UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict to screen Gaza hearings in Geneva – UNOG press release

UN FACT FINDING MISSION ON THE GAZA CONFLICT TO SCREEN GAZA PUBLIC HEARINGS AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS ON 16 AND 17 JULY 2009

15 July 2009

On 6 and 7 July 2009, the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict heard testimonies given in Geneva by people from Israel and the West Bank, as well as other experts.

The Geneva hearings session was preceded by public hearings conducted in Gaza City on 28 and 29 June 2009, during which the Mission heard testimonies by people from Gaza.

The aim of the public hearings, which are a part of the Mission’s investigations into the December 2008 – January 2009 Gaza conflict, was to enable victims from all sides in the conflict as well as experts on its impact and consequences to speak directly to the international community about their experiences.

On Thursday 16 and Friday 17 July 2009, the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict will screen at the Palais des Nations the public hearings conducted in Gaza City. Diplomatic Missions, United Nations agencies, bodies and departments, Non-Governmental Organisations accredited to the United Nations in Geneva, UN accredited media and members of the public with UN grounds passes are invited to view the screening of the Gaza hearings in Room XVI on the fifth floor of “A” building on 16 & 17 July. The screening will take place from 11 am to 4 pm on both days.

A webcast of the public hearings in Gaza and Geneva is also available at the following web address: http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/archive.asp?go=041.

The mandate of the Fact Finding Mission is to provide an independent investigation into all violations of International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law in the context of the 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009 military operations in Gaza, whether they took place before, during or after those dates.

For use of the information media; not an official record

HR09117E