PCHR
condemns the bombing that targeted the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad
on Tuesday, 19 August 2003. This act of terrorism resulted in the deaths of at
least 20 people and wounded over 100, in the worst attack against a United
Nations mission in the organization’s history.

PCHR
condemns in no uncertain terms the individuals responsible for this senseless
act, which targeted the indispensable humanitarian and human rights services
that the United Nations is providing to the Iraqi people. The UN presence in
Iraq is vitally needed and their role in promoting civil society and
self-determination in the country is demanded by many in the Arab world, as
well as the wider international community. We are hopeful that the partial
evacuation of UN staff to Amman will only be a temporary measure and commend
the UN’s resolve to fulfill its mandate to the people of Iraq.

The
death of the UN special envoy to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello is a loss that
will be felt throughout the international community. Palestinian civil society
welcomed the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s appointment of Mr. Vieira de
Mello as his special representative to Iraq and he was also greatly admired for
his work as High Commissioner for Human Rights – his permanent position at the
UN. Mr. Vieira de Mello was known as a tireless human rights campaigner and
respected diplomat, whose convictions and
efforts at promoting the universality of human rights will continue to be felt
around the globe.

While
acknowledging the severity of the attack and the need to find those
responsible, we hope that the hunt for the perpetrators of this cowardly act
will not result in widespread human rights abuses. We pay tribute to those who
died in the attack and hope that the international community will band together
at this most crucial time to ensure that the people of Iraq are not the
long-term casualties of this crime.

Signture:

 · Al Haq

 · Palestinian Independent
Commission for Citizens’ Rights

 · Palestinian Centre for
Human Rights