Palestinians win UN Human Rights vote

16/10/09 14:09 CET

world news

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Richard Goldstone’s potentially explosive human rights report for the UN on Israel and the Palestinians has been adopted by the UN’s Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.

Goldstone examined charges of war crimes committed by both Hamas and the Israeli army during last winter’s fighting in the Gaza strip. A French attempt to delay the vote was defeated. The 47 current members were 25 in favour, six against, with 11 abstentions. The Palestinian-supported resolution entirely endorsed the South African judge’s recommendations but concentrated on Israel. It calls for an end to Israeli works and access restrictions around Jerusalem’s sacred sites, and the collective punishment” of Palestinians in Gaza from border closures and the economic blockade. The resolution was jointly drafted along with Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tunisia.More about: Israel, Palestinian Territories, United Nations

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