A/HRC/16/24 60. In their response, the de facto authorities informed the Committee that their officials did not have access to persons involved in the launching of rockets and mortars into Israel, nor to the sites and victims affected by the rockets. The de facto authorities also indicated that since 30 October 2008 all political prisoners have been released. In an annex, the de facto authorities provided a list of 32 names of political prisoners who have reportedly been liberated. The de facto authorities stated that all persons currently under detention are under criminal investigation or have been sentenced to prison terms. 61. Finally, the de facto authorities provided a list of seven cases related to investigations into allegations of torture, injuries or extrajudicial killings. According to the information, four out of those seven cases were discontinued at the request of the victim.39 Of the remaining three cases, one investigation into ill-treatment is still ongoing and two prison sentences were imposed in relation to killings. The de facto authorities provided a detailed list of those cases, including each victim’s name, the name of the alleged perpetrator, the description of the charges, the date of commencement of the inquiry, the status of the investigation, and the description of the penalties imposed. 62. The Committee acknowledges the de facto authorities’ efforts to provide specific information related to criminal investigations into alleged human rights violations committed by their security forces. The Committee is aware of the fact that it is not uncommon for such cases to be resolved to the satisfaction of the families through out-ofcourt settlements. Nevertheless, the Committee remains concerned that no investigations have been carried out into the launching of rocket attacks against Israel. It considers that the de facto authorities should make genuine efforts to conduct criminal inquiries and to hold accountable those who have allegedly engaged in serious violations of international humanitarian law by firing these rockets. VI. Other issues of concern 63. After nine months of working with the question of the implementation of the FFM report by Israel and the Palestinian side, the Committee considers it opportune to discuss several issues of concern that it has encountered in the implementation of its mandate and that directly relate to the allegation of the FFM report that there is a “justice crisis” that warrants action (A/HRC/12/48, para. 1958; see more generally pp. 1874-1966). A. The current context 64. First, it should be noted that the current situation in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza remains tense. The Committee was informed that during the period between 10 December 2010 and 10 March 2011, 78 rockets and 96 mortars were launched against southern Israel, with the vast majority of these attacks taking place during the afternoon hours.40 While the present report was being prepared, a ship allegedly bound for the Gaza Strip transporting munitions was intercepted by Israel,41 and a family in the West Bank was 39 40 41 Of those four cases, two referred to alleged ill-treatment and two to shooting incidents. Letter to the Committee by the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, dated 15 March 2011. Amos Harel, “Commandos stop boatload of arms headed for Gaza”, Haaretz, 16 March 2011. Available from www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/commandos-stop-boatload-of-arms-headed-forgaza-1.349438. 15