The United Nations top human rights official on Tuesday denounced the
killing of civilians and injured people in Fallujah, saying violators
of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice. Louise
Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, spoke in general
terms and did not specifically mention insurgents' attacks against
hostages or a U.S. military report that it is investigating the
videotaped fatal shooting of a wounded man by a U.S. Marine in a mosque
in Fallujah. "There have been a number of reports during the current
confrontation alleging violations of the rules of war designed to
protect civilians and combatants," Arbour said in a statement. "All
violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law must
be investigated and those responsible for breaches -- including the
deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate
attacks, the killing of injured persons and the use of human shields --
must be brought to justice, be they members of the multinational force
or insurgents," Arbour said. She also complained of she said was a lack
of independent access to civilians trapped in Fallujah during the
U.S.-led assault and an absence of information on the number of
civilians casualties. [more]
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