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Members of un human rights probe into Gaza conflict meet in geneva

January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

Members of UN human rights probe into Gaza conflict meet in Geneva

Boy in Gaza

A Palestinian boy amidst the debris of a destroyed house in Gaza City
4 May 2009 – The independent team of investigators tasked by the United Nations with examining alleged human rights abuses and violations of international law during the recent conflict in Gaza began a week-long meeting in Geneva today to prepare for a fact-finding mission to the region.
The UN Human Rights Council established the fact-finding mission into Israel’s three-week long military offensive in Gaza, which had the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks on its territory and left at least 1,300 Palestinians dead and some 5,300 injured.

The heavy bombardment and fighting also reduced homes, schools, hospitals and marketplaces to rubble.

The four-person team, led by the former prosecutor for International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, Richard Goldstone of South Africa, will hold discussions this week with representatives of Israel and Palestine, as well as other relevant Member States, civil society, and UN agencies.

The other members of the team include Christine Chinkin, Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science at the University of London; Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and former Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders; and Colonel (retired from the Irish Armed Forces) Desmond Travers, member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for International Criminal Investigations (IICI).

This fact-finding mission is separate from the UN Board of Inquiry, led by Ian Martin of the United Kingdom, which is probing incidents involving death and damage at the world body’s premises in Gaza during Israel’s military operation.

Sourced UN News Service 4 May 2009

Bipartisan attack on international humanitarian law

January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Stephen Zunes

(source: Foreign Policy In Focus)

In a stunning blow against international law and human rights, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Tuesday attacking the report of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict. The report was authored by the well-respected South African jurist Richard Goldstone and three other noted authorities on international humanitarian law, who had been widely praised for taking leadership in previous investigations of war crimes in Rwanda, Darfur, the former Yugoslavia, and elsewhere.

Since this report documented apparent war crimes by a key U.S. ally, however, Congress has taken the unprecedented action of passing a resolution condemning it. Perhaps most ominously, the resolution also endorses Israel’s right to attack Syria and Iran on the grounds that they are "state sponsors of terrorism."

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Goldstone and Gaza

January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By JIMMY CARTER

(source: NewYork Times)

Judge Richard Goldstone and the United Nations fact-finding mission on the Gaza conflict have issued a report about Gaza that is strongly critical of both Israel and Hamas for their violations of human rights. On Wednesday, a special meeting of the U.N. General Assembly began a debate on whether to refer the report to the Security Council.

In January 2009 rudimentary rockets had been launched from Gaza toward nearby Jewish communities, and Israel had wreaked havoc with bombs, missiles, and ground invading forces. Judge Goldstone’s claim is that they are both guilty of “crimes against humanity.” Predictably, both the accused parties have denounced the report as biased and inaccurate.

It is good to remember that Judge Goldstone, from South Africa, is one of the world’s most widely respected jurists, with an impeccable record of wisdom, honesty and integrity. He is a devout Jew and has long been known as a fervent defender of Israel’s right to peace and security.