UN human rights body says probe of Gaza flotilla incident is crucial

August 4, 2010
UN Radio
http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/99466.html

A UN Human Rights Council fact finding mission into Israel's raid on a Gaza bound aid flotilla will have a narrower focus than another UN investigation into the incident announced by the UN Secretary General earlier this week.
That is according to the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Ambassador Sihasak told journalists in Geneva that its 3 member team would focus exclusively on violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. From Geneva Claire Doole reports.
Two UN investigations into Israeli defense forces deadly attack on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza may appear confusing. But the President of the UN Human Rights Council says each will have a distinct mission. The Human Rights investigators will focus on the legality of the incident on the 31st May when Israeli commandos stormed the aid convoy resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish activists trying to break an embargo on ships entering Gaza. The President said it was crucial that the Council investigated cases of alleged human rights violations.
"It's a matter of credibility of the Council that when we have an incident, which is perceived as a violation of human rights, then we do have to act."
The investigation announced by the UN Secretary General is expected to have a broader focus, looking at ways of preventing a recurrence of the tragedy. In an unprecedented move Israel has agreed to cooperate with this investigation but has so far refused to work with the UN Human Rights Council fact-finding team.
Claire Doole, UN Radio, Geneva.