Explanation of Vote 
on 
Draft Resolution A/64/L.48 on the Goldstone Report 

February 26, 2010

SWITZERLAND:  Mr. President, Switzerland, as the depository of the Geneva Convention, will work in order to carry out the recommendations made to it in resolution 64/10.  We have already given an account of the progress of the initial consultations to the Secretary General of the United Nations in report A/64/651.  
The resolution which has been adopted today by the General Assembly is an indication for Switzerland to continue its endeavors here.  A second round of consultations, which will be open to all contracting parties and other interested parties, will commence in the margins of the third session of the Human Rights Council.  
Switzerland believes that a conference of the high contracting parties should be inclusive and its purpose should be to enhance the observance of international humanitarian law and not to repeat political discussions for which there are other fora [sic].  Switzerland will in its consultations be inspired by the concern to protect civilians populations and the need to ensure that their humanitarian needs and security requirements be satisfied.  
These are a cause of grave concern in current circumstances.  We remind the other contracting parties and interested parties how important it is for them to contribute and cooperate during the course of these consultations on the purposes and results expected to emerge from the conference.