[IMC-bristol] Urgent Peace Opportunity

[Always Shariff]

Hi,
Please forgive me but when it has to be done it got to be...... Another day
another one.
'Aving it arduously
Always
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Iraq: Investigate civilian deaths
Amnesty International is calling for an immediate and impartial investigation 
into the deaths of civilians during the conflict in Iraq. 
According to reports, at least 15 Iraqi civilians were killed today and around 
30 wounded when missiles hit a residential area in north Baghdad.
"Conflicting reports about the origin of the missiles reinforce the need for a 
proper investigation," Amnesty International stated.
"Given claims about the sophisticated nature of the weapons being used in this 
conflict, it should be possible for Coalition forces to account for munitions 
used."
Amnesty International is calling for all relevant information to be disclosed 
to allow for a full investigation. 
"Any credible allegation of a serious violation of the Geneva Convention must 
be fully investigated and those found responsible individually held to
account," 
Amnesty International stated.
"Urgent measures must be taken to avoid civilian deaths and casualties."
Amnesty International is concerned about the increase in civilian casualties 
caused by targeting errors in this war. In one instance on 23 March, five
Syrian 
nationals were killed and another 10 were hurt when a US missile hit a bus in 
Rutba, western Iraq, as it was returning to Syria. A US military spokesman 
admitted that a US missile had hit the bus and that the real target was a
bridge.
On 22 March, four Jordanian students were killed near Mosul, north-east of 
Iraq, when a missile exploded near their car as they were driving out of the
city 
to flee US and UK bombardments. They were planning to drive to Jordan.
"All forces must take sufficient precautions to protect civilians in selecting 
military objectives and means of attack," Amnesty International declared. 
An attack must be cancelled or suspended if it becomes apparent that the 
objective is not a military one or it is causing a disproportionate loss of
civilian 
life.
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On Wednesday, 26 March, there was an 'open session' of the UN Security Council,
and members are expected to put forward a resolution condemning the war and 
calling for a ceasefire. The debate is expected to carry on until Thursday, but
it is clear that any such resolution will be vetoed by the US and UK. 
Arab League Foreign Ministers, as well as their colleagues in the non-Aligned 
Movement, have said that if there is no Security Council resolution, they will 
invoke Resolution 377 ('Uniting for Peace'), and call for an Emergency Session 
of the UN General Assembly, where a resolution calling for an end to the war 
would get overwhelming support. 
We have chosen several countries whose support for this move is key to its 
success. Any country that puts this forward, will have to be able to withstand 
diplomatic and economic blackmail from the US and the UK in order to exercise
their democratic right to speak on behalf of their people. 
Please use this link:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=733&s=wr

to write to the Foreign Ministers of Cuba, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, 
Nigeria, New Zealand, Switzerland, Fiji, Mexico, Chile, Germany, Russia, and 
France, and ask them to support 'Uniting for Peace'.


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