Gaza conflict: the UN Human Rights Council should endorse the recommendations of Goldstone’s report

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urges the Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution endorsing the conclusions of the report by the fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict particularly the recommendations which emphasize the need for accountability. FIDH indeed believes that the prosecution of persons responsible on both sides for serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law would contribute to ending such violations, to the protection of civilians and to the restoration and maintenance of peace.

"The EU members States and the US should now demonstrate their commitments to address all human rights situations, wherever they occur. They should ensure accountability for the perpetrators and justice for all the victims", said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President.

FIDH recalls that, based on Mr Goldstone’s own declared intentions of impartiality and professionalism, the President of the Human Rights Council accepted to broaden the mandate of the fact-finding mission to all allegations of war crimes and serious human rights violations related to the conflict committed on all sides. .

FIDH and its member organizations in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have constantly reaffirmed that the grave human rights violations should not remain unpunished and those responsible for their perpetration should be prosecuted. In this regard, they expect both the Government of Israel and the responsible Palestinian authorities to respond to the substance of the report’s findings.

FIDH fully endorses the view that the prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of
international humanitarian law would contribute to ending such violations, to the protection of
civilians and to the restoration and maintenance of peace and calls upon the UN Security Council to endorse the recommendations contained in the report.

FIDH recalls that if the parties to the conflict fail in their obligation to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violations, then it is necessary to support the establishment of international justice mechanisms that will ensure the process of accountability.

Read more