By NNN-KUNA,
Geneva : UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navy Pillay has said that violations of international humanitarian law may constitute war crimes for which individual criminal responsibility may be invoked.
She said in the opening statement of the the Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the Gaza aggression Friday that accountability must be ensured for violations of international law.
Pillay said that as a first step, credible independent and transparent investigations must be carried out to identify violations and establish responsibilities. Equally important, she said, is upholding the right of victims to reparation.
Pillay said that the press and non-governmnetal organisations should be allowed access into the affected areas in order to inform and assist the public.
She stressed that the many victims of the conflict in the Middle East, those whose rights are abused on a daily basis, deserve the international community’s commanlity of purpose and resolve.
Pillay deplored Israel’s totally unacceptable strikes against clearly marked UN facilities where civilians are taking shelter.
She added that UN facilities have been communicated to the Israeli authorities and despite such knowledge Israel defied UN request for protection.
She stressed that the current crisis in Gaza follows an 18-month air, sea and land blockade enforced through military means by Israel.
The blockade, she said, had already caused a massive destruction of livelihood and significant deterioration of infrastructure and basic services in the Gaza Strip.
Pillay said that the conflict has now exacerbated shortage of food and medicine.