Iraq: Hostage Taking and Murdering People breach "Fundamental Standards of Humanity" by UN News / Human Rights Watch / Amnesty 7:27pm 23rd Jul, 2004   22/06/2004 (United Nations News)    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan: "The Secretary-General is very concerned about the recent trend of hostage-taking in Iraq.. The Secretary-General condemns all such acts of hostage-taking, which can have no justification and are aimed at undermining international efforts to help restore peace and security in Iraq.  The Secretary-General strongly appeals for the immediate and safe release of all hostages being held.    12 May 2004 (Amnesty International)    Amnesty International condemns in the strongest terms the abduction and beheading of civilians by armed groups in Iraq. The organization is appalled by the public display of the victim's execution by the group.    The killing of prisoners is one of the most serious crimes under international law. It is a war crime, and if part of a deliberate and systematic attack against a civilian population, it would also constitute a crime against humanity. "Such acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and constitute a serious crime under international law. Those responsible should be brought to justice in line with international standards," said Amnesty International.    "Armed groups must release immediately and without any precondition all hostages, and should refrain from deliberately attacking, abducting and killing civilians."    Political and community leaders in Iraq should exercise their influence to ensure an end to the taking and killing of hostages...Hundreds of civilians, Iraqis and foreigners, have been deliberately killed by armed groups or individuals in Iraq... Amnesty International believes that the cycle of violence in Iraq will only be broken if all parties fully respect international human rights standards.    12 May 2004 (Human Rights Watch)    "Holding someone hostage, and then brutally murdering him, is a heinous crime that no political cause can justify. Those responsible for these atrocities that have killed scores of civilians.. should be apprehended and brought to justice". Joe Stork, Washington Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division.
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