Tracking Number: 238435
Title: "Security Council to Review Iraq Human Rights Situation." The Western members of the UN Security Council asked for an urgent meeting to discuss what has been called the
"alarming and disconcerting" information about Iraqi bombings of Shia civilians in southern Iraq. (920810)
Translated Title: Consejo Seguridad examinara situacion derechos humanos en Irak. (920810)
Author:
AITA, JUDY (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19920810
Text:
SECURITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW IRAQ HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION
(Asked to send U.N. monitors to southern Iraq) (660) By Judy Aita USIA United Nations Correspondent United Nations -- The Western members of the U.N. Security Council August 10 asked for an urgent meeting to discuss what has been called the "alarming and disconcerting" information about Iraqi bombings of Shia civilians in southern Iraq.
The United States, Belgium, Britain, and France want Max van der Stoel, special rapporteur of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, to discuss his recommendation that the United Nations send up to 50 monitors to report on Iraq's suspected human rights violations.
"Without any evidence of an improving human rights situation in Iraq, it is a matter of great importance that actions be taken to bring a halt to the serious violations of human rights and to put in place a system to monitor closely the continuing situation," van der Stoel said.
In requesting the Security Council meeting, U.S. Ambassador Alexander Watson said the United States "is deeply disturbed by the continuing repression of the Iraqi civilian population...which threatens international peace and security in the region, and by the failure of the government of Iraq to cooperate under Security Council Resolution 688."
In resolution 688, approved in April last year, the council condemned Baghdad's repression of civilians, especially in Kurdish populated areas in the north. The council insisted that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organizations to all those needing assistance and asked the secretary general to pursue his humanitarian efforts.
The United Nations was able to work out an memorandum of understanding (MOU) which allowed about 500 U.N. aid workers and another 500 U.N. guards in northern Iraq to oversee the distribution of basic necessities. However, the United Nations was never allowed to launch a full-scale operation in the southern areas inhabited primarily by Shia.
The MOU expired on June 30 and Iraq has impeded U.N. efforts to have it renewed. U.N. workers, especially the guards, also have come under increasing attacks; one guard was killed in his sleep recently and two others were injured when a bomb exploded in their housing compound.
The United Nations announced August 10 that Iraq has agreed to see Undersecretary General Jan Eliasson next week "to finalize negotiations" on renewing the MOU.
According to a preliminary report by van der Stoel to be presented to the General Assembly session later this year, there is no evidence the human rights situation has improved in Iraq. The report also expressed concern about "information that Iraqi military forces have launched a series of attacks against the civilian population in the marsh area which borders the Islamic Republic of Iran."
As humanitarian aid agencies have been withdrawing, there remains little or no source of protection or support for the victims. Immediate steps must be taken in response "before too much irreparable damage is done and too many individuals are victimized," van der Stoel said.
Van der Stoel said there appears to be a specific government policy against the marsh Arabs and those living in small towns and villages on the edges of the area. He pointed to a video-tape showing the prime minister instructing army generals to "wipe out" three specific marsh Arab tribes.
"The most blatant" violation is the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in the villages of Adil, al-Salaam, Maimona, and al-Majar, he said, adding that reports indicate "considerable troop movements and fixed-wing aircraft flights in the region" in July. There have also been reports of disappearances, forced relocations, and an "internal economic blockade" to restrict basic food and medicines.
"It would seem clear that the level and nature of force being employed in the region for whatever purpose exceeds by far the standards detailed in the 'Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,'" the rapporteur said.
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File Identification: 08/10/92, PO-104; 08/10/92, EP-113; 08/10/92, EU-103; 08/10/92, NE-104; 08/11/92, AR-202; 08/11/92, AS-203; 08/11/92, NA-203
Product Name: Wireless File
Product
Code: WF
Languages: Spanish; Arabic
Keywords: UNITED NATIONS-SECURITY COUNCIL; IRAQ/Defense & Military; CASUALTIES; HUMAN RIGHTS; VAN DER STOEL, MAX
Thematic Codes: 1UN; 1NE
Target Areas: EA; EU; NE; AR
PDQ Text Link: 238435; 238459
USIA Notes: *92081004.POL
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