In Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, ASF runs a project that aims at fostering respect for international humanitarian law in the area, through education and support activities for the benefit of Israeli and Palestinian lawyers. ASF is convinced that law must serve as a basis for dialogue in this context and that respect for the rule of law and international law is an unavoidable element on the path towards a just and sustainable solution to the conflict.

 

(More to come on this project in the future.)

 

* * * *

 

Following the events in the Gaza Strip at the close of 2008 and in January 2009, lawyers from different origins, including Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, drafted a public letter in order to call, in particular, for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry, with a mandate to investigate war crimes and capable of gathering evidence of individual criminal responsibility. The signatory lawyers also call for respect for international humanitarian law in general terms and ask for all measures of collective punishment to be lifted.

 

This letter, which was circulated for signature through a network of lawyers supported by ASF, is available in English, Arabic and French. (Defence) lawyers who are interested to have their name added to the list of signatories may send their request to the ASF Desk Officer tgraditzky@asf.be.

 

 

* * * *

 

ASF strongly hopes that the international community will take steps in view of ensuring respect for international humanitarian law in the area, as required in particular under Common Article 1 of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. ASF published a press release on 13^th January 2009 calling for respect for the Security Council’s Resolution S/RES/1860 of January 8^th 2009, and for an immediate ceasefire. This press release also included a demand of an independent international inquiry which can establish whether breaches of international law have been committed and to highlight responsibilities.

 

Avocats Sans Frontières declares not to be directly involved in actions taken regarding the International Criminal Court and relating to the Israel/Palestine context.

 

ASF is not related to Me William Goldnadel who also uses the name of Avocats Sans Frontières and insists on marking its distance from Mr Goldnadels' actions and positions.