gaza. Alongside the violations already mentioned, there is also forced displacement, which is a serious human rights violation and a critical element of Israel's presence in the Palestinian territories. Additionally, Israel's known torture practices against Palestinian detainees have escalated, aiming at the destruction of the Palestinian population as a whole, with the intensification of violence being most evident in Gaza."
Albanese emphasized that Israel's actions constitute genocide, noting that most of Israel's crimes and violations against Palestinians are prosecutable under its own laws. Therefore, these acts can be investigated and prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other national mechanisms. These crimes are prosecutable under the Rome Statute of the ICC.
Albanese explained that the deprivation of liberty and related charges, including the use of torture and administrative detention, could be considered crimes against humanity due to their widespread and systematic nature against the Palestinian people. She highlighted that the denial of fair trial guarantees is a systematic feature of Israel's illegal occupation.
Albanese pointed out that Israel's threats, defamation, and abusive language against ICC judges exemplify Israel's disregard and disrespect for the international multilateral system. This conduct is particularly alarming when directed at judges, as it can obstruct justice. The situation becomes even more concerning when the threats come from the United States, which has enacted laws and issued statements resembling mafia-like intimidation tactics against judges for merely performing their duties. Such actions are unacceptable and could be considered crimes under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, as noted by the ICC for obstructing justice.
Albanese's statements highlight the critical need for the international community to address and take action against the extensive human rights violations and crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians, ensuring accountability and justice through appropriate legal frameworks and mechanisms.
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