AI Index:      MDE 14/000/2003    (Public)
News Service No:   50
6 March 2003


     Iraq: Security Council needs to deploy human rights monitors now
 

"Whatever the outcome of the debate on the disarmament of Iraq, the
protection of the human rights of the people of Iraq will remain a central
concern. Concrete measures to address the human rights situation in Iraq
must be considered as a matter of urgency," said Secretary General Irene
Khan.

     "It is essential that arrangements for the speedy deployment of
sufficient numbers of qualified human rights monitors begins immediately.
The Security Council has recognized the role of monitors in other country
situations. It is time to do so with Iraq."

     Amnesty International is calling on the United Nations (UN) Security
Council to authorize the deployment of UN human rights monitors throughout
Iraq and on the Iraqi government and the Kurdish authorities controlling
parts of northern Iraq to provide the monitors with all the necessary
access and cooperation.

     In a new paper released today, Iraq:The need to deploy human rights
monitors, Amnesty International argues that UN human rights monitors can
make a crucial contribution to addressing human rights concerns in Iraq
regardless of whether there will be a major military action in Iraq.

     Human rights monitors can make a difference. They are needed now to
address the current grave human rights concerns in Iraq. They would also
play a crucial role in the immediate aftermath of any possible large-scale
military action against Iraq, as the human rights situation in the country
may deteriorate further. In the longer term a human rights field presence
in the country would provide necessary expertise and advice for legislative
and institutional reform and the establishment of the rule of law.

     Human   rights   monitors   would   seek  to  provide  protection  by
pro-actively  addressing  the  authorities.  They  would work to ensure the
establishment  of  durable  human  rights  safeguards,  including  reformed
legislation,  practices  and  institutions,  and  promote the full range of
human rights.

     In addition, human rights monitors would provide the Security Council
and  other  organs  of  the  UN  with  much needed authoritative and timely
information on human rights developments in Iraq.

     The  deployment  of  human  rights monitors has been called for since
1993  by  the  General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights. Between
1994  and  1998 monitors gathered information on behalf of the Commission's
Special  Rapporteur  on  Iraq  by visiting countries neighbouring Iraq. The
Iraqi  government has granted access to the Special Rapporteur, but has not
allowed the stationing of human rights monitors in the country.