AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: MDE 02/002/2007 (Public)

News Service No: 141

24 July 2007

Israel/Lebanon: Need for investigation into violations committed during Israel/Hizbullah conflict

Amnesty International today welcomed reportsthat the Winograd Commission, which is looking into the conduct of last year’s 34-day war between Hizbullah and Israel, has given assurances that it will examine Israel's actions in the context of international law. The move comes in response to a request by a Knesset memberfor the Winograd Commission to investigate alleged violations of international law, including war crimes, committed by Israeli forces during the war.

Following the apparent unwillingness on both the Israeli and Lebanese sides to investigate the violations of international law committed by their own forces, Amnesty International called for a comprehensive and impartial UN-led international inquiry to be set up to investigate the conduct of both Israeli forces and Hizbullah fighters – with the aim of ensuring justice and reparation for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators.

A year on from the war, no concrete steps have been taken by either the Israeli or Lebanese judicial authorities to prosecute a single individual for war crimes or other serious violations of international law - including attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure – which were committded by both parties as documented by Amnesty International in three reports it published last year.

The international community has so far lacked the political will to set up an effective inquiry into this war, raising concern about double standards in the approaches of international mechanisms such as the UN Security Council – the main body which would have the mandate to establish an independent inquiry without the agreement of the Israeli and Lebanese sides.

While each side has been quick to condemn the practices of the opposing forces, both have failed to act on their own forces’ violations. So long as this vicious circle is not broken there is little chance of justice for the victims. If the stated commitment of the Winograd Commission is followed by concrete action to impartially investigate the practices of the Israeli forces in last year’s war, this would be a step in the right direction.

Background

The report that the Winograd Commission has given assurances that it will examine Israel's actions in the context of international law can be found in YNet of 24 July – see: http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3429286,00.html )

For previous Amnesty International documents on the Israel/Hizbollah conflict, please see: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/lebanonisrael-documents-eng

And: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE020012007