International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur

The following is a summary of a public report. The full report can be found on the United Nations website listed in the external links.

The International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur (henceforth the Commission) was established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1564 (2004), adopted on 18 September 2004. The resolution, passed under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, urged the Secretary-General to set up an international commission to investigate human rights violations committed in Darfur. The following month, the Secretary-General appointed a five-member panel of highly regarded legal experts: chairperson Antonio Cassese, Mohammed Fayek, Hina Jilani, Dumisa Ntsebeza and Thérèse Striggner Scott.

The Secretary-General decided that the Commission’s staff would be provided by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms Mona Rishmawi was appointed Executive Director of the Commission and head of its staff. The Commission assembled in Geneva and began its work on 25 October 2004. The Secretary-General requested that the Commission report to him within three months, i.e. by 25 January 2005.^[1]