There is no doubt that the current Iraqi regime is responsible for gross human rights violations in Iraq. Many people, including Tony Blair, are invoking the human rights situation in Iraq to justify military action.
Amnesty International has been working for the rights of the Iraqi people for decades. We are concerned that armed conflict in Iraq will exacerbate the already dismal plight of many civilians.
Amnesty's concerns include civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure needed to sustain civilian life, refugees and increased repression.
Human rights must be paramount in all deliberations about the impending war.
The UN Security Council must consider not only the security and political consequences of military action but also the inevitable human rights and humanitarian toll of war.
The UN was created to preserve international peace and promote human rights not war.
Human rights and humanitarian consequences must be carefully considered and balanced against the threat that Iraq is said to constitute to peace and security, if the UN is to properly fulfil its responsibilities.
Amnesty International is calling for the UN to hold a full debate on the human rights and humanitarian consequences of war and to ask if we have really reached that point of imminent danger which leaves no other choice but military action.
Neil Buick
Secretary
Swindon and Marlborough Amnesty Group
Brunswick Street
Swindon
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