April 2003 • Rockbites Alternative Daily
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Iraq: the responsibilities of the occupying powers 14 April 2003
Before the start of the war on Iraq, Amnesty International and other human rights activist groups warned the United States and Britain that chaos would ensue following the overthrow of the standing regime. They also reminded the soon-to-be-occupying powers of their obligations under international law to protect the country’s citizens during the period of disorder. Here’s Amnesty’s full press release, issued this past Friday... Iraq: immediate measures needed to restore law and order As widespread looting and disorder continue in many parts of Iraq, including Baghdad, Amnesty International is reminding the Coalition forces as occupying powers of their specific responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law. “As forces of an occupying power they should urgently take measures to enforce law and order in the areas under their control, specifically by preventing acts of pillage, destruction, and violence to persons,” the organization said. The US and UK authorities were respectively warned in advance of the conflict, including by Amnesty International, that there was a grave risk that the fall of the Iraqi regime might precipitate such disorder and grave human rights violations, including reprisal killings. “The Coalition forces must live up to their responsibilities and do all in their power to protect the right of all the people in Iraq.” In addition, the health situation in Iraq is very critical with many hospitals, especially in Baghdad, unable to deal with the very high number of casualties. Access to health care and medicines is becoming very difficult as stocks are running low. There are acute shortages of badly needed drugs such as pain-killers, antibiotics and anaesthetics. “The Coalition forces also have the obligation to ensure the provisions of food and medical supplies to the inhabitants in the areas under their control. They are also required to maintain the medical and hospital establishments and services, public health and hygiene,” Amnesty International added. Background Article 43 of the Hague Regulations spells out the specific responsibilities of occupying powers under international humanitarian law. These include the duty to restore and maintain public order and safety. Article 55 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states that “...to the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying power has the duty to ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate.” | Amnesty International's Iraq page | | AI's act now page for Iraq | | Hague Regulations (1907) | | Geneva Convention (1949) | | top of page | |
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