Ref: 33/2022

Date: 18 November 2022

Between 14-15 November 2022, PCHR participated in a roundtable organized by the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on crimes against and affecting children. The event took place in The Hague, Netherlands.

Representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), including from Palestine, participated in the roundtable and discussed many different aspects related to children’s right including ways of improving cooperation and communication between the OTP and CSOs.

PCHR, represented by its International Advocacy Officer, Basel Alsourani, thanked the OTP for its invitation to attend the roundtable and stressed on the need for organizing more similar events in the future.

PCHR provided an overview of the situation of children rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip. PCHR also urged the OTP to expedite its investigation into the situation in the State of Palestine in light of the increasing attacks of the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians and civilian objects as well as Palestinian civil society organizations and to issue public statements when grave violations occur as a show of solidarity and support for the victims.

PCHR also stressed on the need for the OTP to avoid actions which can help in providing perceptions of double standards and selectivity in the way the OTP handles its investigations and called on the ICC prosecutor to provide equal treatment and attention to the situation in the State of Palestine including the budget allocated for the investigation into the situation of Palestine.