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Clooney's fiancee turns down UN Gaza probe job

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Clooney's fiancee turns down UN Gaza probe job
George Clooney with fiancee Amal Alamuddin: her announced appointment to the UN probe was premature. Photo: AFP

Hollywood star George Clooney's fiancee Amal Alamuddin has declined her nomination to join a commission probing Israel's Gaza offensive, the head of the UN Human Rights Council said on Tuesday.

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In a statement, Baudelaire Ndong Ella said that the Lebanese-born British lawyer had cited "prior professional commitments and regrets that the commission will not benefit from her expertise in the field".
   
Ella, who this year holds the rotating presidency of the top United Nations rights forum, had on Monday named Alamuddin to the three-member commission of inquiry.

But a short time later Clooney’s Hollywood agent, Stan Rosenfield, issued a statement on Alamuddin’s behalf, saying she had declined the post because she was too busy.

“I am horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, particularly the civilian casualties that have been caused, and strongly believe that there should be an independent investigation and accountability for crimes that have been committed,” Alamuddin said in the statement.

“I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning," she said.

"I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments — including eight ongoing cases — unfortunately could not accept this role."

She added: "I wish my colleagues who will serve on the commission courage and strength in their endeavours.”
   
Ella said that he had approached a "number of individuals" as potential candidates before making the announcement, and that Alamuddin had several hours later said that she was not in a position to accept the role.
   
Despite Alamuddin's decision, the commission of inquiry is now operational, Ella said, adding that he would "decide on the way forward".
   
The commission will be led by Canadian international lawyer William Schabas, and also include Doudou Diene of Senegal, who has previously served as the UN's watchdog on racism and on post-conflict Ivory Coast.
   
The UN Human Rights Council ordered the Gaza investigation on July 23rd, in the face of fierce opposition from Israel and the United States.
   
The decision came during a marathon seven-hour emergency session of the 47-nation council, where Israeli and Palestinians delegates traded accusations over each sides' alleged war crimes.
   
The probe team has been tasked with reporting back to the council by March.
   
Alamuddin's family, who are from Lebanon's Druze community, fled to Britain during the country's 1975-1990 civil war.
   
The 36-year-old, who is fluent in Arabic, French and English, is reportedly due to wed 53-year-old Clooney in Italy in September.
   
News that she had stolen the heart of one of Hollywood's most celebrated bachelors caused a global media frenzy back in April.
   
Alamuddin is well versed in international conflict probes.
   
She worked with the international tribunal examining the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, and assisted ex-UN head Kofi Annan in efforts to make peace in Syria.
   
Among her legal clients have been Ukraine's former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and controversial Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

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