A GROUP containing some of the world’s leading judges and human rights advocates has called for a full investigation into alleged abuses of international law during the conflict in Gaza earlier this year.
In an open letter to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the US Security Council, the signatories, who include former president Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, stress the need for an investigation into “all serious violations of international humanitarian law” committed by all parties to the conflict.
The letter, which has been endorsed by Amnesty International, comes as a UN inquiry team is expected to report to Mr Ban on its initial findings regarding attacks on UN facilities and personnel during the 22-day Israeli military offensive.
The signatories – several of whom have led investigations of crimes committed in conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Darfur, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and East Timor – describe how they were “shocked to the core” by the ensuing violence which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
They argue that the UN investigation “should not be limited only to attacks on UN facilities”.
The letter urges world leaders “to send an unfaltering signal that the targeting of civilians during conflict is unacceptable by any party on any count”.
Drawing on their experience of investigating crimes committed in other conflict zones, the signatories say they “have seen at first hand the importance of investigating the truth and delivering justice” and believe it is a precondition for peace in the Middle East.
The letter continues: “Relief and reconstruction are desperately needed but for the real wounds to heal, we must also establish the truth about crimes perpetuated against civilians on both sides”.