'Protect civilians' - Amnesty
26/03/2003 08:23  - (SA)  

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London - Amnesty International on Wednesday called on all military authorities involved in the war in Iraq to step up protection of Iraqi civilians as fighting increased in urban areas.

"As fighting increasingly moves into urban areas it is essential that the military authorities step up their attempts to protect civilians," the human rights group said in a written statement issued in London.

"We have seen reports from Basra of the impact that urban warfare can have on civilians and we are seeking explicit information from the military authorities on the steps they have taken to minimise civilian casualties," Amnesty said.

The organisation called on "all parties" in the conflict to "adhere strictly to the rules of international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians or civilian objects".

Amnesty said there should be "no direct attack on civilians or civilian objects" and "no attack on the infrastructure even if used for military purposes".

It also warned against "attacks on media outlets solely because they are being used for propaganda purposes", concluding that all parties should refrain from using civilians as "human shields". - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA

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