Alice Edwards, the UN Human Rights Council– appointed Special Rapporteur on Torture, also condemned the killing of six Israeli hostages earlier this month and called for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts.
About 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel, which also killed more than 1,250 people, including women and children.
There are still 97 hostages missing, believed to be held in Gaza, where a fierce Israeli military offensive has been underway since the attacks.
Threats become more intense as time goes by
“As time goes by, the threats to the lives and well-being of the hostages become greater, and the urgency for action to secure their release and end the war grows,” Ms Edwards said in a statement.
She also expressed “extreme concern” about reports that some female hostages had been victims of sexual violence.
“I believe that only if we can show empathy for all those affected by this terrible armed conflict will peace ever be achieved. Human rights apply to everyone, without distinction of any kind.”
The Special Rapporteur spoke after meeting with released hostages and relatives of persons still missing.
Devastating and painful conflict
Ms Edwards described the ongoing conflict as a “devastating and deeply painful” one, in which tens of thousands of lives have been lost.
“The commission of international crimes of all kinds and by all perpetrators must be fully, independently and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be subjected to the highest penalties,” she said, stressing that all UN member states “must strive to end the torment of both Palestinians and Israelis without further delay.”
The Special Rapporteur has been involved in various aspects of the conflict, including sending messages to the Palestinian Authority and Hamas about the hostages.
She also addressed Israeli authorities over allegations of torture and ill-treatment of detained Palestinians, calling for humane and dignified treatment of these people and their swift release if they are arbitrarily detained.
Independent expert
The Special Rapporteur is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the situation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment worldwide.
Ms Edwards, who has held the position since July 2022, is independent of the UN system and fulfils her individual function. She is not a UN staff member and receives no salary for her work.
