Gaza: Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, has criticized Israel for instructing its soldiers to 'cover or blur their faces before posting videos', calling the directive a tacit acceptance of potential war crimes, as reported by Anadolu Agency. "Instead of advising its soldiers not to commit crimes, what (Israel) is saying is 'cover your faces or blur your face before posting videos or try to get lawyers,'" Albanese told Anadolu, slamming the Israeli army's approach as "shocking."
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Albanese stated, "This is first of all an admission that crimes might be committed by Israeli soldiers." She emphasized the importance of universal jurisdiction as a tool for justice, highlighting its role in holding individuals accountable for serious crimes like genocide and war crimes, regardless of where they occur.
"Universal jurisdiction is a powerful tool to bring justice where everywhere, everything else has failed," said Albanese. "And it's still retributive justice is necessary because it gives a signal to those who exercise power and force that they are not immune from the application of the law." This legal principle allows states or international organizations to prosecute individuals for serious crimes, underscoring the global commitment to justice and accountability.