La Rappresentante speciale del Segretario Generale per la violenza sessuale nei conflitti, Pramila Patten, chiede il rilascio immediato, sicuro e incondizionato degli ostaggi rimasti dopo 75 giorni di prigionia di Hamas
New York, 21 December 2023: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, remains gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of the hostages, especially the 15 women, still held by Hamas after 75 days of captivity and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
“This week I met with the mother of one of the young women taken hostage who shared with me the pain and sense of despair and helplessness that families are facing as they wait for the return of their loved ones. The toll of this war on innocent civilians, on both sides, is too high and must end. We know that in circumstances of abduction or detention, women especially are at a heightened risk of different forms of violence, including sexual violence. Therefore, I call upon Hamas to release the remaining hostages, especially the 15 women, immediately and unconditionally. I urge States, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, and women’s rights organizations to join me in that demand,” said Special Representative Patten.
All forms of sexual violence and the taking of hostages are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian and human rights law. Accordingly, all the horrific reports of sexual violence allegedly committed by Hamas on 7 October must be promptly and rigorously investigated, and the United Nations reiterates its readiness to independently investigate any such violations. A wide range of stakeholders in Israel, including first responders and forensic experts, have already started documenting acts of sexual violence and their work will serve as an important basis for such investigations and for judicial accountability in the future. “Pending any such investigation, we cannot wait to raise the alarm, and to declare unequivocally that sexual violence should never, under any circumstances, be used as a tactic of war or terror. The failure to acknowledge and investigate such crimes is the surest sign that violations will continue unabated,” added Special Representative Patten.
Special Representative Patten also notes with serious concern the unprecedented humanitarian nightmare in Gaza, with the year 2023 ending as one of the deadliest in the history of the conflict, with thousands of civilian casualties especially among women and children. She reiterates the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and further calls for urgent humanitarian assistance and protection to the civilian population in line with international humanitarian and human rights law.
Per saperne di più: https://press.un.org/en/2023/ga12577.doc.htm