ICHR condemns extrajudicial killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

ICHR condemns extrajudicial killing of journalist Abu Akleh and calls for establishing an international commission of inquiry and holding Israeli war criminals to account 

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) is following up on the crime of extra-judicially killing Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian journalist and Al-Jazeera reporter. This deliberate crime is in breach of international conventions and laws. Abu Akleh was shot in the head by the Israeli occupying force on the Jenin refugee camp on Wednesday morning, 11 May 2022. 

The ICHR condemns this full-fledged crime and holds the Israeli government and occupying forces responsible for it and for the safety of journalist Ali Sammoudi, who was shot in the back. 

The ICHR emphasises that, by this crime, the Israeli occupying forces intend to obscure the truth in the context of the Israeli policy of targeting journalists, masking the reality, and committing crimes in silence. The ICHR calls on the international community to open a fair and comprehensive investigation to expose this crime. 

The ICHR calls for launching an international campaign by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, International Federation of Journalists, Reporters without Borders, and relevant international organisations to hold Israeli war criminals to account. A legal human rights case on this heinous crime will be put together and filed to the International Criminal Court. Legal action will be taken in States with an international criminal jurisdiction, such as Britain, to prosecute Israeli leaders and politicians who publicly incite the murder of Palestinian civilians, including journalists protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention. 

The crime of assassinating journalist Abu Akleh coincides with marking the World Press Freedom Day. 

The ICHR extends its condolences to the Abu Akleh family, Al-Jazeera, and journalists both in Palestine and the entire world.

Date: 11 May 2022

Source: Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights