From: Frank Swart (funkwrench_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 2003-02-14 18:08:09
The population of Iraq is in imminent danger of a human rights and
humanitarian catastrophe. Military action could trigger a disaster for the
people of Iraq and surrounding countries.
Before it takes any further action, Amnesty International calls upon the UN
Security Council to assess the human rights and humanitarian impact on the
civilian population of any military action against Iraq.
The assessment should take place in a public session of the Security
Council, open to all UN member states, and it must include consideration of:
- the potential effects of military action on the human rights of the Iraqi
population.
- the effects on the humanitarian situation as Iraqis are already suffering
under severe economic sanctions and violations by their government.
- the risk that military action would lead to massive numbers of people
being forced into flight.
- potential grave violations of international humanitarian law, including
direct attacks on civilians, the use of human shields and the use of
inherently indiscriminate weapons.
Amnesty International urges the Security Council to deploy human rights
monitors immediately throughout Iraq to report on human rights abuses by
any party.
Please join our petition at http://click.topica.com/maaaQNdaaV1VFbcOdT3b/
before 8 March.