‘Clear And Convincing Information’ That Hostages Held In Gaza Subjected To Sexual Violence, Says UN Special Representative

A Disturbing News Report from the United Nations

Posted March 6^th, 2024 on Niagara At Large

A Foreword by Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large Followed by a News Report from the United Nations –

I posted commentary on this online news site in recent weeks expressing disappointment over this past January’s almost unanimous decision by our Niagara Regional Councillors to block a motion by one of their members – St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley  Batemen – that involved the horrible suffering unfolding in Hamas-Israel War.

In a nutshell, Bateman’s motion called on her fellow  Regional Councillors to support  a ceasefire in the ongoing Hamas-Israel War, an increase in humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip, more action by our federal government to welcome Palestinian refugees to Canada and lighting up the Region’s headquarters in the colours of the Palestinian flag in recognition of the continued suffering and dying of people in the Gaza Strip.

With absolutely no regret, I have also expressed disappointment that almost all on the Region’s Council went along with a move to block about a dozen and a half area residents, most if not all of them of Palestinian descent, from speaking to the council about the plight Palestinian people in that same region.

In this journalist’s view, if our Regional Government can release a statement of support and sympathy for Israel and the Israeli people, and light the regional headquarters in the colours of the Israeli flag following the October 7^th Hamas attack, why would it not even give a group of Palestinian Canadians in our region a chance to ask for similar consideration?

Don’t show public sympathy and support for one side in a foreign conflict, then turn around, as the majority of Regional Councillors did, and say that foreign conflicts are not the Regional Council’s business when the other side is seeking some support for the trauma it is going through too.

Since the murderous attack by a gang of Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip on men, women and children as young as babies in neibhouring Israel, I have also been disappointed that more Palestinian and Israeli people have not gotten together to condemn the Hamas leadership and the leadership in Israel that have kept all of this war going.

I know I am not the only one who believes that there will never be an end to the killing or suffering unless people on both sides hold hands together in support of leaders that will work for lasting peace.

I have therefore tried to stay away from posting news releases or information from either side that fails to acknowledge that leaders on both sides have blood on their hands. In that spirit, I have posted a piece in recent days that invite readers to engage in a zoom meeting featuring Palestinian Canadians talking about the suffering of people in Gaza, and another piece addressing the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism across our region and country.

In that spirit, I am also posting the following news from the United Nations, a body that has been crying out for a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel War, for an end to the humanitarian catastrophy in the Gaza Stripand for therelease of all remaining hostages taken by Hamas thugs last October 7^th.

The United Nations report speaks to the horrific acts committed by the worst of the worst in the Hamas gang, and here it is. Be forewarned that it is a gut-wrenching report to read –

From the United Nation’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict –

Following a 17-day visit to Israel, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict reported on Monday that she and a team of experts had found “clear and convincing information” of rape and sexualized torture being committed against hostages seized during the 7 October terror attacks.

Pramila Patten added in a press release issued along with the report that there are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence, which includes other “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, may be continuing against those still being held by Hamas and other extremists in the Gaza Strip.

The report from her Office arose from an official visit to Israel at the invitation of the Government which included a visit to the occupied West Bank, between 29 January and 14 February.

In the context of the coordinated attack by Hamas and others of 7 October, the UN mission team found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations, including rape and gang rape in at least three locations in southern Israel.

The team also found a pattern of victims – mostly women – found fully or partially naked, bound and shot across multiple locations which “may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence”.

In some locations the mission said it could not verify reported incidents of rape.

Watch Ms. Patten’s press conference announcing the team’s findings at UN Headquarters in New York, below:

 

Full extent may never be known

The UN team is of the view that the true extent of sexual violence committed during the 7 October attacks and their aftermath could “take months or years to emerge and may never be fully known” according to the press release.

The mission made up of Ms. Patten and nine experts – which was not investigative in nature – conducted 33 meetings with Israeli representatives, examining more than 5,000 photographic images and 50 hours of video footage. It conducted 34 confidential interviews including with survivors and witnesses of the 7 October attacks, released hostages, first responders and others.

The report says that Israeli authorities have faced numerous challenges in collecting evidence.

Allegations implicating Israeli security forces, settlers

The team also visited Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to hear the views and concerns of officials and civil society representatives since 7 October which allegedly implicate Israeli security forces and settlers.

Ms. Patten heard concerns raised over cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinians in detention, including sexual violence in the form of invasive searches, threats of rape and prolonged forced nudity.

The information gathered will complement that already gathered by other UN officials on allegations of conflict-related sexual violence inside Gaza, for potential inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report on the issue.

Initial recommendations

Ms. Patten’s recommendations include a call for the Israeli Government to grant full access to the UN human rights office (OHCHR) and the Human Rights Council–mandated independent Commission of Inquiry on the occupied territory “to conduct fully-fledged independent investigations into all alleged violations”, according to the press release.

She called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all those being held as hostages and to ensure their protection, including from sexual violence.

Ms. Patten also called on all relevant and competent bodies to bring all perpetrators of sexual violence to justice while offering the full support of her office to bolster national efforts.

She also called for the highest standards of information integrity in reporting and handling of sexual violence cases, as the press release notes, “given the risks of inflammatory rhetoric and sensationalized headlines escalating tensions” along with media or political pressure which will only compound the trauma and stigmatization of survivors.

The Special Representative echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a humanitarian ceasefire and urged any ceasefire agreement to acknowledge the importance of recognizing sexual violence as a key issue and to allow affected communities to be heard.

She reiterated her profound sympathy and solidarity with all civilians impacted by the “brutal violence in the region” since 7 October.

For a related story on this report, click on –UN finds ‘convincing information’ backing reports Hamas and other militants raped women on Oct. 7 | CBC NewsUN finds ‘convincing information’ backing reports Hamas and other militants raped women on Oct. 7 | CBC News

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders