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Amnesty issues appeal to Bush, Blair, Aznar and Saddam
LONDON (AFP) Mar 20, 2003
 Amnesty International on Wednesday appealed to US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar to ensure human rights are "fully upheld" in any war on Iraq.

The London-based human rights organisation also directed the same appeal to the government of Iraq, which "must equally abide by its obligations".

In an open letter to the four leaders, Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty, said: "Those intending to launch military action against Iraq have a particular responsibility to ensure that international human rights and humanitarian law are fully upheld.

"Amnesty International demands adherence to human rights obligations under international law in the event of war."

Amnesty demanded a public commitment from all parties to a conflict that they will, in particular:

-- Protect civilians;

-- Treat civilian detainees fairly and humanely;

-- Protect the rights of combatants;

-- Ensure the security and humanitarian needs of the Iraqi population are fully met;

-- Protect and assist refugees and internally displaced persons;

-- Make sure that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice under international law;

-- Support and facilitate the deployment of human rights monitors in Iraq as soon as the security situation permits;

-- Support the United Nations in its humanitarian and human rights work.

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