International Commissions of Inquiry, Fact-finding Missions: Asia and Pacific

UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General decided to dispatch a fact-finding mission to investigate the situation of human rights violations in Abkhazia, including reports of "ethnic cleansing." (S/26795)

Security Council demands that all parties refrain from the use of force and from any violations of international humanitarian law, and welcomes the decision of the Secretary-General to send a fact-finding mission to the Republic of Georgia in this regard, in particular to investigate reports of "ethnic cleansing" (Security Council resolution 876 (1993) of 19 Oct. 1993)

High Commissioner for Human Rights

General Assembly resolution 54/185 of 17 Dec. 1999

High Commissioner for Human Rights

OHCHR Exploratory mission to Afghanistan to determine the feasibility of an investigation into allegations of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in Afghanistan in the course of 1997 

Security Council resolution 1193 (1998) (of 28 Aug. 1998) requests the Secretary-General to continue investigations

General Assembly resolution 52/135 of 12 Dec. 1998

General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to examine the request by the Cambodian authorities for assistance in responding to past serious violations of Cambodian and international law, including the possibility of the appointment, by the Secretary-General, of a group of experts to evaluate the existing evidence and propose further measures, as a means of bringing about national reconciliation, strengthening democracy and addressing the issue of individual accountability (A/RES/52/1385).

In accordance with resolution 52/135, in July 1998, the Secretary-General created the Group of Experts for Cambod/ia with the following mandate: (a) To evaluate the existing evidence with a view to determining the nature of the crimes committed by Khmer Rouge leaders in the years from 1975 to 1979; (b) To assess, after consultation with the Governments concerned, the feasibility of bringing Khmer Rouge leaders to justice and their apprehension, detention and extradition or surrender to the criminal jurisdiction established; (c) To explore options for bringing to justice Khmer Rouge leaders before an international or national jurisdiction. (A/53/850)

Human Rights Council resolution 25/25 of 28 Mar. 2014.

On 28 March 2014, at its 25th session, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 25/25 in response to the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which found that systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations have been and were being committed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

In many instances, the violations found entailed crimes against humanity based on State policies. This resolution requested the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to follow-up on the recommendations made by the commission of inquiry in its report including through the “…establishment of a field-based structure to strengthen monitoring and documentation of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to ensure accountability, to enhance engagement and capacity-building with the Governments of all States concerned, civil society and other stakeholders, and to maintain visibility of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including through sustained communications, advocacy and outreach initiatives”. The OHCHR field-based structure in Seoul was established in June 2015.

On 24 March 2017, at its 34th session, the Human Rights Council through resolution 34/24, decided to strengthen the capacity of the OHCHR, including its field-based structure in Seoul, for two years, to allow for the implementation of relevant recommendations made by the group of independent experts on accountability in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in its report (A/HRC/34/66/Add.1). The resolution specifically called for “strengthening current monitoring and documentation efforts, establishing a central information and evidence repository, and having experts in legal accountability assess all information and testimonies with a view to developing possible strategies to be used in any future accountability process.”

In accordance with this mandate, a dedicated the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea accountability project was set up with staff in its field based-structure in Seoul and in Geneva to strengthen the Office’s ongoing work on promoting accountability in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Human Rights Council extended this strengthened mandate for an additional two years in March 2019 (resolution 40/20) and in March 2021 (resolution 46/17). In March 2021, the Council also requested the High Commissioner “to include additional options for strengthening, institutionalizing and further advancing work on accountability in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in the report to be submitted to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-second session”; and “to organize a series of consultations and outreach activities with victims, affected communities and other relevant stakeholders with a view to including their views into avenues for accountability.”

The High Commissioner presented an update on this work at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2021 (A/HRC/46/52). A full report on the Office’s work on accountability in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2023 during the 52nd session, during which the Council extended this mandate for a further two years (A/HRC/52/L.9) and requested the High  Commissioner  to  provide  an  oral  update  on  the  progress made in this regard to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-fifth session, and to submit a full report on  the  implementation  of  the  recommendations  to  the  Council  at  its  fifty-eighth session.

