Call for Submissions on international crimes since 7 October 2023
30 November 2023
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) is investigating possible international crimes and violations of international human rights law committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 20231. The findings of the Commission’s investigations will be presented in its report to the Human Rights Council during its 56th Session (June 2024).
The Commission invites States and individuals, groups, and organisations to submit information concerning possible crimes committed by any armed actors, including both State and non-State actors, since 7 October 2023, including attacks against and killing and injuring of civilians, including children, attacks on civilian structures and objects, hostage-taking, use of civilians, including children, as human shields, sexual and gender-based violence, collective punishment (including denying access to and availability of essential resources and services), starvation, incitement to violence (ethnic, political, religious), the dissemination of misinformation/disinformation, and other actions constituting a crime under international law. The Commission invites the submission of any other information relevant to its investigation.
The Commission welcomes information concerning the identity of individuals, armed groups, and security or military units that are or could be responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. 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 report to the Human Rights Council. It could also be shared with accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, when informed consent to share is provided by the information source.
Procedure for submissions:
Information can be submitted in English, Arabic and/or Hebrew.
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.
Submissions should be sent via Tresorit, a secure file transfer service, using the following link: https://web.tresorit.com/r#r7RFPv63y9P9vSVEh5G_WA
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.