Through agent of her fiance, George Clooney, the British-Lebanese human rights lawyer denies reports that she will serve on inquiry commission

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Amal Alamuddin, the British-Lebanese human rights lawyer who is engaged to George Clooney, has turned down a United Nations offer to investigate war crimes in Gaza.



The UN’s Geneva-based Human Rights Council announced on Monday that she would serve on a three-member commission of inquiry looking into possible violations of the rules of war during the Israeli offensive against Hamas.

But hours 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,” said the statement.

“I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning. I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments – including eight ongoing cases – unfortunately could not accept this role. I wish my colleagues who will serve on the commission courage and strength in their endeavours.”

According to the Associated Press, which first reported the appointment – a story run by the Guardian, among others – Gabon ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella, who is president of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council, made the announcement of her appointment.

The report said Alamuddin would serve alongside Doudou Diene of Senegal, a lawyer who has filled UN posts on racism and human rights in Ivory Coast, and Canada’s William Schabas, an international law professor at Middlesex University in London.

The UN’s top human rights body did not immediately respond to a request for clarification over why it announced the inclusion of Clooney’s fiancee.

Rosenfield told the Guardian he had little to add to Alamuddin’s statement. The UN contacted her by phone, he believed, and he said she was surprised by the subsequent press reports about the apparent appointment. “That’s why she responded so quickly.”

The Beirut-born barrister, who is fluent in French and Arabic, has represented Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, and Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister of Ukraine.

A graduate of St Hugh’s College at Oxford and New York University School of Law, Alamuddin, 36, works out of the Doughty Street Chambers in London, specialising in human rights and international law.

According to the chambers’ website, she has served as counsel to the inquiry led by UN special rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, Ben Emmerson QC, into the use of drones, and as an adviser to Kofi Annan.

Her engagement to Clooney, 52, was announced in April. The star of Ocean’s Eleven has campaigned for liberal causes in the US and human-rights causes abroad, notably in Darfur.

Navi Pillay, the UN’s top human rights official, accused Israel of not doing enough to protect civilians in Gaza and suggested war crimes may have been committed. She also accused Hamas of “indiscriminate attacks” on Israel.

Hollywood, which has close ties to Israel, has remained largely mute on Gaza. The few who have criticised Israel, such as Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rihanna, have been strongly rebuked by other celebrities, prompting several to backtrack.

Sam Asi, a Hollywood-based Palestinian reporter for the BBC and UK Screen, contrasted the reticence over Gaza with the Arab spring, when artists condemned oppressive regimes.

“Now, they shrink when I mention Gaza, claiming that they don’t understand what is going on. No one dares say anything. Supporting freedom for Palestinians or empathising with the suffering in Gaza, one risks being labeled antisemitic.”

He pressed one star, a Unicef ambassador, about the death of children, but she declined, said Asi, “saying that she is no expert on this matter and doesn’t want her words to be misinterpreted”.