UN Human Rights Council stands by Goldstone Report

BERLIN – The United Nations Human Rights Council stands by the Goldstone Report despite its author's admission that he now questioned his own findings: UNHRC spokesman Cedric Sapey told Yediot Ahronot Monday that the op-ed written by Richard Goldstone, published in the Washington Post on Friday, expressed the judge's personal opinion and did not represent the other committee members.

Sapey explained that the op-ed was not a formally binding document and therefore the committee was not going to respond to it. He further explained that if Goldstone were to send an official letter to the council president – signed by the rest of the committee members – then the council would take necessary measures.

According to Sapey, another possibility would be to introduce the issue at the next council meeting, by having the committee's member-nations draft a proposal to that effect. 

However, a proposal to debunk the report can only be submitted during the council's general assembly meetings. Debunking the resolution altogether would require either a unanimous vote or a majority vote by the member-nations.

Sapey said the council has not been in touch with Goldstone, or other committee members recently. The Goldstone Committee, which was dispersed after the report was submitted.

The council spokesman emphasized that despite his surprise over Goldstone's op-ed article, he sees no reason for the council to reexamine its course of action or that of its other inquiry committees.

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