• Commission of Inquiry – 2013/2014
• Field-based structure in Seoul
• Independent experts’ report on accountability (A/HRC/34/66/Add.1)

Press Releases

North Korea: Truth, justice and reparations needed for victims of enforced disappearance and abduction – UN report
28 March 2023

DPRK: Pursue accountability for human rights violations, UN report urges international community
2 February 2021

Statements

Oral Update on the DPRK, 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 10 March 2020

Oral Update on the DPRK, 37th session of the Human Rights Council, Statement by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, 14 March 2018,

Human Rights Council resolution 22/13 of 21 Mar. 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 49-51)

Human Rights Council resolution S35/1 of 24 Nov. 2022

With the adoption of resolution S35/1 of 24 November 2022, the Human Rights Council provided the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran with the following mandate:

a. To thoroughly and independently investigate alleged human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran related to the protests that began on 16 September 2022, especially with respect to women and children;
b. To establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violations;
c. To collect, consolidate and analyse evidence of such violations and preserve evidence, including in view of cooperation in any legal proceedings;
d. To engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, relevant United Nations entities, human rights organizations and civil society.

The Human Rights Council requested the Fact-Finding Mission to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-third session (June/July 2023) and to present to the Council a comprehensive report on its findings during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-fifth session (March 2024).

See the Terms of Reference (English | Farsi) of the Fact-Finding Mission.

Press Releases

Iran: Institutional discrimination against women and girls enabled human rights violations and crimes against humanity in the context of recent protests, UN Fact-Finding Mission says
8 March 2024
English | Español | Farsi

Iran: On one-year anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death in custody, heightened repression of women and girls and reprisals against protesters and victims’ families is deeply troubling, UN Fact-Finding Mission says
14 September 2023
English | Español | Farsi

Iran must end crackdown against protesters and uphold rights of all Iranians, especially women and girls, Fact-Finding Mission says
5 July 2023
English | Español | Farsi 

Statement by the Iran Fact-Finding Mission on the Executions of Protesters
19 May 2023
English | Farsi

President of Human Rights Council appoints members of investigative body on Iran
20 December 2022
English

Statements

Open letter to the Islamic Parliament of Iran on the occasion of the opening of its 12^th session
27 May 2024
English | Farsi

Statement by FFM Chair Sara Hossain, to the 55th session of Human Rights Council
18 March 2024
English | Farsi

Statement by FFM Chair Sara Hossain to the 53rd session of Human Rights Council
5 July 2023
English | Farsi

Documentation

Detailed findings of the independent international fact-finding mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran
English
19 March 2024

A/HRC/55/67: Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Human Rights Council
March 2024
العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español | Farsi

Human Rights Council resolution S35/1: deteriorating situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially with respect to women and children
24 November 2022

Human Rights Council  resolution S-22/1 of 1 Sep. 2014 (in A/69/53/Add.1, pp. 7-9)

Human Rights Council resolution S-2/1 of 11 Aug. 2006 (in A/61/53, pp. 108-110)

Human Rights Council resolution 39/2 of 27 Sept. 2018

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar ("IIMM" or "Myanmar Mechanism") was established by the Human Rights Council in September 2018 through resolution 39/2. It is mandated to collect evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law and prepare files for criminal prosecution, making use of the information handed over to it by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (FFMM). The Myanmar Mechanism became operational on 30 August 2019.

Human Rights Council decided to establish an ongoing independent mechanism to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011, and to prepare files in order to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings, in accordance with international law standards, in national, regional or international courts or tribunals that have or may in the future have jurisdiction over these crimes, in accordance with international law;
Also decides that the mechanism shall:
(a) Be able to make use of the information collected by the fact-finding mission and continue to collect evidence;
(b) Have the capacity to document and verify relevant information and evidence, including through field engagement and by cooperating with other entities, as appropriate;
(c) Report on its main activities on an annual basis to the Human Rights Council as of its forty-second session and to the General Assembly as of its seventy-fourth session

Reports:

A/HRC/45/60 (7 July 2020)
A/HRC/42/66 (7 Aug. 2019)

Oral statements:

Statement by Mr. Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (42nd session, 9 Sept. 2019)

Human Rights Council resolution 34/22 of 24 Mar. 2017, decision 36/115 of 29 Sept. 2017, resolution 39/2 of 27 Sept. 2018

Mandate

Resolution 39/2:
Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 34/22, until the new mechanism is operational to ensure that the large and continually increasing amount of evidence of human rights violations and abuses it has collected is fully documented, verified, consolidated and preserved in order for the material to be effectively shared, accessed and used by the mechanism, and requests the fact-finding mission to submit a final report on its main activities to the Council at its forty-second session.

