GENEVA, October 16, 2009 (WAFA)-  The UN Human Rights Council endorsed the Goldstone report, sending it to the UN General Assembly and secretary-general for further consideration. Human Rights Watch welcomed the endorsement because the Goldstone report establishes the serious violations committed by both sides during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza and presents a road map for accountability.

Yesterday and today at the Human Rights Council special session in Geneva, virtually all governments recognized the seriousness of the Goldstone report and the credible allegations it contains. Practically all delegations called for investigations and emphasized the need for accountability. The US said that calls for accountability “cannot be ignored or deflected.”

“Virtually all governments recognized the seriousness of the allegations in the Goldstone report and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable,” said Julie de Rivero, Geneva director at Human Rights Watch. “Now all eyes are on Israel and Hamas to see whether they conduct credible domestic investigations within the next six months. If they fail, international prosecutions will be required.”