24/08/2010 17:39
UN fact-finding mission on Gaza flotilla heads to Turkey
The UN human rights inquiry into Israel’s deadly raid on the international pro-Palestinian flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, has begun a two-week visit to Turkey and Jordan to interview witnesses and government officials, the UN said on Monday.
The three-member fact-finding mission appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council flew to Turkey on Sunday and will stay there until August 29, and then will travel to Jordan until September 4.
Technical and legal experts are accompanying the mission which intends to inspect the ship Mavi Marmara in which nine Turkish passengers died, United Nations Radio said citing a UN source in Geneva.
Before, the mission spent two weeks in Geneva, drafting its terms of reference and holding meetings with different Permanent Missions, including with the Turkish and Israeli Ambassadors.
In line with Human Rights Council's resolution, the mission will present its report at the next session of the Council in September.
On May 31 Israeli commanders raided the international pro-Palestinian flotilla which tried to break an embargo on ships entering Gaza to deliver aid. The raid left 9 Turkish activists dead (one of them was the American citizen of Turkish origin) and raised waves of protests against Israel and its policy towards Palestinians. Turkey has recalled its Ambassador back from Israel and demanded on international investigation into the attack and compensations. Once close allies, relations between Turkey and Israel are at an all-time low.