Link: web.amnesty.org (extern) (Archiv-Version vom 25.08.2006)AI Index: MDE 02/018/2006 23 August 2006
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
AI Index: MDE 02/018/2006 (Public)
News Service No:219
23 August 2006
Embargo Date: 23 August 2006 00:01 GMT
Israel/Lebanon: Evidence indicates deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure
Amnesty International today published findings that point to an Israeli policy ofdeliberate destruction of Lebanese civilian infrastructure, which included war crimes,during the recent conflict.
The organization's latest publication shows howIsrael's destruction of thousands of homes, and strikes on numerous bridges and roads aswell as water and fuel storage plants, was an integral part of Israel's military strategyin Lebanon, rather than “collateral damage” resulting from the lawful targeting ofmilitary objectives.
The report reinforces the case for an urgent, comprehensiveand independent UN inquiry into grave violations of international humanitarian lawcommitted by both Hizbullah and Israel during their month-long conflict.
"Israel’s assertion that the attacks on the infrastructure were lawful is manifestlywrong. Many of the violations identified in our report are war crimes, includingindiscriminate and disproportionate attacks. The evidence strongly suggests that theextensive destruction of power and water plants, as well as the transport infrastructurevital for food and other humanitarian relief, was deliberate and an integral part of amilitary strategy," said Kate Gilmore, Executive Deputy Secretary General of AmnestyInternational.
The Israeli government has argued that they were targetingHizbullah positions and support facilities and that other damage done to civilianinfrastructure was a result of Hizbullah using the civilian population as a "humanshield".
"The pattern, scope and scale of the attacks makes Israel's claim thatthis was 'collateral damage', simply not credible,” said Kate Gilmore, Executive DeputySecretary General of Amnesty International.
"Civilian victims on both sides ofthis conflict deserve justice. The serious nature of violations committed makes aninvestigation into the conduct of both parties urgent. There must be accountability forthe perpetrators of war crimes and reparation for the victims.”
The report,Deliberate destruction or 'collateral damage'? Israeli attacks against civilianinfrastructure, is based on first-hand information gathered by recent AmnestyInternational research missions to Lebanon and Israel, including interviews with dozensof victims, officials from the UN, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and Lebanese government,as well as official statements and press reports.
The report includes evidenceof the following:
* Massive destruction by Israeli forces of whole civilianneighbourhoods and villages;
* Attacks on bridges in areas of no apparentstrategic importance;
* Attacks on water pumping stations, water treatment plantsand supermarkets despite the prohibition against targeting objects indispensable to thesurvival of the civilian population;
* Statements by Israeli military officialsindicating that the destruction of civilian infrastructure was indeed a goal of Israel’smilitary campaign designed to press the Lebanese government and the civilian populationto turn against Hizbullah.
The report exposes a pattern of indiscriminateand disproportionate attacks, which resulted in the displacement of twenty-five percentof the civilian population. This pattern, taken together with official statements,indicates that the attacks on infrastucture were deliberate, and not simply incidental tolawful military objectives.
Amnesty International is calling for acomprehensive, independent and impartial inquiry to be urgently established by the UNinto violations of international humanitarian law by both sides in the conflict. Itshould examine in particular the impact of this conflict on the civilian population, andshould be undertaken with a view to holding individuals responsible for crimes underinternational law and ensuring that full reparation is provided to the victims.
To see the report: Deliberate destruction or 'collateral damage'? Israeli attacksagainst civilian infrastructure,please goto:
http://web.amnesty.org.library/index/engmde180072006PublicDocument
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http://news.amnesty.orgAI Index: MDE 02/018/2006 23 August 2006