[IMC-bristol] UN/Iraq: Security Council scared to face up to the human toll

[Always Shariff]

Hi,
Another petition to sign (sigh). Never mind we hope we shall get there one day.
If you could please sign and forward.
Always
=--- Amnesty International <amnesty-news@topica.email-publisher.com> wrote: To:
alwaysshariff@yahoo.co.uk From: Amnesty International
<amnesty-news@topica.email-publisher.com> Subject: UN/Iraq: Security Council
scared to face up to the human toll Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 09:17:20 -0700 

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International 

AI Index: MDE 14/017/2003        11 February 2003 

United Nations/Iraq: Security Council scared to face up to the human toll of
conflict in Iraq 


Is the Security Council scared to face up to the human toll of conflict in
Iraq? Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, asked today. "The
humanitarian and human rights consequences of war must be given high priority
by the Security Council. When war is contemplated against a country whose
people have been suffering from severe violations by their government and more
than a decade of sanctions, the need for such an assessment is even more
important," said Ms Khan. 

Amnesty International wrote last week to the President of the Security Council
to express concern that the likely impact on civilians of possible military
action against Iraq has not received the attention it deserves and should be
debated in an open session attended by all members of the United Nations. The
organization today welcomed a move by South Africa to request such an open
debate and added: "It is imperative that the President of the Security Council
grant this request. A full, informed and open debate by the Security Council on
the human rights and humanitarian consequences of any military action is
urgently needed." 

"Such human rights and humanitarian consequences must be carefully considered
and balanced against the threat that Iraq is said to constitute to peace and
security, if the Council is to properly fulfil its responsibilities under the
Charter." 

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the current human rights and
humanitarian situation in Iraq may rapidly deteriorate in case of military
action. In particular, there is a risk of renewed human rights abuses by the
Iraqi authorities, armed opposition groups, other parties involved in the
military operations, and reprisals on ethnic or other grounds. There is
therefore a clear need for close scrutiny of, and expert advice on, the human
rights situation in Iraq. 

"Regrettably, human rights concerns in this context have not been examined by
the Security Council." 

"Human rights monitors in Iraq would make a significant contribution to the
protection of human rights not only in the current circumstances but also in
any future scenario," Ms Khan said. 

"Their mandate should cover human rights abuses in Iraqi territory by any
party, and their reports should provide the United Nations system with
authoritative information on the human rights situation and advice on remedial
action." 

Amnesty International understands that an assessment of the humanitarian risks
of conflict in Iraq has already been carried out by the United Nations. 


"United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan plans to discuss the human impact
of conflict in Iraq in an informal briefing of the Security Council, but this
issue is far too serious to be held behind closed doors. A formal, open and
transparent debate is needed," Irene Khan said. 

Amnesty International has today mobilised its global membership to lobby the
Security Council for a full United Nations debate. 

Amnesty International has also called on the Security Council to ask the
Secretary-General for an urgent public briefing on the impact of military
action on civilians in Iraq and other countries. 

In particular Amnesty International called on the Security Council to examine: 

(1) The likely effects of military action on the overall human rights and
humanitarian situation of the Iraqi population, already exposed to severe
violations by their government and the effects of economic sanctions,
especially in the event of serious disruption of the food distribution system
and damage to essential infrastructure. 

(2) The risk that military action would lead to a massive displacement crisis
similar to that of 1991, with the need to ensure open borders and international
solidarity in order to provide effective protection and assistance to refugees
and internally displaced persons. 

(3) The risk of grave violations of international humanitarian law, including
direct attacks on civilians, the use of 'human shields', indiscriminate attacks
and attacks on civilian objects. The impact of any possible use of chemical,
biological and nuclear weapons, all of which are inherently indiscriminate,
also needs to be assessed. 

(4) Ways to ensure the immediate deployment of human rights monitors in line
with resolution 57/232 passed by the General Assembly as recently as December 
2002. 

Amnesty International has welcomed and supported the initiatives taken by the
Security Council in recent years stressing the importance of maximizing the
protection of civilians in armed conflict situations and ensuring
accountability for abuses, as reflected in resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 
(2000) and 1460 (2003). 

"I call on the Council to apply the standards it has articulated to the
situation in Iraq now." Ms Khan concluded. 


Act Now - Sign our petition to the President of the UN Security Council:
http://click.topica.com/maaaP6IaaVXqabb0iqfb/ 


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