Human Rights High Commissioner calls for investigation

United Nations, Geneva, 4 June 2009: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay wants an independent investigation into the high rate of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

She said this as she updated the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights problems in various parts of the world.

The High Commissioner devoted a significant portion of her statement to the plight of civilians in armed conflict.

She spoke specifically of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Palestine, Colombia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Chad and Sri Lanka and pleaded for protection for civilians and for justice for victims of violations.

Mrs Pillay attributed the largest portion of responsibility for civilian deaths in Afghanistan to anti-government elements, through suicide attacks, improvised explosive devices and targeted killings.

But she added civilians continue to be killed by pro-government forces as well, particularly in air strikes.

She cited the incident in the Farah province in May in which dozens of Afghan civilians were killed in a US air bombardment.

The UN Human Rights Chief urged the Afghan government and all states involved in the conflict to take measures to protect civilians, ensure an independent investigation of all civilian casualties as well as justice and remedies for victims.

High Commissioner Pillay stressed her concern for civilians affected by the conflict and terrorism in Pakistan.

She pointed to killings and injuries in insurgent attacks and bombings on Pakistan's major cities and to civilian casualties of counter-insurgency operations, "including by international forces operating from neighbouring Afghanistan".

Her office was ready to help the Pakistan protect the rights of the 2.5 million displaced by the fighting in the northwest of the country.

The High Commissioner repeated her call for an independent international inquiry into human rights violations allegedly committed by the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers in the recently concluded Sri Lanka civil war.

Mrs Pillay reiterated. the need for unfettered humanitarian access to internally- displaced people held in closed camps and for their freedom of movement.

Link to entire speech: http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/11th/statements/HC_Stmt.pdf

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