OIC calls on UN Human Rights Council to convene inquiry into Israeli offensive

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has called on the representatives of its member states at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to convene an emergency meeting to discuss Israel’s military offensive against civilians in the Gaza Strip.

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A statement released by the OIC earlier today confirmed that the development is a response to calls made by the Secretary General of the Organisation, Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu. They aim to expedite an application for a fact-finding mission to the area in order to investigate Israeli actions against innocent civilians. A report similar to the UN’s Goldstone Report, which looked at Israel’s Operation Cast Lead against Gaza in 2008/9, is envisaged. That report came out of recommendations made by an emergency meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers.

The statement indicated that the Organisation’s move comes just days after a meeting of Islamic Foreign Ministers was convened in Djibouti where demands were made for the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities for the Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

The same source revealed that Professor İhsanoğlu discussed the situation in Gaza and the need to support Palestinian demands for membership at the UN with EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton on the sidelines of the Djibouti meeting.