Tracking Number: 218243
Title: "UN Panel Condemns 'Massive' Iraqi Rights Violations." US representative to the UN Commission on Human Rights said the passage of a strong condemnation of the Iraqi
government for massive human rights violations by the commission proves that the human rights situation in Iraq continues to be an issue of great international concern. (920305)
Translated Title: Comision ONU condena violaciones
`masivas` derechos humanos en Irak.; Droits de l`homme: l`ONU condamne l`Irak. (920305)
Author: NEWMANN, ROBIN (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19920305
Text:
U.N. PANEL CONDEMNS "MASSIVE" IRAQI RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS
(Says violations are "of gravest nature") (680) By Robin Newmann USIA European Correspondent Geneva -- The U.N. Commission on Human Rights March 5 issued a "strong condemnation" of the Iraqi government for "massive" violations of human rights against the Iraqi people.
The condemnation was part of a five-page resolution adopted by a wide margin by the 53-nation commission -- 35 votes to one (Iraq), with 16 abstentions.
Ambassador J. Kenneth Blackwell, U.S. representative on the commission, said the passage of the resolution "proves that the human rights situation in Iraq continues to be an issue of great concern to the international community."
He said a report presented to this year's commission session on the human rights situation in Iraq proves that there continues to be a "rapid deterioration in the practice and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights in Iraq." And the defiance shown by the Iraqi government to efforts to improve the plight of the Iraqi people only "broadens the international community's resolve to remain vigilant and take decisive and coordinated action," he said.
The Iraqi representative at the commission, who cast the only negative vote, called the resolution an "attack" against Iraq which would "end up making the situation even more difficult" in Iraq. And he said the idea of sending international human rights monitors to survey the situation in Iraq until there is some improvement is a violation of Iraq's "dignity and sovereignty."
But Blackwell said the deteriorating human rights situation in Iraq "requires us to give serious consideration" to the sending of international monitors to the country.
The commission's special rapporteur on Iraq, Max van der Stoel, who prepared the report on Iraq, made the suggestion to send monitors because the human rights situation there is of "such exceptional gravity."
The resolution, which extends the mandate of the special rapporteur for another year, calls on him to "develop further" the idea of monitors and make recommendations on the subject to the next U.N. General Assembly, scheduled for later this year.
Despite the fact that Iraq is a party to many international norms of human rights, the resolution said the violations -- "for which the government of Iraq is responsible" -- are "of the gravest nature." It listed the following violations:
-- "Summary and arbitrary executions, orchestrated mass executions and burials, extrajudicial killings including political killings, in particular in the northern region of Iraq, in southern Shi'a centers and in the southern marshes;
-- "Widespread routine practice of systematic torture in its most cruel forms, including the torture of children;
-- "Enforced or involuntary disappearances, routinely practiced arbitrary arrest and detention including of women and children, consistent and routine failure to respect due process and the rule of law;
-- "Hostage-taking and the use of persons as "human shields," a most grave and blatant violation of Iraq's obligations under international law;
-- "Suppression of freedom of thought, expression and association, violations of property rights."
The resolution said the international community is "deeply concerned" by all these violations, as it is by repressive measures taken against the Kurds in the northern part of Iraq -- "which has resulted in the extermination of a part of this population" -- and against the Shi'a communities, in particular those in the southern marshes.
The resolution also "deplores" the fact that Iraq has failed to comply with the U.N. Security Council resolutions which would have allowed it export oil within the bounds of U.N. sanctions and pay for needed food and health care.
It calls on Iraq to "release immediately all persons arbitrarily arrested and detained, including Kuwaitis and other nationals of other states." A separate resolution, adopted earlier this week on the human rights situation during Iraq's occupation of Kuwait, expressed "grave concern" over the continued detention by Iraq of prisoners of war and civilians from the Persian Gulf war.
The commission is the principal body within the U.N. system for ensuring compliance with international human rights standards. It will end its annual six-week session March 6.
NNNN
File Identification: 03/05/92, PO-401; 03/05/92, AE-406; 03/05/92, EP-409; 03/05/92, EU-405; 03/05/92, NE-404; 03/05/92, NA-404; 03/06/92, AR-505; 03/06/92, AS-507; 03/10/92, AF-203
Product Name: Wireless
File
Product Code: WF
Languages: Arabic; Spanish; French
Keywords: BLACKWELL, J KENNETH; UNITED NATIONS-HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION; IRAQ/Politics & Government; HUMAN RIGHTS; REPORTS &
STUDIES; VAN DER STOEL, MAX; EXECUTIONS; MINORITIES; ARRESTS; FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION; HOSTAGES
Thematic Codes: 2HA; 1UN
Target Areas: AF; EA; EU; NE; AR
PDQ Text Link: 218243; 218645;
219185
USIA Notes: *92030501.POL
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