STRASBOURG, March 11, 2010 (WAFA)-S&D Group backed the resolution adopted yesterday by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the implementation of the Goldstone recommendations endorsing the UN efforts  to ensure accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law during the Gaza conflict.

S&D Spokesman on Human Rights Richard Howitt said: 'Investigations must be independent, impartial, transparent, prompt and effective on all sides and the EU and its Member States should take into consideration their outcomes, as well as the implementation of the Goldstone recommendations, in their relations with all parties referred to in the Report.”

 'The EP resolution also underlines the importance of the cooperation between official authorities and non-governmental organisations in this context, and calls on all authorities on all sides to refrain from any measures restricting the activities of the NGOs concerned,” he added.

 'International humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected by all parties and under any circumstances in the conflict, and the EU has an obligation to protect and ensure the application of this principle,' Howitt concluded.