Gaza flotilla: UN fact-finding mission concludes visit to Turkey

GENEVA (27 August 2010) – The international, independent fact-finding mission of high-level experts appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council to inquire into the Gaza flotilla incident has concluded a one-week visit to Turkey.

During the week, the three high-level experts interviewed witnesses and government officials who provided first hand information on the incident that took place on 31 May 2010. In addition, technical and legal experts accompanying the mission held meetings with forensic and judiciary officials and also inspected the ship Mavi Marmara.

The fact-finding mission will start a visit to Jordan (29 August - 4 September) to interview witnesses based in Jordan and in neighboring countries.

As requested by the Human Rights Council resolution, the Mission is taking steps to present a report at the next session of the Council in September.

The fact-finding mission is chaired by Judge K. Hudson-Phillips, former judge of the International Criminal Court in the Hague, and has two other eminent members: Sir Desmond de Silva, Queen’s Counsel, who was Chief Prosecutor of the Sierra Leone War Crimes Tribunal and Ms. Shanthi Dairiam, human rights expert of Malaysia and former member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

(*) See the Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/14session/RES.14.1_AEV.pdf

For further information, please contact flotillaffm@ohchr.org