Amnesty International is calling

Iraq : Camp David Summit must recognize international responsibility for
Iraqi human rights


- Amnesty International is calling on US President George W. Bush and UK
Prime Minister Tony Blair to acknowledge the responsibility of the
international community to protect the human rights of the Iraqi people
when they meet this week to discuss the possibility of a military attack
on Iraq.

The human rights and humanitarian situation in Iraq is extremely
fragile as a result of decades of brutal repression by the Iraqi
authorities of dissent and uprisings, including widespread torture and
executions; the impact of over a decade of sanctions; the possibility of
civilian casualties, refugee outflows and reprisal killings in the event
of military intervention.

Ahead of the Camp David meeting on Friday 31 January, Amnesty
International is calling on the two leaders to carefully weigh the
possible cost of the conflict for human rights in Iraq and the
neighbouring countries, and to take all measures to prevent a
humanitarian disaster.

Amnesty International's Secretary General, Irene Khan said:

"We all remember what happened in 1991 -- what leadership will
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair demonstrate to ensure that the
international community works together to prevent a rerun of that kind
of a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe?" asked Irene Khan.

Amnesty International USA Executive Director William F. Schulz said:

"President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have a responsibility for
the human rights of the people of Iraq, and they must discharge this
obligation by ensuring that any action taken does not further violate
those rights."

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

"Tony Blair and George Bush need to be crystal clear on the need to
plan for the protection of human rights both during and after any
conflict."

Amnesty International reminded Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair that all sides
in a conflict are obliged to respect fully international humanitarian
law. The US and UK forces' terms of engagement must strictly enforce
international humanitarian law - the 'laws of war' - and not, for
instance, target military facilities if there is a disproportionate risk
to civilians.

The organisation is also calling on the two leaders to clarify their
stance on bringing Iraqi officials responsible for grave human rights
violations to justice, following recent reports that the US may be
considering impunity 'deals'.

"It is not for the US or the UK to determine who shall or shall not
escape justice for human rights crimes in Iraq," said Irene Khan,
Secretary General of Amnesty International. "Striking deals to guarantee
immunity from prosecution for senior Iraqis would be a betrayal of the
right of the Iraqi people to justice for gross human rights violations
that they have suffered for years."



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

For latest human rights news view http://news.amnesty.org


****************************************
Nina Tesenfitz
Pressesprecherin
amnesty international
Sektion der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.

AI Index: MDE 14/003/2003 (Public)
News Service No: 020
30 January 2003