Call upon President Obama to stand by his promises: Uphold International Law

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Written by Center For Constitutional Rights Center For Constitutional Rights
Category: News News
Published: 29 September 2009 29 September 2009
Last Updated: 29 September 2009 29 September 2009
Created: 29 September 2009 29 September 2009
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Synopsis

Help put the pressure on our government to stand by its promises. Write or call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and ask President Obama to stand for human rights and accountability. Insist that he support a strong resolution in the Human Rights Council endorsing and implementing Justice Richard Goldstone's Report recommendations and supporting international justice mechanisms if domestic investigations are inadequate. The Report to the U.N. Human Rights Council documents war crimes including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians committed in the context of military operations in Gaza in December 2008-January 2009. You can also write Ambassador Susan Rice of the U.S. Mission to the U.N. or call (212) 415-4062.

Description

This week the international community has a chance to change course in the fight for justice and peace in the Middle East. We need your help to make it happen.

Today, the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, headed by Justice Richard Goldstone, submitted its Report to the U.N. Human Rights Council that documents war crimes including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians committed in the context of military operations in Gaza in December 2008-January 2009. The Report urges the international community to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for serious violations of international law. The Human Rights Council is considering resolutions on the Report’s recommendations this week, which include referral to the Security Council, and in the face of inadequate domestic investigations, eventual referral to the International Criminal Court.

Despite the legitimacy of the Mission, the fairness of its mandate and the soundness of its findings, the Obama administration has said it disagrees with many of the Report’s recommendations and will try to keep the Report in the Human Rights Council. The U.S. is attempting to prevent international investigations into these war crimes, even though just last week, President Obama told the U.N. that “[t]he U.S. stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation -- one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations.” Refusal to support the Report’s recommendations in the Human Rights Council would in fact serve to thwart international cooperation and the enforcement of international law.

Help put the pressure on our government to stand by its promises. Write or call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and ask President Obama to stand for human rights and accountability. Insist that he support a strong resolution in the Human Rights Council endorsing and implementing the Report’s recommendations and supporting international justice mechanisms if domestic investigations are inadequate. You can also write Ambassador Susan Rice of the U.S. Mission to the U.N. or call (212) 415-4062.

Thank you for standing with us during this critical time in the fight for justice for war crimes.

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