A gathering is set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday night, featuring the attendance of high-ranking UN officials and family members of hostages. During the event, a groundbreaking report from the UN special envoy on torture will be unveiled for the first time.
According to Kan Reshet Bet, the report officially acknowledges that Hamas has subjected the hostage families to psychological warfare, classifying it as a breach of international laws governing armed conflicts.
This marks a significant milestone, made possible through the persistent efforts of the legal team at the Hostages’ Families Headquarters, under the leadership of Dr. Shelly Aviv-Yeini.
The Hostages’ Families Headquarters successfully engaged with UN special envoy Alice Edwards, who traveled to Gaza several months ago to meet with affected families. In her findings, Edwards stated that the families endure severe psychological suffering due to the captivity of their loved ones and that Hamas is deliberately inflicting mental anguish upon them.
Within the document, the families are formally recognized as victims of psychological and emotional torment caused by Hamas. This designation provides them with the opportunity to take legal action in international courts, holding Hamas accountable for their distress and seeking financial restitution for the trauma they have endured.
Dr. Aviv-Yeini, a key figure in the legal division of the Hostages’ Families Headquarters, explained, “According to the report, the videos Hamas published of the hostages, which include the use of manipulations intended to confuse family members, constitute torture of family members. The report also mentions that hostage families often experience depression and chronic anxiety, also due to the fact that the governments of the families of the hostages often require them not to speak publicly. The next stage is to try to pass a resolution based on the report, that recognizes the hostage families as victims in the UN Security Council as well.”
{Matzav.com}