A/HRC/22/63 I. Introduction A. Mandate 1. In its resolution 19/17, the Human Rights Council decided to establish an independent international fact-finding mission to investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. 2. On 6 July 2012, the President of the Human Rights Council appointed three highlevel experts as members of the fact-finding mission: Christine Chanet (Chairperson), Asma Jahangir and Unity Dow. B. Terms of reference and methods of work 3. The members of the mission convened for the first time in Geneva in August 2012, and held meetings with the representatives of concerned permanent missions and other relevant stakeholders. The mission adopted its terms of reference in the light of the mandate conferred on it by the Human Rights Council, which it considered had clearly instructed it to investigate all the human rights implications of the Israeli settlements for the Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The mission interpreted its mandate to require it to conduct its investigations within the legal framework of international human rights law, together with other relevant bodies of international law. The mission notes that the Israeli settlements also have other implications, including for the rights of those residing inside the settlements and in Israel. 4. For the purpose of its work, the mission understands ―Israeli settlements‖ to encompass all physical and non-physical structures and processes that constitute, enable and support the establishment, expansion and maintenance of Israeli residential communities beyond the Green Line of 1949 in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (see annex I).1 The mission did not differentiate between ―settlements‖, ―settlement blocks‖, ―outposts‖ or any other structures that have been erected, established, expanded and/or appropriated or any land or natural resources appropriated. 5. Guided by the principles of ―do no harm‖, independence, impartiality, objectivity, discretion, transparency, confidentiality, integrity and professionalism, the mission carefully analysed all available information that it considered relevant and credible. 6. To ensure the greatest availability of such information, the mission issued a public call for written submissions, which it also directly shared with representatives of Israeli settler communities. In response to the call, it received 62 submissions. The mission analysed information received from Governments, intergovernmental organizations, international and national non-governmental organizations, professional bodies, academics, victims, witnesses and the media. The mission did not receive any testimony or submission on an anonymous basis. All information received was treated with due confidentiality. 7. The mission had expected to undertake field visits to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in order to observe directly the situation on the ground. It addressed 1 These include, inter alia, the ―wall‖ (denoting the physical barrier constructed by Israel since 2002); checkpoints, closure obstacles, bypass roads, tunnels and the permit system; legal systems; commercial and industrial infrastructure; and planning and zoning regimes. See annex II. 3