Attack on UN in Baghdad

Iraq: Attack on UN in Baghdad an attack on justice and human rights

(Mexico) The attack that killed Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, symbolises an attack on those who
promote the principles of justice and human rights, stated Amnesty
International's Secretary General Irene Khan.

"The brutal murder of Sergio Vieira de Mello is yet more
proof that people who serve humanity and defend human rights are easy
targets in a world in which national security has trumped human
security."

"Human rights, the international community and all those who
promote peace and justice in Iraq are under attack."

"Only when human rights take centre stage and inform our
approach to world security, will we stop these hideous crimes from
occurring again," she said. "The next few days in Iraq will be
critical. We can establish the genuine security needed to breach
this perilous chasm or we can revert once again to the tactics which
breed the unrest and discontent at the root of this violence. What
further evidence do we need that eroding the principles which
underpin human rights leads only to escalating insecurity and death?"

"Sergio Vieira de Mello the man has been killed, but his
ideals and message remain alive," declared Ms Khan as she stated that
grief has only strengthened Amnesty International's resolve for
action.

Ms Khan cautioned that Mr Vieira de Mello's murder has put at
stake the fundamental human rights of the Iraqi people. "Iraq must be
a building site for human rights -- it must not be allowed to become
a wasteland."

Paying tribute to Mr Vieira de Mello, a close friend of many
years, Ms Khan said: "He was a man of action and conviction, exuding
all that is positive and passionate in life."

Ms Khan called for the perpetrators of the attack to be
apprehended and brought to justice but added: "His death must not
become a pretext for a witch hunt nor lead to widespread abuse of
human rights."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Opinion Piece by Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty
International

Mourning the man, honouring the message



The brutal murder of Sergio Vieira de Mello, Special Representative
of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in Iraq, is yet more
proof that people who serve humanity and defend human rights are easy
targets in a world in which national security has trumped human
security.

As the UN Special Representative in Iraq, he was a symbol of the
international community's commitment to the country. As UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio was the highest authority on
human rights in the world. This is a moment of deep grief for all
those who care for Iraq and for human rights.

I mourn Sergio as a friend and as an international leader. He was a
dynamo and a risk taker with great charm. He was a man of action and
conviction, exuding all that is positive and passionate in life. But
his death signifies much more than the passing of a good man.

The people of Iraq who believe in justice and peace are under attack.
The international community is under attack. Human rights are under
attack.

Sergio's murder has put at stake the fundamental human rights of the
Iraqi people. It has put at risk the ability of the international
community to stand with the Iraqi people in their struggle for human
rights.

Sergio was convinced that the participation of all Iraqis was the
foundation stone on which Iraq must be built. He championed the cause
of human rights of Iraqis to those who did not want to hear.

If Sergio's death is to have any meaning, Iraq must be a building
site for human rights ? it must not be allowed to become a
wasteland.

Truth and justice for the Iraqi people was Sergio's goal. The
principles that he held so dear in life must not be sacrificed now.
The perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to justice but his
death must not become a pretext for a witch hunt nor lead to
widespread abuse of human rights ? no arbitrary arrests, no arbitrary
detentions, no excessive use of force.

There are those who will see this tragedy as proof that Sergio was
wrong in his approach to Iraq ? respect for human rights and
participation of the Iraqi people.

But Amnesty International and other human rights activists know that
only by putting human rights at the heart of security can this
meaningless violence be brought to an end. This is what Sergio
believed. This is what he and his colleagues worked and died for.

The killing of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is an
outrageous attack on human rights defenders everywhere. We will not
let it pass. Our grief only strengthens our resolve for action. They
killed the man, they can never kill his legacy.
http://www2.amnesty.de/internet/deall.nsf/AlleDok/B5A6FE67759879F3C1256D8800304B4E?Open

Menschenrechtsarbeit ist nicht umsonst. Wenn Sie die Arbeit von amnesty
international auch finanziell unterstützen möchten, können Sie das ganz
einfach hier tun:
https://www2.amnesty.de/internet/formulare.nsf/Spenden
Oder spenden Sie auf das Konto 80 90 100, Bank für Sozialwirtschaft BLZ 370 205 00




amnesty international Deutschland 20.08.2003
www.amnesty.de

Kommentar der Internationalen Generalsekretärin
von amnesty international, Irene Khan,
zum Tod von Sergio Vieira de Mello.


Opinion Piece by Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International

Mourning the man, honouring the message



The brutal murder of Sergio Vieira de Mello, Special Representative of the
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General in Iraq, is yet more proof that
people who serve humanity and defend human rights are easy targets in a
world in which national security has trumped human security.

As the UN Special Representative in Iraq, he was a symbol of the
international community's commitment to the country. As UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio was the highest authority on human
rights in the world. This is a moment of deep grief for all those who care
for Iraq and for human rights.

I mourn Sergio as a friend and as an international leader. He was a dynamo
and a risk taker with great charm. He was a man of action and conviction,
exuding all that is positive and passionate in life. But his death
signifies much more than the passing of a good man.

The people of Iraq who believe in justice and peace are under attack. The
international community is under attack. Human rights are under attack.

Sergio's murder has put at stake the fundamental human rights of the Iraqi
people. It has put at risk the ability of the international community to
stand with the Iraqi people in their struggle for human rights.

Sergio was convinced that the participation of all Iraqis was the
foundation stone on which Iraq must be built. He championed the cause of
human rights of Iraqis to those who did not want to hear.

If Sergio's death is to have any meaning, Iraq must be a building site for
human rights ? it must not be allowed to become a wasteland.

Truth and justice for the Iraqi people was Sergio's goal. The principles
that he held so dear in life must not be sacrificed now. The perpetrators
must be apprehended and brought to justice but his death must not become a
pretext for a witch hunt nor lead to widespread abuse of human rights ? no
arbitrary arrests, no arbitrary detentions, no excessive use of force.

There are those who will see this tragedy as proof that Sergio was wrong in
his approach to Iraq ? respect for human rights and participation of the
Iraqi people.

But Amnesty International and other human rights activists know that only
by putting human rights at the heart of security can this meaningless
violence be brought to an end. This is what Sergio believed. This is what
he and his colleagues worked and died for.

The killing of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is an outrageous
attack on human rights defenders everywhere. We will not let it pass. Our
grief only strengthens our resolve for action. They killed the man, they
can never kill his legacy.



Nina Tesenfitz
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
amnesty international
Sektion der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.
visit:http://www.amnesty.de

amnesty international. Für die Menschenrechte.

Spendenkonto: 80 90 100
Bank für Sozialwirtschaft Köln, BLZ 370 205 00