UN Special Rapporteur Emphasizes Justice and Accountability for Gaza Peace Process

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence, Bernard Duhaime, has emphasized that the peace process in the Gaza Strip must be grounded in principles of justice and accountability. Duhaime warned that the lack of provisions to ensure accountability for serious violations of international and humanitarian law would undermine any peace plan. He noted that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide should never be protected by amnesties, statutes of limitation, or any measures that limit the criminal responsibility of perpetrators.

Key Takeaways:

• Duhaime emphasized that the peace process in the Gaza Strip must be grounded in principles of justice and accountability.
• The absence of provisions to ensure accountability for serious violations of international and humanitarian law would undermine any peace plan.
• Duhaime stressed that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide should never be protected by amnesties, statutes of limitation, or any measures that limit the criminal responsibility of perpetrators.
• He advocated for a clear commitment to justice and a recognition of the dignity of all involved through inclusive dialogue and ensuring the full participation of Palestinians.
• Duhaime emphasized the urgent need to end the occupation and oppression in the Gaza Strip immediately.
• He noted that the governance of Gaza cannot be separated from the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Duhaime highlighted the need for a substantial and long-term transitional justice process that includes truth-telling about violations and the root causes of the conflict, criminal accountability, reparations, memorialization, and robust guarantees of non-repetition.
• He criticized the current ceasefire proposal for lacking clarity on the mechanisms, timelines, and institutional arrangements needed to implement a meaningful transitional justice process.
• Duhaime praised the work of Palestinian and Israeli organizations, journalists, and civil society representatives who document and investigate grave human rights violations.
• He called on the international community to provide legal and institutional protection and support to these actors.

Statistics:

• 13 October 2025: The Gaza Peace Summit was launched, reviving hopes for achieving lasting peace and justice in Gaza and the entire region.
• Duhaime emphasized the need for a substantial and long-term transitional justice process that includes truth-telling about violations and the root causes of the conflict, criminal accountability, reparations, memorialization, and robust guarantees of non-repetition.

Sources:

• (2025, October 16). The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence, Bernard Duhaime. The Kuwait News Agency.