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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello is concerned by the reports of the increasing number of deaths of civilians and injuries during the conflict in Iraq.
According to a press release from the UN Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday, the High Commissioner worried the welfare of civilians as fighting has now engulfed the largest and most densely populated area, the capital of Baghdad.
"The impact on civilians must never be underestimated, for it is truly terrible in a way that words simply cannot convey." De Mello said.
He is also concerned that fighting has already claimed the lives of some dozen journalists, injured several others, and that media locations have been hit.
"The right to freedom of information is dealt a fatal blow whenever a journalist is killed or wounded in the performance of his or her vital role," said the High Commissioner.
"There are inescapable obligations on the parties to the conflict," he said. "Human rights and international humanitarian law cannot be put on hold."
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)
High Commissioner for Human Rights Concerns Killing of Civilians
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Xinhuanet 2003-04-09 23:53:53
GENEVA, April 9 (Xinhuanet)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello is concerned by the reports of the increasing number of deaths of civilians and injuries during the conflict in Iraq.
According to a press release from the UN Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday, the High Commissioner worried the welfare of civilians as fighting has now engulfed the largest and most densely populated area, the capital of Baghdad.
"The impact on civilians must never be underestimated, for it is truly terrible in a way that words simply cannot convey." De Mello said.
He is also concerned that fighting has already claimed the lives of some dozen journalists, injured several others, and that media locations have been hit.
"The right to freedom of information is dealt a fatal blow whenever a journalist is killed or wounded in the performance of his or her vital role," said the High Commissioner.
"There are inescapable obligations on the parties to the conflict," he said. "Human rights and international humanitarian law cannot be put on hold."
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)
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