On
21 March 2011, the UN Human Rights Council will discuss the follow up to the
‘Goldstone process’, and in particular the pursuit of criminal accountability
with respect to serious violations of international law committed in the
context of Israel’s 27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009 offensive on the Gaza
Strip, code-named “Operation Cast Lead”.

As
Palestinian human rights organisations with longstanding experience pursuing
accountability and representing the victims of serious human rights and
humanitarian law violations, we have unequivocally concluded that
accountability is impossible at the domestic level.

Without
the intervention of the international community there will be no justice. Those
suspected of committing international crimes will be granted impunity, while
their victims will be denied their fundamental right to an effective remedy.

The
interests of justice demand that the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII
of the UN Charter, refer the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian
territory to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

The
Human Rights Council must do its utmost to ensure this outcome, and make a
clear statement: that human rights apply equally to all people, and that all
those who violate the law will be held to account.