The mandate for the Inquiry was initially established by UNHRC Resolution S/9-1 (A/HRC/S-9/L.1, 12 January 2009) which decided (at paragraph 14) to conduct ?an urgent, independent international fact-finding mission ? to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the occupying Power, Israel, against the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, due to the current aggression.?
On 3 April 2009, the President of the UNHRC announced that the Inquiry would have a mandate
to investigate all violations of international law. With what authority did he over-ride his Council? Why was it necessary?
No wonder several experts invited to serve on the Inquiry refused because they considered the mandate one-sided. (LA Times, April 8 2009, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-goldstone8-2009apr08,0,5260353.story |
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