The Sultanate of Oman has called for activating international accountability mechanisms, supporting judicial efforts, and ensuring independent and transparent investigations regarding the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1967 with the aim of holding to account those responsible for violations.

The call was made in a statement delivered by Ambassador Idris bin Abdulrahman Al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva, during an interactive dialogue with the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council.

Oman expressed its deep concern over the findings contained in the Special Rapporteur’s report on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It noted the gravity of the documented violations, including torture and inhuman treatment. It said these constitute serious breaches of international law and require accountability in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

The Ambassador stated that the continuation of these violations without accountability not only entrenches a culture of impunity, but also poses a direct challenge to the credibility of the international system based on the rule of law.

In its statement, Oman renewed its full support for the mandate of Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. It expressed its categorical rejection of any practices that undermine the independence of human rights mechanisms. It also called for enabling UN experts to carry out their mandates freely, with dignity and effectiveness, in a manner that safeguards human rights and strengthens the rule of international law.