UN role in Iraq to expand but human rights suffer: Amnesty

NEW YORK: Plans by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to expand the United Nations' (UN) role in war-torn Iraq could come at the expense of the grave human rights situation there, Amnesty International said.
 
The 15-nation council has scheduled a discussion next week on renewing the mandate of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which will expire Aug 9 and adding more duties to assist the Iraqi government on reconstruction and national reconciliation.
 
Discussion on the expanded role comes after the US urged the UN to take on greater responsibilities in aiding the Iraqi government and the US-led multinational force facing persistent insurgent challenges.
 
But Amnesty Friday said the new draft resolution would not meaningfully address the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Iraq, which has been documented this year in UN progress reports from the country.
 
"The draft resolution is completely silent on the gross human rights abuses taking place on a daily basis in Iraq, and on the deepening humanitarian crisis in the country," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
 
The council "must take account of the sectarian and other killings of civilians by both armed groups and government forces, the continuing detention of thousands of Iraqis without charge or trial by the US-led Multinational Force and Iraqi security forces, the widespread reports of torture, the sharp rise in the use of the death penalty and other gross abuses," Khan said.
 
"We call on the Security Council to strengthen UNAMI's mandate and resources to monitor, promote and protect human rights," she said.
UN role in Iraq to expand but human rights suffer: Amnesty

NEW YORK: Plans by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to expand the United Nations' (UN) role in war-torn Iraq could come at the expense of the grave human rights situation there, Amnesty International said.
 
The 15-nation council has scheduled a discussion next week on renewing the mandate of the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which will expire Aug 9 and adding more duties to assist the Iraqi government on reconstruction and national reconciliation.
 
Discussion on the expanded role comes after the US urged the UN to take on greater responsibilities in aiding the Iraqi government and the US-led multinational force facing persistent insurgent challenges.
 
But Amnesty Friday said the new draft resolution would not meaningfully address the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Iraq, which has been documented this year in UN progress reports from the country.
 
"The draft resolution is completely silent on the gross human rights abuses taking place on a daily basis in Iraq, and on the deepening humanitarian crisis in the country," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
 
The council "must take account of the sectarian and other killings of civilians by both armed groups and government forces, the continuing detention of thousands of Iraqis without charge or trial by the US-led Multinational Force and Iraqi security forces, the widespread reports of torture, the sharp rise in the use of the death penalty and other gross abuses," Khan said.
 
"We call on the Security Council to strengthen UNAMI's mandate and resources to monitor, promote and protect human rights," she said.