Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights welcomes the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) of the Goldstone report in the Council's 12th special session on 16 October 2009.
The resolution passed with 25 votes in favor, 6 against and 11 abstentions.
Al Mezan commends the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for its serious efforts to ensure the convening of the special session and to ensure the support of other States necessary to adopt the resolution.
Al Mezan also extends its deep appreciation to supportive States, at their forefront Egypt, which worked to ensure the adoption of the report as well as the important role played by Palestinian and international organizations since the beginning of Fact Finding Mission until the HRC voting session.
Al Mezan stresses that while the adoption of the Goldstone report by the UN Human Rights   Council is a major achievement, it is the first step in a long process that should end with bringing the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and those who ordered these crimes, to justice.
  Al Mezan calls upon the PNA, Arab States, Islamic States and all States which support human rights to ensure the Goldstone report is submitted to the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly and the Public Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
Al Mezan emphasizes that unified governmental and nongovernmental efforts are required to ensure the implementation of all the Goldstone report recommendations in order to achieve justice, end impunity and ensure judicial remedy for victims.
Al Mezan stresses that the realization of justice for the Palestinian people requires internal unity and an end to the division which has greatly exacerbated their suffering.
  Ends