A/HRC/15/21 Annexes Annex I Human Rights Council international fact-finding mission established under resolution 14/1: International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Flotilla Incident Terms of reference Background 1 On 1 June 2010 at its fourteenth session, the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 14/1, decided “to dispatch an independent international fact finding mission to investigate violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, resulting from the Israeli attacks on the flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian assistance.” 2 On 23 July 2010, the President of the Council, in accordance with paragraph 9 of the resolution, appointed three eminent experts to the Mission: Judge Karl Hudson-Philips (Chair), Sir Desmond de Silva and Ms. Mary Shanthi Dairiam. The members of the Mission formally began their work on 9 August 2010. 3 The Fact-Finding Mission is requested in paragraph 9 of the resolution to report its findings to the Council at its fifteenth session. Interpretation of the mandate 4. The members of the Mission have decided to interpret their mandate as ascertaining the facts surrounding the Israeli interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla to determine whether any violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, took place. 5. In carrying out this mandate, the members of the Mission have indicated to the Council that they would: (a) Focus on the events that took place in international waters on 31 May 2010 as well as the way in which the Israeli authorities dealt with the aftermath of the operation and the repatriation of those participating in the flotilla; (b) Seek to travel to, inter alia, Turkey, Gaza, Israel and Jordan in order to meet with witnesses, officials and non-governmental organizations; (c) Travel to other countries to interview witnesses as may be necessary; and (d) Make all enquiries it considers relevant to the forgoing in order to discharge its mandate. 57