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Richard Joseph GoldstoneFormer South African judge
Date of Birth: 26.10.1938
Country:  South Africa |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Legal Career
- Goldstone Commission
- International Tribunals
- Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Goldstone Report on Gaza
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
Richard Goldstone was born in Boksburg, South Africa, in 1938. He is a third-generation South African Jew and credits his ethical worldview to his connection to the persecuted Jewish people. As a student, Goldstone became involved in anti-apartheid efforts, opposing the exclusion of Black students from his university.
Legal Career
Transvaal Supreme Court and Appellate CourtGoldstone was appointed a judge of the Transvaal Supreme Court in 1980, becoming South Africa's youngest judge. His judicial approach was to uphold the country's common law principles despite the racist Apartheid system.
Goldstone Commission
During South Africa's transition to democracy, Goldstone headed the "Goldstone Commission," which investigated political violence from 1991 to 1994. He gained a reputation for criticizing both sides of the conflict, earning him the trust of many.
International Tribunals
From 1994 to 1996, Goldstone served as the UN Prosecutor for the International Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He prosecuted war crimes cases, including those against Bosnian Serb leaders Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić.
Constitutional Court of South Africa
Following his work in international tribunals, Goldstone became a Constitutional Court judge in South Africa.
Goldstone Report on Gaza
In 2009, Goldstone chaired a UN commission investigating the 2008-2009 Gaza War. The Goldstone Report elicited strong reactions and became the subject of controversy. In 2011, Goldstone expressed regret over the report's findings, stating that he would have written differently based on what he knew since its publication.
Legacy
Richard Goldstone's legal career exemplifies judicial activism, using the law to promote justice in politically sensitive and human rights cases. His contributions to South Africa's transition to democracy and his work in international tribunals have had a profound impact on the global legal landscape.
