ID :
187076
Wed, 06/08/2011 - 01:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/187076
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UN official condemns disappearances, arbitrary detention and alleged torture in Iraq
Baghdad (NINA) – The United Nations' Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, today urged the government to do more to protect civilians from violence.
A statement issued on Tuesday, June 7, by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said, "At the end of his 10-day visit to Iraq, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, urged the government to do more to protect civilians from violence."
It quoted Šimonović saying, "It is important that the government does all it can to ensure that civilians are protected from the ongoing violence, and that any person suspected of perpetrating acts of violence is held accountable according to the law,".
Šimonović condemned the numerous cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and alleged torture that have been reported throughout Iraq..
Concerning the demonstrations that are taking place in various parts of Iraq, Šimonović noted that many of the protesters’ demands centre on legitimate calls for improved access to basic services, employment and better living conditions.
“Being criticized by the media or by protesters on the street is something that no government likes but as long as protests are peaceful and the government is democratic, they should lead to dialogue and not confrontation,” he said.
During his meetings in Erbil with Kurdistan’s President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Barham Salih and Speaker of Parliament Kamal Kirkuki, Šimonović raised concerns relating to the protection of women and freedom of expression. He proposed to the government to establish an independent national body to monitor respect for the human rights of all detainees.
“Investigations into the tragic events that took place there in April must be thorough and impartial,” he said. “Iraqi laws should be respected in Camp Ashraf, but so should the human rights of the residents. A long-term solution must be found recognizing the wishes of the Government, but also respecting each resident’s individual consent to be relocated or repatriated.”
A statement issued on Tuesday, June 7, by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said, "At the end of his 10-day visit to Iraq, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, urged the government to do more to protect civilians from violence."
It quoted Šimonović saying, "It is important that the government does all it can to ensure that civilians are protected from the ongoing violence, and that any person suspected of perpetrating acts of violence is held accountable according to the law,".
Šimonović condemned the numerous cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and alleged torture that have been reported throughout Iraq..
Concerning the demonstrations that are taking place in various parts of Iraq, Šimonović noted that many of the protesters’ demands centre on legitimate calls for improved access to basic services, employment and better living conditions.
“Being criticized by the media or by protesters on the street is something that no government likes but as long as protests are peaceful and the government is democratic, they should lead to dialogue and not confrontation,” he said.
During his meetings in Erbil with Kurdistan’s President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Barham Salih and Speaker of Parliament Kamal Kirkuki, Šimonović raised concerns relating to the protection of women and freedom of expression. He proposed to the government to establish an independent national body to monitor respect for the human rights of all detainees.
“Investigations into the tragic events that took place there in April must be thorough and impartial,” he said. “Iraqi laws should be respected in Camp Ashraf, but so should the human rights of the residents. A long-term solution must be found recognizing the wishes of the Government, but also respecting each resident’s individual consent to be relocated or repatriated.”
