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| Deep concern about the situation in Lebanon and Gaza | Date: 07-08-2006 |
| Author: EMHRN | |
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DECLARATION FROM THE EMHRN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The EMHRN Executive Committee meeting in Copenhagen 4-6 August 2006, which brings together human rights organisations in the north and the south of the Mediterranean, and after consultation with members of the EC in Lebanon and Palestine[1], again express their deep concern about the situation in Lebanon and in Gaza.
The EMHRN notes that the Israeli government is submitting Lebanon, from the north to the south, to an aggression aimed at systematically destroying its infrastructure. The immense losses inflicted on the civilian population are not collateral effects of the conflict with Hezbollah, but show a deliberate wish to collectively punish a whole people, including arbitrary killing. This has led to mass internal displacement, prevented humanitarian aid, and jeopardized the survival of thousands. The indiscriminate targeting and the scale and ferocity of the violence, deliberately planned by the Israeli government, constitute an exceptional grave violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Based on principles of international human rights and humanitarian law, the EMHRN repeats its condemnation of all attacks perpetrated against the civilian populations in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel which constitute war crimes and urges all parties to respect the Geneva Conventions and facilitate humanitarian assistance.
Whilst a ceasefire is imperative, the international community, under pressure from the US, has been unwilling to impose it. The EU itself, the prime partner in this region, has hereby demonstrated its lack of political will.
At the same time, during the last month, the Israeli government has submitted the Palestinian population of Gaza to permanent bombardment and military incursions that, once again, have been aimed at inflicting collective punishment and have resulted in considerable loss of human life. In addition, as in Lebanon, there has been a destruction of purely civil infrastructure, such as electricity plants.
Nothing can justify the recourse to such violence, just as it cannot be justified that Palestinian Members of Parliament, including Ministers, have been taken hostage.
The EMHRN would like to strongly underline the devastating effects of this situation. To deny the Palestinian and Lebanese people their rights reinforces non democratic forces and regimes in the region and leads the population to believe that rights are not the same for everyone. It triggers hatred and resentment whilst hampering the peace process and the promotion of human rights, democracy and development. In addition, it fosters an escalation of the worst kind of violence.
The security of the people in the Middle East can never be guaranteed by violence. On the contrary, only political solutions based on human rights, the rule of law and relevant UN resolutions, can assure peace and prosperity for all.
The EMHRN calls for
For further information, kindly contact:
Kamel Jendoubi, President of the EMHRN
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