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UN rights chief hints possible war crimes in Mideast violence
The continued killing and maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory could constitute war crimes, the UN's human rights chief said on Wednesday.
"International humanitarian law is clear on the supreme obligation to protect civilians during hostilities," Louise Arbour, the UN high commissioner for human rights said in a strong-worded statement.
"This obligation is also expressed in international criminal law, which defines war crimes and crimes against humanity," she said.
The high commissioner also called for accountability for any breaches of international law in the conflict areas.
"International law demands accountability. The scale of the killings in the region, and their predictability, could engage the personal criminal responsibility of those involved, particularly those in a position of command and control," she said.
In the statement, Arbour expressed "grave concern over the continued killing and maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory."
She recalled that parties to a conflict have the obligation to exercise precaution and respect the principle of proportionality in all military operations so as to prevent unnecessary suffering among the civilian population.
"Indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a foreseeable and unacceptable targeting of civilians," she said. "Similarly, the bombardment of sites with alleged military significance, but resulting invariably in the killing of innocent civilians, is unjustifiable."
The high commissioner also warned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, in particular in southern Lebanon, where the population is reported to be increasingly deprived of access to basic services due to the violence.
"The situation in the south of Lebanon is alarming," she said. "A large and steadily increasing number of persons have been forcibly displaced. The most basic human rights of the population are at risk or are being violated, including their rights to life, health and food."
The unrestricted and secure passage of all humanitarian assistance, including rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers should be ensured as a matter of priority, she added.
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/20/eng20060720_284931.html
"This obligation is also expressed in international criminal law, which defines war crimes and crimes against humanity," she said.
The high commissioner also called for accountability for any breaches of international law in the conflict areas.
"International law demands accountability. The scale of the killings in the region, and their predictability, could engage the personal criminal responsibility of those involved, particularly those in a position of command and control," she said.
In the statement, Arbour expressed "grave concern over the continued killing and maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory."
She recalled that parties to a conflict have the obligation to exercise precaution and respect the principle of proportionality in all military operations so as to prevent unnecessary suffering among the civilian population.
"Indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a foreseeable and unacceptable targeting of civilians," she said. "Similarly, the bombardment of sites with alleged military significance, but resulting invariably in the killing of innocent civilians, is unjustifiable."
The high commissioner also warned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, in particular in southern Lebanon, where the population is reported to be increasingly deprived of access to basic services due to the violence.
"The situation in the south of Lebanon is alarming," she said. "A large and steadily increasing number of persons have been forcibly displaced. The most basic human rights of the population are at risk or are being violated, including their rights to life, health and food."
The unrestricted and secure passage of all humanitarian assistance, including rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers should be ensured as a matter of priority, she added.
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/20/eng20060720_284931.html
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Writing to the leaders of the Christian churches in the region, Dr Williams also criticised Hezbollah for bringing "collective suffering" down on innocent civilians on both sides of the border.
He said:"The distress felt at the destruction not only of life but also the infrastructure so painstakingly rebuilt after years of conflict will, I know, be acute and reinforce the sense of helplessness at being caught up in a wider regional struggle. My condemnation of this resort to violence is unequivocal."
His comments came as supporters of both sides in the escalating conflict prepared rival rallies to take place in and around London this weekend.
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2277146,00.html
Dozens of aircraft dropped 23 tonnes of explosives on a building in Beirut's southern suburbs where the army said it suspected senior Hizbollah leaders were holed up. The guerrilla group, however, denied any of its leaders or members were killed during the raid which it said hit a mosque under construction.
Sixty-three Lebanese civilians were killed in air strikes on Wednesday, the deadliest toll in the nine-day war triggered in retaliation to Hizbollah's July 12 capture of two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border operation.
Hizbollah rockets killed two children in the northern Israeli city of Nazareth, medics said. More rockets fell on the city of Haifa and one hit an empty seafront restaurant.
And despite international concern, there was no sign Israel or its Lebanese Shi'ite foes were ready to heed the Beirut government's pleas for an immediate halt to a war that has killed at least 299 people in Lebanon and 29 in Israel.
"I have a very bad feeling that after the foreigners flee the bombings will get worse," said 37-year old Ziad Nayef, a costume designer. "Nobody cares about Arab lives."
More
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Lebanese-civilians-fear-worst-is-to-come/2006/07/20/1153166483062.html