Side Event during the UN Human Rights Council’s 16th Session Geneva

Side Event during the UN Human Rights Council’s 16th Session Geneva
Accountability or Impunity? The Goldstone Report and Israeli and Palestinian Investigations Two Years On

4 March 2011

Organized by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, the International Federation for Human Rights, Al-Haq and Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Chaired by Mr. Michel TABBAL, the International Federation for Human Rights

Participants:
• Mr. Daragh MURRAY, Legal Officer, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
• Ms Natalie TABAR, Legal Research and Advocacy Officer, Al-Haq

The discussion focused on:
• The status and outcome of domestic investigations to date
•  Individual criminal responsibility in relation to international crimes
• The important role of accountability and justice in establishing peace and stability

Mr. Daragh Murray started with presenting an overview of relevant aspects of the Israeli criminal system, such as the issue of how investigations are conducted. He raised several problematic features of this system, including the dual role of the Israeli Military Advocate General being involved in both planning Operation Cast Lead, and for initiating investigations concerning that operation in the operation’s aftermath. Mr Murray emphasized the need for the UN Human Rights Council to not focus too much on the technical details of international humanitarian law, but also see it in a more concrete manner that can have an actual effect on the ground, and make a difference for the victims.

Ms. Natalie Tabar gave an overview of the situation in Gaza and on the West Bank and raised problematic factors that are worsening the situation, such as the continued policy of closure of Gaza and the undefined border zones. She emphasized the lack of accountability of the killings of Palestinian civilians, and stressed the importance of the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council to take action. She stressed the importance of a strong message against the violations from the international community and the UN Human Rights Council.