Resolution 34/22:
Human Rights Council decided to dispatch urgently an independent international fact-finding mission to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council to establish the facts and circumstances of the alleged recent human rights violations by military and security forces, and abuses, in Myanmar, in particular in Rakhine State, including but not limited to arbitrary detention, torture and inhuman treatment, rape and other forms of sexual violence, extrajudicial,  summary  or  arbitrary killings,  enforced  disappearance,  forced  displacement and unlawful  destruction  of  property,  with  a  view  to  ensuring full  accountability  for perpetrators and justice  for victims, and requests the fact-finding mission  to present to the Council an  oral  update at  its  thirty-sixth  session and  a  full  report  at its  thirty-seventh session

Decision 36/115:
Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission, and to request it to present an oral update, to be followed by an interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council at its thirty-seventh session, to submit its final report for consideration by the Council at its thirty-ninth session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and to present that report also to the General Assembly at its seventy-third session

Resolution 39/2:
Human Rights Council decided to extend the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 34/22, until the new mechanism is operational to ensure that the large and continually increasing amount of evidence of human rights violations and abuses it has collected is fully documented, verified, consolidated and preserved in order for the material to be effectively shared, accessed and used by the mechanism, and requests the fact-finding mission to submit a final report on its main activities to the Council at its forty-second session.

Reports:

A/HRC/42/CRP/3 (5 Aug. 2019) - Economic interests of the Myanmar military

A/HRC/39/64 (24 Aug. 2018)

Oral statements:

Statement by the Chairperson at the Human Rights Council (24 Oct 2018)
Statement by the Chairperson to the General Assembly (23 Oct 2018)
Statement by the Chairperson at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council (18 Sep 2018)
Statement by the Chairperson at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council (12 Mar 2018)
Statement by the Chairperson to the special session of the Human Rights Council (5 Dec. 2017)
Statement by the Chairperson presenting oral update to the Human Rights Council (19 Sep. 2017)

High Commissioner for Human Rights

High Commissioner for Human Rights

Human Rights Council resolution S-30/1 of 27 May 2021

The Human Rights Council decided that the independent international commission of inquiry shall:

• Investigate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021;
• Investigate all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression based on national, ethnic, racial or religious identity;
• Establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and abuses and of crimes perpetrated;
• Collect, consolidate and analyse evidence of such violations and abuses and of crimes perpetrated, and systematically record and preserve all information, documentation and evidence, including interviews, witness testimony and forensic material, in accordance with international law standards, in order to maximize the possibility of its admissibility in legal proceedings;
• Document and verify relevant information and evidence, including through field engagement and by cooperating with judicial and other entities, as appropriate;
• Identify, where possible, those responsible, with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations are held accountable;
• Identify patterns of violations over time by analysing the similarities in the findings and recommendations with and of previous of United Nations fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry on the situation;
• Make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring legal accountability, including individual criminal and command responsibility, for such violations, and justice for victims; and
• Make recommendations on measures to be taken by third States to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with article 1 common to the Geneva Conventions, and in fulfilment of their obligations under articles 146, 147 and 148 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, including by ensuring that they do not aid or assist in the commission of internationally wrongful acts.

The commission of inquiry will report on its main activities on an annual basis to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly, commencing in June and September 2022 respectively.

The commission will be comprised of three expert members, one of whom shall serve as Chair, appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council. The commission will be supported by a secretariat comprising the necessary expertise for the implementation of the mandate, including professional investigators and legal analysts. The commission of inquiry will gather information from a wide variety of sources, including through travel to the region to meet with witnesses and victims.

In March 2024, the Human Rights Council passed two resolutions, in which it requested the Commission of Inquiry to present reports to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-ninth session in June 2025 on (i) settlers and settler groups involved in acts of terror, violence or intimidation against Palestinian civilians and the actions taken by Israel and third States to ensure accountability for violations of international law (A/HRC/55/L.28); and (ii) the transfer or sale of arms, munitions, parts, components and dual use items to Israel (including those used during the Israeli military operation in Gaza since 7 October 2023) and analyse legal consequences of these transfers, including those related to State responsibility (A/HRC/55/L.30).

See the Terms of Reference of the commission.

