The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
Hello all. Glenn here. Amnesty International had its 2-yearly international meeting last weekend. It was formally agreed that AI should start working on sanctions, though the time frame for this is anyone's guess at the moment. Could be they decide on the need for a 'pilot study' or something like that. Still, many sections were enthusiastic for AI to begin work ASAP, notably the USA, UK, English speaking Canada, Ireland, Tunisia, France, Australia, Switzerland, Finland, Togo and others . After withdrawing its own (rendered irrelevant) motion, AI Ireland, who have been very vocal on the sanctions issue, thanks I suspect to hard work by grass-roots members, asked that the following statement be entered into the minutes of the ICM: "The Irish section had specifically focused on the need for Amnesty to address the impact of the sanctions on Iraq. No matter where one points the blame for the current humanitarian crisis situation in Iraq, it is clear that it is the imposition of the sanctions that has created the context wherein the Iraqi nation is slowly being destroyed. The sanctions have been in place now for eleven years and there is no end in sight. They have led directly to the deaths of up to 15 million [I assume this is a typo that should read '1.5 million'] people and the economic collapse of the country. The Irish section, supported by many others, including AI Tunisia, AIUK, AIUSA and AI France asks the Secretary General to prioritize work on sanctions on Iraq in light of our new policy." Has the dinosaur awoken? Cheers Glenn -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://www.casi.org.uk