06 March 2008
Palestine: Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, UN rights council calls for end to all attacks
The United Nations Human Rights Council today labelled Israel’s response to recent rocket attacks from Gaza a war crime and “collective punishment against the civilian population” in a resolution that also called for an end to such military actions and to the “firing of crude rockets by Palestinian combatants.” The resolution, submitted by Pakistan, received 33 votes in favour and one against (Canada), with 13 abstentions.

 The vote followed a general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, which was preceded by statements from High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, as well as representatives of Israel, Palestine and Syria. “I am deeply alarmed about the death of civilians,” Ms. Arbour said, repeating her condemnation of rocket attacks by Palestinians as well as what she called Israel’s disproportionate use of force. “All human rights are equal for all human beings and no party can claim that, in defending its own population, it is allowed to disavow the rights of others,” Ms. Arbour stressed. “On the contrary, all parties have obligations not only towards the rights of their own people, but for the rights of all.”

Sri Lanka: panel of international independent group of eminent quits over rights abuse probe

In November 2006,the Sri Lankan President appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into 16 incidents of alleged serious violations of human rights that arose in Sri Lanka since 1 August 2005. The President subsequently also invited eleven persons of international repute to form the IIGEP. The IIGEP was called to observe the work of the Commission and to comment on the transparency of its investigations and inquiries, and their conformity with international norms and standards. The President also invited the IIGEP to make recommendations for redress. The panel said on Thursday it was quitting Sri Lanka, saying the government was hindering the process. The announcement comes as the Sri Lankan government is increasingly isolated over its human rights record amid a new phase in a 25-year civil war, and as Human Rights Watch accused the state of being behind enforced disappearances. "The IIGEP has decided that it will terminate its operation in Sri Lanka," The group said in a statement "The proceeding of inquiry and investigations have fallen far short of the transparency and compliance with basic international norms and standards pertaining to investigations and inquiries…. They no longer see how they can contribute further to the protection and enhancement of human rights in Sri Lanka and have regretfully decided to bring to an end their activities in this country. There is a climate of threat, direct and indirect, to the lives of anyone who might identify persons responsible for human rights violations, including those who are likely to have been committed by the security forces”.

Sri Lanka: Report lists Lanka as having world’s highest number of ‘disappearances’

The UN Human Rights Council should draw attention to the neglected human rights crisis in Somalia, Human Rights Watch said today as the council began its first session of this year. The council, meeting in Geneva, should also intensify its engagement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka and Burma, Human Rights Watch said. Several reports in the session will draw attention to the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, HRW said. The Special Rapporteur on Torture will report on his mission to Sri Lanka in October 2007. In addition, the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances will present its 2007 report in which Sri Lanka has the highest number of new cases of “disappearances” reported in the world.Assessments made by numerous independent experts who have visited the country and Human Rights Watch’s own research demonstrate the urgent need for an international human rights monitoring mission under UN auspices in the country, HRW said, adding that the council should take immediate steps to encourage Sri Lanka to cooperate in the establishment of such a mission. HRW also cited widespread rights abuses in Sri Lanka including enforced abductions, disappearances, unlawful execution style summery killings, mass murders, tortures, rapes, destruction of personal properties and forceful displacements and called on the UN to send U.N monitoring mission to Sri Lanka. The need for a U.N. monitoring mission in Sri Lanka is greater than ever. HRW also urged the UNHRC to pressure both the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to respect and protect the innocent civilians in Sri Lanka.

Uganda: UNHCR chief vows to do more for displaced in northern Uganda

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres pledged Tuesday to do more to support the return of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people (IDP) in northern Uganda. During a visit to the north, where an estimated 850,000 people still live in IDP sites, Guterres said it was "our obligation to help," adding that Uganda had been a generous host nation to refugees from neighbouring countries and deserved support and solidarity from the international community.” All of us in the international community are ready to work in support of the Ugandan government," Guterres told hundreds of IDPs gathered in a dusty football field in Kalongo, an IDP site which hosted 65,000 people at its peak in 2005. Some 17,000 IDPs remain in this area in northern Uganda

Source: http://www.voicelesswatch.com/Bulletins/CurrentBulletin