Ms. Navy Pillay (South Africa), Mr. Miloon Kothari (India), Mr. Chris Sidoti (Australia)

Documentations

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
27 May 2024 (issued 12 June 2024)
English
Arabic Summary  | Hebrew Summary 

Detailed findings on attacks carried out on and after 7 October 2023 in Israel
10 June 2024 (Issued on 12 June 2024)
English

Detailed findings on the military operations and attacks carried out in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 7 October to 31 December 2023
10 June 2024 (Issued on 12 June 2024)
English

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel 5 September 2023 (Issued on 16 October 2023)
العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español
Hebrew unofficial translation

On 30 December 2022, the General Assembly of the UN adopted resolution A/RES/77/247 in which it requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to give an advisory opinion on the “Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” Pursuant to ICJ procedure, only member states, Palestine as an observer state, and the UN may provide it with written submissions. The Commission has produced this position paper which reflects the legal views of the Commission on the questions presented to the ICJ.
September 2023
English

Detailed findings on attacks and restrictions on and harassment of civil society actors, by all duty bearers
2 June 2023 (Issued on 8 June 2023)
English

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
9 May 2023 (Issued on 8 June 2023)
العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español
Hebrew unofficial translation

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
14 September 2022 (Issued on 20 October 2022) - Map of Israeli Settlements and Related Infrastructure in the West Bank
العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español

Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
9 May 2022 (Issued on 7 June 2022)
العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español

Human Rights Council resolution S-30/1 on ensuring respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel.
https://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/S-30/1

Press Releases

Israeli authorities, Palestinian armed groups are responsible for war crimes, other grave violations of international law, UN Inquiry finds
العربية | English | עִברִית
12 June 2024

Grave violence in Israel and Gaza has outraged the conscience of humanity, UN Commission of Inquiry says
English
27 October 2023

Civilians are the primary victims of increased violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, says the UN Commission of Inquiry
العربية | English | עִברִית
16 October 2023

Commission of Inquiry collecting evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023
العربية | English | עִברִית
10 October 2023

The rights of civil society members are being violated by all entities in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, UN Commission of Inquiry says; Israeli Government restrictions intrinsically linked to occupation
العربية | English | עִברִית
8 June 2023

Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, to hold Public Hearings in Geneva from 20 to 24 March
العربية | English | עִברִית
13 March 2023

Commission of Inquiry welcomes General Assembly resolution requesting an ICJ Advisory Opinion relating to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory
العربية | English
31 December 2022

Commission of Inquiry to hold public hearings in Geneva from 7 to 11 November 2022
العربية | English
1 November 2022

Commission of Inquiry finds that the Israeli occupation is unlawful under international law
العربية | English | עִברִית
20 October 2022

New Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, issues first report
العربية | English | עִברִית
7 June 2022

President of Human Rights Council appoints Members of Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
English
22 July 2021

Statements

Statement by Navanethem Pillay, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Briefing to Member States, Geneva
English
16 April 2024

Remarks by Ms. Navanethem Pillay, Joint briefing of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, to Permanent Missions, International Organizations and Civil Society Organisations in Geneva
English
10 November 2023

Statement by Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, to the General Assembly Third Committee, UN Headquarters, New York
English
24 October 2023

Statement by Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry / 53rd session of the Human Rights Council
English
20 June 2023

Statement by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, to the General Assembly Third Committee, UN Headquarters, New York
English
27 October 2022

Remarks to the Human Rights Council's 50th session, Geneva
English
13 June 2022

Public Hearings

As part of its mandate and its investigations, the Commission of Inquiry held a first series of public hearings from 7 to 11 November 2022, in Geneva. The hearings focused on the closure orders and terrorism designation of a number of Palestinian NGOs, and on the incident surrounding the killing of the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Victims, witnesses, civil society organizations, and legal representatives were invited to provide relevant testimony to the Commission in this forum. From 20 to 24 March 2023, the Commission organized a second round of hearings, in Geneva, which focused on the shrinking space for civil society in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, along with additional testimony on the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. The Commission heard from human rights defenders and activists, women human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, family members of victims, cultural activists, and individuals who have been subjected to, or witnessed, attacks, restrictions and harassment by authorities and non-State actors. Watch the full testimonies here.

