The event follows the conclusion of an investigation by the UN Workplace of Oversight Providers (OIOS), launched earlier this 12 months after Israel alleged that a number of UNRWA personnel took half within the brutal assault on its territory during which some 1,200 individuals had been killed and one other 250 had been taken to Gaza as hostages.
Nevertheless, OIOS was not capable of independently authenticate info utilized by Israel to help the allegations.
Acceptable measures and terminations
OIOS is the best investigative physique within the UN system and its experiences are confidential however could be made obtainable to Member States upon request.
Investigators made findings in relation to 19 UNRWA employees alleged to have been concerned within the assaults, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York.
“In a single case, no proof was obtained by OIOS to help the allegations of the employees member’s involvement, whereas in 9 different instances, the proof obtained by OIOS was inadequate to help the employees members’ involvement,” he mentioned.
Relating to these10 instances, he mentioned that applicable measures will likely be taken sooner or later, in conformity with UNRWA Rules and Guidelines.
“In respect of the remaining 9 instances, the proof obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA employees members might have been concerned within the armed assaults of seven October 2023. The employment of those people will likely be terminated within the pursuits of the Company,” he mentioned.
Info not authenticated
Requested concerning the extent of the employees members’ alleged involvement, Mr. Haq responded that he didn’t have particular details about the particular allegations.
He mentioned the OIOS investigation concerned visits to Israel for discussions with officers and to see and evaluation info held by authorities there.
The investigators additionally travelled to Amman, Jordan, to acquire and evaluation related info held by UNRWA, together with on its employees and operations.
In addition they reviewed info and communications expertise knowledge, comparable to e mail information and data on company autos, along with info from varied different sources, together with that launched to the media and different public sources, and communications with a number of Member States.
“Nevertheless, one factor I might prefer to level out is that since info utilized by Israeli officers to help the allegations have remained in Israeli custody, OIOS was not capable of independently authenticate a lot of the info offered to it,” he famous.
Parallel probe
The accusations surfaced in January when Israel knowledgeable UNRWA of the alleged involvement of 12 employees members within the assaults. UNRWA immediately recognized and terminated 10, whereas two had been confirmed useless.
The UN later acquired info from Israel about seven extra instances – 5 in March and two in April.
Following the preliminary allegations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres instantly ordered OIOS to research.
He additionally appointed an unbiased evaluation panel to conduct a separate evaluation into UNRWA to find out whether or not the company was doing every part it might to make sure neutrality and to reply to allegations of significant breaches once they come up.
The panel – headed by former French Overseas Minister Catherine Colonna – printed its report in April.
Talking on the time, she mentioned “the algorithm and the mechanisms and procedures in place [at UNRWA] are essentially the most elaborate throughout the UN system, exactly as a result of it’s such a tough problem to work in such a fancy and delicate surroundings.”
UN chief’s opinions
Mr. Haq was requested concerning the Secretary-Normal’s views relating to the OIOS findings.
The UN chief “believes that it is vital that we undergo this very rigorously, given the truth that any involvement in these assaults would represent a significant betrayal of belief,” he mentioned.
“Clearly, there have been actions that had been taken for the good thing about the company that had been very swift and really decisive when it comes to coping with the people who had been named at first, and now it is good to have the entire info obtainable,” he added.
Referring to the Gaza struggle, Mr. Haq additionally underlined the significance of remembering that a “enormous quantity” of UNRWA employees have been taking huge dangers for months, maintaining a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals alive, whether or not in shelters or by offering meals and companies.
“And we need to be sure that the status of our UNRWA employees, our devoted employees, together with about 200 individuals who have misplaced their lives since 7 October, is absolutely acknowledged and that UNRWA will get the help that it wants,” he mentioned.
