State Department: Participate in Gaza international investigation

I sent the following letter in the mail today to the office of “War Crimes Issues” in the state department. It’s a relatively small office that includes 12-18 staffers, in addition to Mr. John Clint Williamson the ambassador-at-large. Mr. Williamson reports directly to Secretary Clinton.

Dear Mr. Williamson


The 2007 Advancing Democratic Values Act calls on your office, the office of the War Crimes Issues, to “help collect information on incidents that may be crimes against humanity, genocide, slavery or other violations of international humanitarian law”. The law also directs your office to help ensure that “those responsible for crimes against humanity, genocide, slavery or other violations of intentional humanitarian law are brought to account for such crimes in an appropriately constituted tribunal”.


I’ve been following the calls of a number of international human rights organizations for an “impartial international investigation” into allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law and other laws of war by Israel and the Palestinian armed groups during the recent conflict in Gaza. Two of these organizations; Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are explicitly recognized as an authoritative resource on such matters on your own website
(www.state.gov/s/wci/ngo)


The United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, and the United Nation’s Human Rights Council have also called for an international investigation in Gaza.


I urge you to meet your mandated responsibilities by both supporting these calls for an international investigation in Gaza/Israel and sending a representative from your office to serve as an active member of any international investigation team. The State Department's participation will ensure that the investigation’s results are balanced and professional.


Best
Raed Jarrar

You also can contact the office of War Crimes Issues at their general number:

(202) 647-5072

or you can send them a letter in the mail at the following address:


U.S. Department of State
Office of War Crimes Issues 7419A
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520