Looking the Occupation in the Eye: Testimonies of Palestinians’ Rights Defenders Before a UN Commission of Inquiry
العربية | English

Statement by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel at the closing of public hearings in Geneva
English
24 March 2023

Statement by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel at the opening of public hearings in Geneva
English
20 March 2023

Statement by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel at the opening of public hearings in Geneva
English
7 November 2022

Statement by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel at the closing of public hearings in Geneva
English
11 November 2022

Human Rights Council resolution S-28/1 of 18 May 2018

Mr. Santiago Canton (Argentina) Chair, Ms. Sara Hossain (Bangladesh), Ms. Kaari Betty Murungi (Kenya)

Former member:
Mr David Michael Cane (USA)

Report A/HRC/40/CPR.2 (18 Mar. 2019)
Statement at Human Rights Council, 39th session (24 September 2018)
Report A/HRC/40/74 (6 Mar. 2019)

Human Rights Council resolution S-21/1 of 23 July 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 224-227)

Ms Mary McGowan Davis (United States of America), Chair; Mr. Doudou Diène (Senegal)

William Schabas (Canada) (former Commissioner, Chair; resigned 2 February 2015)

Human Rights Council resolution 19/17 of 22 Mar. 2012 (in A/67/53, pp. 50-53)

Human Rights Council resolutions 13/9 of 25 Mar. 2010 (in A/65/53, pp.101-103); 15/6 of 29 Sep. 2010 (in A/65/53/Add.1, pp. 24-27)

Human Rights Council decides, in the context of the follow-up to the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, to establish a committee of independent experts in international humanitarian and human rights laws to monitor and assess any domestic, legal or other proceedings undertaken by both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian side, in the light of General Assembly resolution 64/254, including the independence, effectiveness, genuineness of these investigations and their conformity with international standards (resolution 13/9)

Human Rights Council decides to renew and resume the mandate of the Committee of independent experts, established pursuant to Council resolution 13/9 (resolution 15/6)

Mr. Christian TOMUSCHAT (Germany), Chair; Ms Mary McGowan DAVIS (USA), Mr. Param CUMARASWAMY (Malaysia) (under resolution 13/9)

Ms Mary McGowan DAVIS (USA) Chair; Mr. Lennart ASPEGREN (Sweden) (under resolution 15/6)

Reports A/HRC/15/50 of 23 Sep. 2010, A/HRC/16/24 of 5 May 2011

Human Rights Council resolution 14/1 of 2 June 2010 (in A/65/53, pp. 160-161)

Human Rights Council resolution S-9/1 of 12 Jan. 2009 (in A/64/53, pp. 153-156)

Human Rights Council resolution S-3/1 of 15 Nov. 2006 (in A/62/53, pp. 85-86)

Commission on Human Rights resolution S-5/1 of 19 Oct. 2000 (in E/2000/112, pp. 4-7)

Reports  and related documents

Security Council resolutions 446 (1979) of 22 Mar. 1979, 452(4979) of 20 July 1979, 465 (1980) of 1 Mar. 1980 

Reports S/13450 of 12 July 1979, S/13679 of 4 Dec. 1979, S/14268 of 25 Nov. 1980

Documents

Human Rights Council resolution 46/1 of 23 Mar. 2021.

In its resolution 46/1 on "Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka", adopted on 23 March 2021, the Human Rights Council recognized "the importance of preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability", and decided to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) “to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction”.

In accordance with this mandate, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights established the OHCHR Sri Lanka accountability project. The team is based in Geneva.

In October 2022, through resolution 51/1, paragraph 8, the Human Rights Council decided to extend and reinforce the capacity of OHCHR in this regard.

In resolutions 46/1 and 51/1, the Human Rights Council also requested OHCHR to continue enhance its monitoring and reporting to the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including on progress in reconciliation and accountability. OHCHR is due to produce a written update at its 54th session and a comprehensive report that includes further options for advancing accountability at the 57th Session of the Council, both to be discussed in the context of an interactive dialogue.

