GENEVA, March 23, 2010 (WAFA)- The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), addressed Monday and Tuesday the 13th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
PCHR reiterated their endorsement of the Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (the Goldstone Report), and stressed that the true importance of this Report lay in its recommendations, which detailed specific steps to be taken to end impunity. It is essential that these recommendations be implemented, and that the rule of international law be enforced.
In addressing the follow-up session to Resolutions S-12/1 & S-9/1, Mr. Daragh Murray, International Legal Officer at PCHR, focused on the prevailing system of impunity with respect to Israel's actions. He stressed that, in the 15 months since Israel ended its offensive on the Gaza Strip, and the six months since the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly demanded investigations, nothing has happened. Only 3 low-level Israeli soldiers have been indicted. A full analysis of Israel's investigative and judicial process is detailed in PCHR's Report, 'Genuinely Unwilling: Israel's Investigations into Violations of International Law including Crimes Committed during the offensive on the Gaza Strip, 27 December –January 18, 2009'.
Mr. Murray stressed that investigations which persist for a long period of time, or are deemed generally inadequate, serve but one purpose: the perpetuation of a system of impunity. The illegal reality established by Israel, denies victims' legitimate rights to the equal protection of the law and an effective judicial remedy; it also undermines the rule of international law, with devastating far reaching consequences.
PCHR urged the Human Rights Council to request that the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, refer the situation in the oPt and Israel to the International Criminal Court. Concurrently, all States must be requested to fulfil their obligations with respect to the exercise of universal jurisdiction. Impunity cannot be allowed to persist.
Addressing the Council under Agenda Item 7, Mr. Murray stated that the last year and a half have arguably been the worst in the history of the occupation. Detailing the worsening human rights situation in the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Mr. Murray stressed that this is the resultant reality when human rights and international law are sacrificed in the pursuit of elusive 'political progress'.
Mr. Murray reiterated that human rights and international law are the central components of a just and sustainable peace, and requested that they be recognized as such.
