Justice Richard Goldstone

I'm not all doom and gloom, as has been suggested ... *chuckle*

Credit where it is due, and Justice Richard Goldstone certainly does deserve recognition. I must add my own experience with the man, a unique one i think.

I was working in broadcasting, and we got the contract to record the constitutional court in session. The courtroom was tiny, befoe they moved into their current offices, and the justices were arranged in a semi circle in front of the seating area. I was positioned stage right, one of three cameras.

My position and direction placed me directly opposite this great man, and when the camera was in "rest" position, was aimed at his seating place. He in turn used the camera lens (i think) as a sort of "empty focus" place, while listening to the arguments being presented. So, over a number of weeks, i ended up staring at him, and he at me. Thankfully it was a blank stare, but i can confirm the depths in that man's gaze. I certainly would never wish to be presented before him on a criminal charge.

It sparked an interest in him, that led me to follow him since, and to trace his history, and judgements over the years. Someone indeed worthy of respect, who gave the Bosnian trials credibility, through his unimpeachable morality and judicial wisdom.

I was going to post the whole story, but then ended up waffling as i have, but this needs to be reprinted, and etched into history, that there are in fact men worthy of the name, despite all the others who make us doubt that, sometimes.

Quote from SA Good News:
"As Chief Prosecutor of the UN International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, Justice Goldstone displayed a mature, meticulous, and measured exercise of his mandate that reanimated the enterprise of international justice, bringing both a degree of resolution to victims and a new model for the prosecution of crimes against humanity," said MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton, who presented the Award in The Hague.

"Insisting on the independence of the counsel and judges, a transparent establishment of the facts in each case, due-process protections for the accused, and the centrality of first-hand testimony from witnesses and surviving victims, he gave the Tribunals moral authority and legal credibility. Justice Goldstone stood guarantor for the responsibility, probity, and value of international justice; his unquestioned competence and integrity won the faith of the world."