Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories

Mandate

The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories was established in 1968 by General Assembly resolution 2443 (XXIII). The Special Committee’s mandate is extended by the General Assembly on a yearly basis.

The Special Committee is requested by the General Assembly to:

1. investigate Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, especially Israeli violations of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949;
2. consult, as appropriate, with the International Committee of the Red Cross, in order to ensure that the welfare and human rights of the peoples of the occupied territories, including prisoners and detainees, are safeguarded; and
3. investigate the treatment and status of Palestinian and Arab prisoners and detainees, including children, women and elected representatives, in Israeli prisons and detention centres.

In discharge of its mandate, the Special Committee seeks to carry out visits to the occupied territories and holds annual consultations with rights-holders, concerned authorities, diplomats, international and civil society organizations, independent experts, and other stakeholders.

The Special Committee submits annual reports to the Secretary-General and presents them at the General Assembly.

Members

The Special Committee is composed of three Member States: Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka. The Member States are currently represented by:

• Mr. Peter Mohan Maithri Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York (Chairperson);
• H.E. Mr. Ahmad Faisal Muhamad, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York; and
• Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations in New York

The Special Committee’s work is supported by its secretariat in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

Reports

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2023) (A/78/553)

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2022) (A/77/501)

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2021) (A/76/360)

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2020) (A/75/199)

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2019) (A/74/356)

Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (2018) (A/73/499)

Recent news and press releases

End-of-Mission Statement of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (15 July 2022)

UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices denounces violence (14 June 2021)

End-of-mission statement by the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (26 June 2020)

End-of-mission statement of the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices (24 June 2019)

General Assembly resolutions

Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/RES/76/80, adopted 9 December 2021)

Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/RES/75/96, adopted 10 December 2020)

Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/RES/74/87, adopted 13 December 2019)

Webcasts

Oral statement delivered at the 76^th session of the General Assembly (4 October 2021)

Oral statement delivered at the 74^th session of the General Assembly (13 November 2019)