“The essence of childhood has been destroyed”

Chris Sidoti, member of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, East Jerusalem and Israel will present the Commission’s latest report regarding Israel's systematic destruction of childhood in Palestine.

Drawing on rigorous research and evidence, Commissioner Sidoti will outline what has been documented, what international law demands, and why these conclusions are imperative for anyone committed to justice and human dignity.

This presentation will be followed by Dr Mitchell outlining her first-hand experiences during her recent placement in Gaza. Having cared for children and families under siege, this presentation will outline the lived reality behind the reports, bearing witness to the human cost of war and the urgent need for medical access and accountability.

Our speakers:

Chris Sidoti is a leading human rights advocate and legal expert. He served as Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1995-2000), Australian Law Reform Commissioner (1992-1995) and was the founding Director of the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1987-1992). Internationally, he was a member of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (2017-2019) and is currently a Commissioner on the UN Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

Dr Ruth Mitchell is a paediatric and adult neurosurgeon on Gadigal Land in Sydney Australia. She is a passionate medical educator, and an advocate for global access to safe surgery. She is also an international public speaker on peace, security and equity, a leader in the anti-nuclear movement, and a campaigner for diversity and inclusion in surgery and science. Dr Mitchell has been a member of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War since her first year of medical school. She chairs the board of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Nobel Peace Prize 1985) and has provided leadership to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Nobel Peace Prize 2017) since its inception in 2007. She served on a medical mission to Gaza earlier this year with the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA).

Principal national sponsors of Association for the Promotion of Internationa Law events are Amnesty International Australia and the ANU Law School. Local supporters of this Dharawal/Wollongong event are the South Coast Labour Council, Wollongong Friends of Palestine, Wollongong against War and Nukes and the University of Wollongong (Future of Rights Centre). 

Come from 5:45 pm for a 6:30 pm start and stay on afterwards for a complimentary supper with Commissioner Sidoti and Dr Mitchell after the event. Or if you can't make it in person, book at Live Stream ticket.

Ticket prices are to cover costs. All surplus funds will be donated to the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association to support their vital humanitarian work in Palestine.