Call for submissions issued on 2 October 2024
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) has been investigating international crimes, including violations of international humanitarian law, and violations and abuses of international human rights law committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
For its next reports to be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council during its 59th Session (June 2025) and to the United Nations General Assembly during its 80th Session (October 2025), the Commission invites States, individuals, groups, and organisations to submit information concerning the acts committed by any State or non-State actor as well as significant developments, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel concerning the following topics:
- Attacks on cultural property and heritage and restrictions on art and culture;
- Attacks on religious sites and denial of access to religious sites;
- Attacks on schools and other educational facilities, including universities; attacks against teaching staff; military use of schools/universities; and restrictions to access education including censorship of curriculum;
- Dispossession of land and property;
- Destruction of infrastructure and demolition of property;
- Settlement construction/expansion;
- Issues related to the right of return.
The Commission welcomes information concerning those most responsible for the violations, including the identity of individuals, organizations or groups, armed groups, and government, security or military units. It is particularly interested in the identification of persons in positions of command responsibility for actions that may constitute war crimes. It would also welcome information concerning the identity of victims and witnesses.
The information collected will be used in the preparation of the Commission’s reports to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly. It could also be shared with accountability mechanisms including criminal investigations and other legal proceedings.
Procedure for submissions:
Information can be submitted in English, Arabic and/or Hebrew.
The Commission invites individuals, groups and organisations to submit information which is not publicly available.
The Commission attaches the utmost importance to the safety and security of people and the protection of sources, notably concerning the respect for confidentiality and the ‘do no harm’ principle (not to jeopardize the life, safety, freedom and well-being of victims, witnesses and other cooperating persons). If applicable, information providers should state their wish to remain confidential when transmitting information to the Commission.
Individuals, groups and organizations wishing to submit information to the Commission are kindly asked to fill in this sheet with any information they are able to provide and attach it to their submissions. It is not a requirement to provide all requested information if not available, though particular attention should be given to filling in the section on informed consent.
Organizations specifically documenting violations related to children’s rights and women’s rights are strongly encouraged to submit any relevant information pertaining to acts listed above.
Submissions should be sent via Tresorit, a secure file transfer service, using the following link:
https://web.tresorit.com/r#0bMixM6Ko3iXmi1EE7kT-w
Upon accessing the link, please click "Add Items" and select the information you wish to submit. Please insert your email address in the given text box, so that we can identify the sender, and then click "Upload".
Please do not send sensitive information through email. Should you have any questions, including on how to submit sensitive information to the Commission, please contact the Commission at coi-opteji@un.org
Please note that individual acknowledgements of receipt of information will not be sent. It should be noted that not all information provided will be reflected in public reports of the Commission.