United Nations (UN) Reports on the Palestinian Genocide

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Within the United Nations (UN) system, there are several important reports and authorized bodies concerning the human rights situation in Palestine, apart from Francesca Albanese’s reports.

Francesca Albanese serves as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, a mandate established by the UN Human Rights Council. This is a single, specific mandate. However, within the broader UN system, there are various other reporting and investigative bodies.

Major UN Reporting Bodies Other Than Francesca Albanese

In addition to Francesca Albanese’s individual expert reports, several other UN bodies with broader mandates—especially those focusing on the post-October 7, 2023 period—have produced prominent and authoritative reports.

Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (COI)

This Commission is the most comprehensive and high-level investigative body concerning Palestine.

Focus of the Report:
To investigate all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel since 1967.

Prepared by:
The reports are prepared by a Commission of Inquiry composed of three independent experts. Notable members include:

Navi Pillay (Chair – South Africa, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)
Miloon Kothari (India)
Chris Sidoti (Australia)

Key Findings/Conclusions:
In the latest sessions (as of September 2025), the Commission’s report included findings indicating that Israeli officials committed certain acts defined under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide—such as killings and the infliction of destructive living conditions—in Gaza.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Reports

The OHCHR prepares reports and issues regular statements through the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and his office.

Lead Official:
Current High Commissioner Volker Türk.

Focus:
Monitoring and analyzing the overall human rights situation, including casualties, forced displacement, the rule of law, and accountability mechanisms.

Reports of Other Relevant UN Agencies

Several specialized UN agencies also issue regular reports based on their mandates:

UNICEF: Reports focused on child casualties, injuries, hunger, and the condition of schools.
UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees): Provides reports on refugee camps, humanitarian access, and attacks on UNRWA facilities.
UN Office on Genocide Prevention (Special Adviser): Issues assessments and early warning reports on the risk of genocide.

Conclusion

While Francesca Albanese’s reports represent the expert opinion of a single Special Rapporteur, the reports of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) are the product of a formally mandated investigative body authorized by the UN Human Rights Council, with far broader scope and more systematic methodologies.