Resolution 51/1 adopted by the Human Rights Council on 6 October 2022 - Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. (A/HRC/RES/51/1)

Questions and answers on OHCHR’s mandate under resolution HRC 46/1: 
English | Sinhala | Tamil 

Terms of Reference of the OHCHR Sri Lanka accountability project:
English | Sinhala | Tamil

More information on the previous OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka (2014-2015)

OHCHR

Documentation

Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka - OHCHR report

High Commissioner's video message on Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka

Report on the Situation of human rights in Sri Lanka – Comprehensive report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/51/5)

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2021 46/1 on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” 

Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” (A/HRC/46/20) 

Oral Update on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, 48th session of the Human Rights Council - Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 1 October 2015 30/1 on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”

Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) (A/HRC/30/CRP.2) 
Sinhala  | Tamil versions 

Human Rights Council resolution 25/1 of 9 Apr. 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 14-17)

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

* Three distinguished experts were invited by the High Commissioner to play a supportive and advisory role to the investigation:
   Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, (Finland), Ms. Silvia Cartwright (New Zealand), and Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan)

Reports A/HRC/30/61 of 28 Sep. 2015 , A/HRC/30/CRP.2 (Advance version)

UN Secretary-General,SG/SM/12967 of 22 June 2010

Mr. Marzuki DARUSMAN (Indonesia) Chair, Ms. Yasmin SOOKA (South Africa), Mr. Steven R.RATNER (USA)

Human Rights Council resolutions 34/26 of 24 Mar 2017, 43/28 of 22 June 2020, 45/21 of 6 Oct. 2020

Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms. Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Mr. Hanny Megally (Egypt)

Former commissioners:
Ms. Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland), Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand), Ms. Yakin Erturk (Turkey) 

Reports:

A/HRC/46/55 - Detention  report (11 Mar. 2021), A/HRC/46/54 (28 Jan. 2020), A/HRC/45/31 (14 Aug. 2020), A/HRC/44/61 (3 Sept. 2020). A/HRC/43/57 (28 Jan. 2020), A/HRC/42/51 (15 Aug. 2019), A/HRC/40/70 (31 Jan 2019), A/HRC/39/65 (9 Aug 2018),  A/HRC/37/72 (1 Feb. 2018) A/HRC/36/55 of 8 Aug 2017, A/HRC/34/64 of 2 Feb 2017, A/HRC/33/55 of 11 Aug. 2016, A/HRC/31/68 of 22 Feb. 2016, A/HRC/30/48 of 13 Aug. 2015, A/HRC/28/69 of 5 Feb. 2015, A/HRC/27/60 of 13 Aug. 2014, A/HRC/25/65 of 12 Feb. 2014, A/HRC/24/46 of 16 Aug. 2013, A/HRC/23/58 of 18 July 2013, A/HRC/22/59 of 5 Feb. 2013, A/HRC/21/50 of 16 Aug. 2012, A/HRC/19/69 of 22 Feb. 2012, A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1 of 23 Nov. 2011

Oral updates and conference room papers of the Commission:

A/HRC/38/CRP.3 (20 June 2018),  A/HRC/37/CRP.3 (8 Mar. 2018) A/HRC/34/CRP.3 (10 Mar. 2017),  A/HRC/32/CRP.2 of 16 June 2016 (Advance version), A/HRC/29/CRP.3 of 23 June 2015, Update of 17 Mar. 2015, A/HRC/27/CRP.3 of 19 Nov. 2014, A/HRC/27/CRP.1 of 16 Sept. 2014, A/HRC/26/CRP.2 of 16 June 2014, Oral update of 18 Mar. 2014, Conference room paper of 19 Dec. 2013, A/HRC/22/CRP.1 of 11 Mar. 2013, Periodic update of 20 Dec. 2012, A/HRC/24/CRP.2 of 13 Sept. 2012, A/HRC/20/CRP.1 of 26 June 2012, Periodic update of 24 May 2012, Update of 16 Apr. 2012

Chemical weapons' attacks documented by the Commission - Infographic (as of Sept. 2017)

Documents

Human Rights Council resolution S-25/1 of 21 Oct. 2016

Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Chairperson, Brazil), Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA), Ms Carla DEL PONTE (Switzerland) (resigned: Press-release of 6 Aug. 2017)

See the current year for Syria

Human Rights Council resolution 31/17 of 23 Mar. 2016

See the current year for Syria

Human Rights Council resolution 28/20 of 27 Mar. 2015 (in A/70/53, pp. 13-17)

See the current year for Syria

Human Rights Council resolution 25/23 of 28 Mar. 2014 (in A/69/53, pp. 190-194)

Human Rights Council resolution 23/1 of 29 May 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 122-123)

Human Rights Council resolution 22/24 of 22 Mar. 2013 (in A/68/53, pp. 76-81)

