New York, 24 January 2024: Upon invitation from the Government of Israel, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, will conduct an official visit to Israel to gather information on sexual violence reportedly committed in the context of the attacks of 7 October 2023 and their aftermath. The mission of the Special Representative aims to give voice to survivors, witnesses, recently released hostages and those affected; to identify avenues for support, including justice and accountability; and to gather, analyze and verify information to inform reporting to the Security Council in the exercise of her mandate. The Special Representative will also visit the occupied West Bank where she will meet with the Palestinian Authority, civil society organizations, recently released detainees and other relevant actors.
The mission is neither intended nor mandated to be investigative in nature, a mandate which is vested in other entities of the United Nations’ system, which have expressed their willingness and availability to investigate.
The visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank is due to commence on 29 January and will conclude in early February. It will include a technical component to gather, analyze and verify relevant information regarding allegations of conflict-related sexual violence to inform the mandate’s political advocacy and reporting. To this end, Special Representative Patten will be accompanied by technical experts with expertise in safe and ethical interviewing of victims and witnesses of sexual violence, on the interpretation of medical and forensic information, and on the analysis of open source and digital information.
The scope and parameters of the visit have been discussed with the relevant authorities with an understanding reached that such a visit is contingent on the ability to operate impartially and independently, which includes unimpeded and confidential access to relevant interlocutors and information. The visit will adhere to UN methodologies and standards including a survivor-centered approach in terms of respecting security, confidentiality and informed consent, as part of “do no harm” principles. The Special Representative will brief the press on the findings in mid-February upon return of the full team to New York, allowing for sufficient time to analyze and process the information obtained.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Email: [email protected]
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