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For immediate release: Wednesday 22 March 2000
Charity calls on UN to remember Iraq's children
Leading international children's charity Save the Children today called upon
the United Nations Security Council to uphold humanitarian and human rights
principles in its actions relating to Iraq. In a joint agencies open letter
the charity indicated its concern at the lack of commitment within the
Council to address the humanitarian situation in Iraq. This is to be
discussed by the Council in New York on Friday 24 March. Save the
Children's director general Mike Aaronson explains:
"Save the Children welcomes the forthcoming debate in the
Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Iraq but is gravely
concerned that the humanitarian improvements specified in the December
resolution on Iraq have yet to be fully implemented. Iraq's children can
not afford to wait. There are $1.77 billion worth of contracts on hold
which are vital for urgent water and sanitation work.
"Save the Children believes that there is a need for
longer-term development principles in Iraq. Dependency on handouts and the
continued isolation and alienation of young Iraqis is not only undermining
their rights but perpetuating the next generation's hostility towards the
international community. Within the Security Council however there is a
continued refusal to address the core problems in the design of the
sanctions regime. There is an urgent need for cash and investment in
infrastructure which the UN must address. Real change for Iraq's children
will only come about when they are better educated, fed, housed and
protected from violence and abuse. Only this long-term focus will
strengthen Iraqi civil society."
Save the Children has been active in Iraq since 1991, but now works only in
Northern Iraq focusing on long term reconstruction, promoting alternatives
to institutionalised care, juvenile justice and human resource development
in local authorities and local NGOs
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DISCLAIMER
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the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Save the
Children Fund, unless otherwise specifically stated. If the content
of this email is to become contractually binding, it must be made in
writing & signed by a duly authorised representative of The Save the
Children Fund.
The Save the Children Fund
17, Grove Lane
London SE5 8RD
UK.
Tel 0171 703 5400
Fax 0171 703 2278
www.savethechildren.org.uk
A company registered in London No 178159. Limited by Guarantee
Registered Charity No 213890
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