Human Rights Council resolution 21/26 of 28 Sep. 2012 (in A/67/53/Add.1, pp. 67-70)

Human Rights Council resolution 19/22 of 23 Mar. 2012 (in A/67/53, pp. 62-66)

Human Rights Council resolution S-17/1 of 22 Aug. 2011 (in A/66/53, pp. 29-31)

Human Rights Council decides to dispatch urgently an independent international commission of inquiry, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic, to establish the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable

Human Rights Council resolution S-16/1 of 29 Apr. 2011 (in A/66/53, p. 27-29)

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1.The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently for an additional year through resolution 55/22, which was adopted on 4 April 2024. The Council requested the Commission of Inquiry to present an oral update during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-sixth session, and to present an updated report during an interactive dialogue at both the fifty-seventh and fifty-eight sessions of the Council.

In addition to the Commission’s general mandate, it has also been given special mandates to look into particular events in the Syrian Arab Republic. In 2012, the Human Rights Council requested that the Commission of Inquiry urgently conduct a special inquiry into the events in El-Houleh (resolution S/19-1), in 2016 into the events in Aleppo (resolution S-25/1), in 2018 into the events in eastern Ghouta (resolution 37/1); in 2020 into events in Idlib and its environs (resolution of 22 June 2020) and again in 2020 to prepare a special report on arbitrary imprisonment and detention (resolution 44/21 of 17 July 2020).”

Mr. Paulo PINHEIRO (Chairperson, BRAZIL),  Hanny Megally (Egypt), and Lynn Welchman (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

Former Commissioners

Ms Karen Koning ABUZAYD (USA)

Ms. Carla Del Ponte (Switzerland)

Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand)

Ms Yakin ERTÜRK (Turkey)

Please find the related documents: Reports, statements, and human rights council resolutions from this link.

General Assembly resolution 71/248 of 21 Dec. 2016

UN Secretary-General upon request of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, S/2006/383 
of 13 June 2006

Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Brazil), Chair; Ms. Zelda HOLTZMAN (South Africa), Mr. Ralph ZACKLIN (UK)

Commission on Human Rights resolution S-4/1 of 27 Sep. 1999 (in E/1999/23/Add.1, pp. 4-8)

High Commissioner for Human Rights

General Assembly at the request of the Government of Vietnam A/PV.1239 of 11 Oct. 1963. See paragraphs 170-174 on page 18.

The President of the General Assembly made the following announcement to the General Assembly:

In accordance with the authorization given me by the General Assembly at its 1234th plenary meeting to act on the basis of the letterdated 4 October 1963 from the Head of the Special Mission of the Republic of Viet-Nam conveying the invitation of his Government to have the representatives of several Member States visit Viet-Nam in the near future, I have appointed a mission consisting of the representatives of the following Member States: Afghanistan, Brazil, Ceylon, Costa Rica, Dahomey, Morocco and Nepal

Human Rights Council resolution 36/31 of 29 Sept. 2017; mandate renewed by resolutions 39/16, 42/2, 45/15

Human Rights Council decided to renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts for a further period of one year, renewable as authorized by the Human Rights Council, as follows:
(a) To monitor and report on the situation of human rights, to carry out a comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and other appropriate and applicable fields of international law committed by all parties to the conflict since September 2014, including the possible gender dimensions of such violations, and to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violations and abuses and, where possible, to identify those responsible.
(b) To continue to make general recommendations on improving respect for and the protection and fulfilment of human rights, and to provide guidance on access to justice, accountability, reconciliation and healing, as appropriate;
(c) To engage with Yemeni authorities and all stakeholders, in particular relevant United Nations agencies, the field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner in Yemen, the authorities of the Gulf States and the League of Arab States, with a view to exchanging information and providing support for national, regional and international efforts to promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses in Yemen;
(d) To explore and report on recommended approaches and practical mechanisms of accountability to secure thuth, justice and redress for victims in coordination with relevant mandates of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.

Conference room papers:
A/HRC/45/CRP.7 (29 Sept. 2020) - العربية | English
A/HRC/42/CRP.1 (3 Sept. 2019) 

Reports:
A/HRC/45/6 (28 Sept. 2020); 
A/HRC/42/17 (9 Aug. 2019); 
A/HRC/39/43 (17 Aug 2018)

Oral updates:
2021, 25 Feb. - العربية | English | Français