(d) The analysis of video and photographic images, including satellite imagery
provided by UNOSAT, and expert analysis of such images;
(e) The review of medical reports about injuries to victims;
(f) The forensic analysis of weapons and ammunition remnants collected at
incident sites;
(g) Meetings with a variety of interlocutors, including members of the diplomatic
community, representatives of the parties concerned, NGOs, professional
associations, military analysts, medical doctors, legal experts, scientists, United
Nations staff;
(h) Invitations, through notes verbales, to United Nations Members States and
United Nations agencies, departments and bodies to provide information
relating to the Mission’s investigation requirements;
(i) The wide circulation of a public call for written submissions from NGOs and
other organizations and individuals interested in bringing information to the
attention of the Mission. As a result, it received numerous submissions from
organizations and individuals from Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory
and elsewhere in the world;
(j) Public hearings in Gaza and in Geneva to hear: (i) victims and witnesses of
violations; and (ii) individuals with specialized knowledge and expertise on the
context and impact of the hostilities.”
(g) Social media
Social media have become an important means of communicating information, and
are a tool often used by civil society. Ordinary people use the networks to provide
others with a window into their lives and their experiences. The networks are also
often used as propaganda tools by opposing groups in a conflict. In addition to
uploading photographs and videos to these sites, these groups also have narratives
on events that could provide valuable information. For example, the Facebook page
of an armed opposition group posted a photograph of a government soldier it had
captured. It provided details such as the soldier’s name, the date and place of his
capture. Further images showed the soldier being beaten, with an explanation that
he was beaten because he refused to provide information about government troops
in the area. A few days later a picture of the same soldier, now dead, was posted on
the Facebook page with a warning that this would be the fate of captured soldiers
who refused to provide information.
48
COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY AND FACT-FINDING MISSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN LAW
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