The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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This may be helpful to all list members, esp. those concerned about an A.I. response to the debate re. Amnesty's position on sanctions. B.G. >From: information@amnesty.org.uk >Reply-To: information@amnesty.org.uk >To: gedinbert@hotmail.com >Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: [casi] Full Amnesty Report on Iraq 2002 >Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 12:24:32 +0100 > > >Dear Bert, > >Thank you for your email, and sorry for the delay in you receiving this >reply. > >As I am sure you will understand, by the very nature of our work we are >unfortunately bound to receive criticism regarding our publications, and >are sometimes ironically accused of bias by all sides involved. However, >Amnesty International's work is grounded in accurate research, not in >hearsay, rumour, or biased or slanted reports. We collect and cross-check >information from a wide variety of sources, as well as - where possible - >sending fact-finding missions to assess the situation on the ground. Each >piece of information is rigorously checked before ever reaching the stage >of being released into the public domain. In order to safeguard the safety >of our sources, it is obviously not possible to release information about >their identities. > >As regards the human rights records of other countries bordering Iraq, this >is irrelevant to the violations occurring within its own borders and >certainly would not lessen their importance. Unfortunately it is true to >say that violations occur all over the world, however, Amnesty >International looks at countries on their individual records and we do not >'rank' countries by comparing them to others. We are concerned with ending >the specific human rights violations themselves, which will always remain >our paramount concern. We maintain a comprehensive website that contains >full copies of all our news releases, reports, and Annual Reports >(post-1996) where all of the information that we have published on any >country is accessible: www.amnesty.org.uk > >Independence and impartiality are fundamental principles in the work of >Amnesty International. We do not support or oppose any government or >political organisation. As you will understand, human rights are universal >and cannot be selective and it is in this respect that Amnesty >International campaign for all human rights regardless of political >ideology, religious beliefs or cultural, social or economic identity. > >As regards the point about 'western values', one only needs to look at the >reports that have been issued about the situation in countries across the >world to see that this is a baseless accusation. Additionally, the writer >neglects to mention that the Annual Report does, in fact, also mention >civilian deaths arising out of US and UK air strikes on the country. For >the full text, please visit the following link: >http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/mde/iraq!Open > >With reference to sanctions, Amnesty International does not take a position >with regard to this matter, regardless of which country may be targeted. >In relation to sanctions imposed against Iraq, we believe that the UN >Security Council has a duty to periodically review the impact of sanctions >on the Iraqi population and take appropriate action. For further >information I would draw your attention to the following news release: >http://web.amnesty.org/802568F7005C4453/0/4F73342E9B9713128025690000693317?Open&Highlight=2,sanctions > >I hope that you find this information useful. Thank you for your continued >concern and support, and apologies once again for the delay. > >Yours sincerely > > >Information and Publicity Office >Amnesty International UK _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk