Irak: bezetter heeft de plicht om burgers te beschermen

Amnesty International
Press Release
AI Index: MDE 14/166/2003 (Public)
News Service No: 201
29 August 2003

Iraq: Occupying powers have a duty to protect civilians and prevent an escalation of violence

Amnesty International today expressed concern that four months after the US announced the end of hostilities, the security situation in Iraq was degrading rather than improving, and warned that the recent spate of violence threatened to develop into a civil strife.

"The Occupation Powers must stand up to their obligations and maintain security, law and order in Iraq," Amnesty International said. "They have a duty to avert any escalation of violence and reprisal killings."

At least 80 people were killed and 240 injured in a car bomb Friday in the city of Najaf. Those killed included senior Shi'a cleric Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) who died when the bomb exploded after the Friday prayers. Three people were killed last Sunday in a bomb attack on the office in Najaf of Shi'a cleric Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim who was wounded.

Twenty-three people died in an attack on the United Nations compound in Baghdad 19 August. Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in Iraq was killed in the attack.

"Civilians must never be a target," Amnesty International said. "This cycle of violence can only further destroy hopes for peace and justice for Iraqis."

Those who have organized such attacks must be brought to justice and tried according to international standards for fair trial, the organization stressed.

Amnesty International cautioned before the beginning of war in Iraq of the danger of a cycle of reprisal killings that would lead to civilian casualties in the event of military intervention.

"The only future for Iraq is one of justice and the rule of law," Amnesty International said. "Iraqi people deserve stability, security and peace, not more bloodshed."

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE141662003

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