DCI/PS et 11 autres associations (palestiniennes et israéliennes) écrivent...

2009/11/19

Palestinian and Israeli NGOs write to the EU on Goldstone



[RAMALLAH, 19 November 2009] – DCI-Palestine and 11 Palestinian and Israeli organisations sent an open letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and another one to the Presidency of the European Union (EU) concerning their lack of endorsement for the Goldstone report at the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly.

The letters point to inconsistencies between the EU’s commitment to promote human rights, justice and the rule of law and its reluctance to support the Goldstone process towards accountability. The letter expresses the signatories' shared uneasiness, including as recipients of EU aid, regarding their responsibility towards Palestinian society that they are committed to serve and defend.

During an intervention at the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict earlier this year, The Netherlands rightly noted that “abuse really only stops when perpetrators have been brought to justice. Anything short of that means a continuation of the violation of victims’ integrity. This is why ending impunity is a critical element in ending violations and abuses against children. Member States concerned should take effective action to bring to justice individuals responsible for violations of children’s rights”.

Nevertheless, on 16 October 2009, the State voted against the endorsement by the Human Rights Council of the recommendations contained in the report of the Goldstone Mission. Again on 5 November, The Netherlands voted against a UN General Assembly Resolution endorsing the Goldstone report. The EU also consistently failed to show support for the recommendations contained in the report with no consensus reached and many member states ending up voting against or abstaining from voting.

DCI-Palestine repeats its call for full accountability, as impunity for war crimes and other grave human rights violations compromise the promotion of respect for human rights and the rule of law. Without accountability, there will be no serious prospect for peace in the Middle East. Only through justice will the human rights and security of the Palestinian people be realised.