New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, Justice S Muralidhar, has been appointed Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem and Israel. His selection places an Indian jurist at the forefront of one of the United Nations’ highest-profile human-rights investigations amid the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict.
The appointment was formally announced by UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) President Ambassador Jürg Lauber on Thursday.
To Lead a Three-Member Global Inquiry Panel
Justice Muralidhar will head a three-member Commission, working alongside –
- Florence Mumba (Zambia)
- Chris Sidoti (Australia)
The panel has been tasked with reviewing alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human-rights law by all parties involved in the conflict.
Mandate Established Under UNHRC Resolution S-30/1
The Commission was established in May 2021 through UNHRC Resolution S-30/1, following escalating violence in the region. Unlike traditional UN fact-finding missions with a fixed timeframe, this Commission holds an ongoing mandate, allowing it to –
- Investigate rights violations and abuses in Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel
- Examine root causes of recurring violence and instability
- Assess issues of systemic discrimination based on identity, ethnicity, race, or religion
- Recommend measures for accountability and prevention of future violations
This continuous mandate makes it one of the most expansive and influential inquiry bodies under the UN system.
A Significant International Role for an Indian Jurist
Justice Muralidhar, widely respected for his jurisprudence on constitutional law, civil liberties, gender justice, and human rights, has previously served as –
- Chief Justice, Orissa High Court
- Judge, Delhi High Court
- Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court
His leadership of the Commission is seen as a major recognition of India’s judicial expertise in international human-rights frameworks.
Commission’s Work Highly Watched Amid Ongoing Conflict
Given the scale of civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and allegations by both sides, the Commission’s findings will be closely monitored by governments, international organizations, human-rights groups, and legal institutions worldwide.
Justice Muralidhar’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as the Israel-Palestine conflict continues to escalate, making the Commission’s work central to global human-rights accountability debates.
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